Day 84 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 24 March 2024 reflections
Day 83, 24 March 2024
Today at Calvary Community Church
Pastor Nathan Zeiber spoke on Something Greater: The Search
Acts 8:9-13
Simon the Sorcerer Believes
9 (Ac 5:36; 13:6) Now a man named Simon was previously in the city practicing
sorcery and astonishing the nation of Samaria, saying he was someone great,
10 (Ac 14:11; 28:6) to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest,
saying, "This man is the great power of God."
11 (Gal 3:1) They listened to him, because for a long time he had astonished
them by his sorceries.
12 (Ac 1:3; 2:38) But when they believed Philip preaching about the kingdom
of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
13 (Ac 8:6-7; 19:11) Even Simon himself believed. And when he was baptized,
he continued with Philip and was amazed as he watched the miracles
and signs which were done.
[9] But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same
city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that
himself was some great one:
[10] To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying,
This man is the great power of God.
[11] And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched
them with sorceries.
[12] But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the
kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men
and women.
[13] Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he
continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which
were done.
Though Simon was known for his Craft, Simon accepted the Good News from
Philip.
Romans 8:37-39
37 (1Co 15:57; Gal 2:20) No, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through Him who loved us.
38 (Eph 1:21; 1Pe 3:22) For I am persuaded that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor principalities nor powers, neither things present
nor things to come,
39 (Ro 5:8) neither height nor depth, nor any other created thing,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus
our Lord.
[37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that
loved us.
[38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew 11:28-30
28 (Jn 7:37; 6:37) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened,
and I will give you rest.
29 (Jer 6:16; Jn 13:15) Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me.
For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
[Jer 6:16. ]
30 (1Jn 5:3) For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
[28] Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest.
[29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
[30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
1) Joshua 9 , 10, 11
JOSHUA 9
The Gibeonite Deception
1 (Nu 34:6; Ex 3:17) When all the kings west of the Jordan
in the hill country, in the low country, and along all the coast
of the Mediterranean Sea toward Lebanon-the Hittite, the Amorite,
the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite kings
-heard this,
2 they gathered together as one to wage war against Joshua and Israel.
3 (Jos 10:2; 9:17) But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua
had done to Jericho and Ai,
4 they acted craftily, and took old sacks on their donkeys,
and old wineskins, torn and mended,
5 old and patched sandals on their feet, and old garments on themselves.
All the bread of their provision was dry and crumbly.
6 (Jos 5:10) They went to Joshua at the Gilgal settlement and said to him
and the children of Israel, "We have come from a distant land.
Now make a pact with us."
7 (Jos 11:19; Jdg 2:2_ Then the children of Israel said to these Hivites,
"Perhaps you live among us, so how could we make a pact with you?"
8 (Dt 20:11; 2Ki 10:5) Yet they said to Joshua, "We are your slaves."
Joshua said to them, "Who are you, and where do you come from?"
9 (Dt 20:15; Jos 9:24) They said to him, "We, your slaves, have come
from a very distant land because of the name of the Lord your God,
for we heard news of Him and all He did in Egypt
10 (Nu 21:24-35; Dt 1:4) and all that He did to the two Amorite kings
on the other side of the Jordan, King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan
in Ashtaroth.
11 (Est 8:17; Jos 9:8) So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country
said to us, 'Take food provisions for the journey and go to meet them.
Say to them, "We are your slaves. So now, make a pact with us." '
12 This bread of ours was hot as we took it from our homes on the day
we left to come to you, but now, see, it is dry and crumbly.
13 These wineskins that we filled were new, but see, they are ripped open.
These clothes and sandals wore out due to the very long journey."
14 (Nu 27:21) So the men examined some of the food provisions,
but they did not ask the Lord about it.
15 (2Sa 21:2; Jos 11:19) Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant
with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore
an oath to them.
16 Three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that
they were neighbors to them and lived among them.
17 (Jos 18:25-28; 1Sa 7:1) So the children of Israel set out
and came to their cities on the third day. Their cities were Gibeon,
Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim.
18 (Ps 15:4) Now the children of Israel did not attack them,
for the leaders of the congregation had sworn an oath to them by the Lord,
the God of Israel, so the congregation murmured against the leaders.
19 Yet all the leaders said to the whole congregation,
"We swore to them by the Lord God of Israel, so now we may not harm them.
20 This is what we will do to them. We will let them live so that wrath
will not come upon us due to the oath that we swore to them."
21 (Dt 29:11; Jos 9:23) The leaders of the congregation also said to them,
"Let them live!" So they became woodcutters and water carriers
for the whole congregation, as the leaders told them.
22 (Jos 9:6; 9:16) Joshua met them and said,
"Why did you trick us, saying, 'We are very distant from you,'
but you are living in our midst?
23 (Jos 9:21; 9:27) Therefore now you are cursed, and you will
always be slaves, cutting wood and carrying water for the house of my God."
24 (Dt 7:1-2) They answered Joshua, "It was told to your slaves that the Lord
your God commanded Moses His servant to give you all the land
and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you.
So we were very afraid for our lives, and we did this thing.
25 (Ge 16:6) Now here we are, in your hands.
Do to us whatever is good and right in your eyes."
26 Thus he did to them, and delivered them from the hand
of the children of Israel; and they did not kill them.
27 (Dt 12:5) That day he made them woodcutters and water carriers
for the congregation and the altar of the Lord, even to this day,
at the place He would choose.
Joshua 9
[1] And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan,
in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea
over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the
Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
[2] That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with
Israel, with one accord.
[3] And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto
Jericho and to Ai,
[4] They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors,
and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and
bound up;
[5] And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them;
and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.
[6] And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and
to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a
league with us.
[7] And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among
us; and how shall we make a league with you?
[8] And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto
them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye?
[9] And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come
because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him,
and all that he did in Egypt,
[10] And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond
Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at
Ashtaroth.
[11] Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to
us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and
say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us.
[12] This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the
day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is
mouldy:
[13] And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they
be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of
the very long journey.
[14] And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth
of the LORD.
[15] And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let
them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.
[16] And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a
league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that
they dwelt among them.
[17] And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the
third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and
Kirjath-jearim.
[18] And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the
congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the
congregation murmured against the princes.
[19] But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto
them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
[20] This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon
us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.
[21] And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers
of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had
promised them.
[22] And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore
have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among
us?
[23] Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from
being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my
God.
[24] And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy
servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you
all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before
you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have
done this thing.
[25] And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right
unto thee to do unto us, do.
[26] And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the
children of Israel, that they slew them not.
[27] And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for
the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the
place which he should choose.
[Make your decisions in prayer being taking action]
JOSHUA 10
The Sun Stands Still
1 (Jos 6:21) Now when King Adoni-Zedek of Jerusalem heard that Joshua
captured Ai and destroyed it, doing to Ai and its king as he had done to
Jericho and its king, and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace
with Israel and were among them,
2 (Ex 15:14-16; Dt 11:25) he and his people were very afraid. Gibeon
was a large city, like one of the royal cities. It was larger than Ai,
and all its men were warriors.
3 (2Ch 11:9; Mic 1:13) So King Adoni-Zedek of Jerusalem sent this message
to King Hoham of Hebron, King Piram of Jarmuth, King Japhia of Lachish,
and King Debir of Eglon:
4 (Jos 9:15; 10:1) "Come and help me! Let us attack Gibeon, for it has made
peace with Joshua and all the children of Israel."
5 So the five kings of the Amorites-the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth,
Lachish, and Eglon-and all their armies gathered, advanced, and camped
against Gibeon. Then they waged war against it.
6 (Jos 5:10; 9:6) The men of Gibeon sent this message to Joshua at the Gilgal
settlement: "Do not abandon your slaves. Come up to us quickly. Save us!
Help us! For all the Amorite kings living in the hill country have gathered
against us."
7 (Jos 8:1) So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with
him, and all the mighty men of valor.
8 (Dt 3:2; Jos 11:6) The Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them,
for I have given them into your hand. Not a single man can stand before you."
9 Then Joshua came upon them suddenly, having marched all night from Gilgal.
10 (Jos 16:3; 16:5) The Lord panicked them before Israel. They struck them
with overwhelming force at Gibeon, then Israel pursued them on the road
that rises to Beth Horon and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah.
11 (Isa 28:2; Ps 18:12-14) As they fled from Israel on the downslope
from Beth Horon, the Lord hurled large hailstones down upon them from the sky
as far as Azekah. They died, and in fact more died from the hailstones
than the children of Israel killed with the sword.
12 (Hab 3:11; Jdg 12:12) On the day the Lord gave over the Amorites
to the children of Israel, Joshua spoke to the Lord
and said in full view of Israel:
"Sun, stand still over Gibeon;
and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon."
13 (2Sa 1:18; Isa 38:8) So the sun stood still,
and the moon stood in place
until the people brought vengeance on their enemies.
Is this not written in the book of Jashar?
The sun stood still in the middle of the sky and did not set
for about a full day.
14 (Jos 10:42; Dt 1:30) There has not been a day like this either
before or after it, when the Lord obeyed a man,
for the Lord waged war for Israel.
15 (Jos 10:43) Then Joshua, and all Israel with him,
returned to the settlement at Gilgal.
Joshua 10
[1] Now it came to pass, when Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;
[2] That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty.
[3] Wherefore Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,
[4] Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.
[5] Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the
king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.
[6] And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.
[7] So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour.
[8] And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.
[9] Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all
night.
[10] And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great
slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to
Beth-horon, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.
[11] And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the
going down to Beth-horon, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven
upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with
hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.
[12] Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the
Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel,
Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
[13] And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had
avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of
Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go
down about a whole day.
[14] And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD
hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.
[15] And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.
The Execution of Five Amorite Kings
16 Yet these five kings fled and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah.
17 Joshua was told, "The five kings have been found hiding themselves
in the cave at Makkedah."
18 So Joshua said, "Roll large stones over the mouth of the cave,
and station men to stand guard over it.
19 As for you, do not stop pursuing your enemies, but attack them
from behind. Do not let them go back to their cities, for the Lord
your God has given them into your hand."
20 (Jos 8:24) When Joshua and the children of Israel had finished
striking them with overwhelming force until they were completely
defeated, the survivors escaped from them and went back
to their fortified cities.
21 (Ex 11:7) Then all the people returned safely to Joshua at the Makkedah
settlement, and no one spoke against any of the children of Israel.
22 Joshua said, "Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out to me those
five kings from the cave."
23 They did this, and they brought out those five kings from the cave:
the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon.
24 (Mal 4:3; Ps 110:1) When they brought out those five kings to Joshua,
he called out to all the men of Israel and the army commanders,
"Come here and place your feet on the necks of these kings."
So they came near and placed their feet on their necks.
25 (Dt 7:19; 31:6-8) Then Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid or dismayed.
Be strong and courageous! For this is what the Lord will do to
all your enemies against whom you fight."
26 (Jos 8:29) After that, Joshua struck them down, killed them,
and hung them on five trees. They were hanging on the trees until evening.
27 (Jos 8:29) At sundown Joshua commanded men to take them down from
the trees and throw them into the cave in which they had hidden themselves.
Over the mouth of the cave he placed large stones, which remain to this day.
[16] But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.
[17] And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave
at Makkedah.
[18] And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set
men by it for to keep them:
[19] And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost
of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the LORD your God
hath delivered them into your hand.
[20] And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an
end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed,
that the rest which remained of them entered into fenced cities.
[21] And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace:
none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.
[22] Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five
kings unto me out of the cave.
[23] And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the
cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the
king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.
[24] And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua,
that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of
the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks
of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of
them.
[25] And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of
good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye
fight.
[26] And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five
trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening.
[27] And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that
Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into
the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's
mouth, which remain until this very day.
Southern Cities Conquered
28 (Jos 6:21) Joshua took Makkedah that day and struck it and its king
with the edge of the sword. He destroyed it and all life within it.
He did not leave any survivors. He did to the king of Makkedah
just as he did to the king of Jericho.
29 (Jos 21:13; 15:42) Then Joshua passed from Makkedah to Libnah
with all of Israel, and they fought against Libnah.
30 The Lord gave Libnah and its king into the hand of Israel,
and they struck all who lived in it with the edge of the sword.
There were no survivors left. They did to its king what they had done
to the king of Jericho.
31 (Jos 10:3) Then Joshua passed from Libnah to Lachish with all of Israel,
camped against it, and waged war against it.
32 The Lord gave Lachish into the hand of Israel. They captured it on the
second day and struck all who lived in it with the edge of the sword,
just as they had done to Libnah.
33( Jos 16:10; Jdg 1:29) King Horam of Gezer came up to help Lachish,
but Joshua attacked him and his people
until he did not have a single survivor left.
34 (Jos 10:3) From Lachish, Joshua and all of Israel passed to Eglon.
They camped against it and waged war against it.
35 They captured it that day and struck it with the edge of the sword.
All who lived in it were destroyed that day,
just as Israel had done to Lachish.
36 (Jdg 1:10; Jos 15:13) Then Joshua and all of Israel went up from Eglon
to Hebron and waged war against it.
37 They captured it and struck its king, and all who lived in it,
and its surrounding towns with the edge of the sword.
No survivor was left. Just as they had done to Eglon, they destroyed it
and all who lived in it.
38 (Jos 15:15) Then Joshua and all of Israel turned to Debir and waged war
against it.
39 They captured it, its king, and all its surrounding towns and struck
them with the edge of the sword. They destroyed all who lived in them,
and no survivor was left. As he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir
and its king as they had done to Libnah and its king.
40 So Joshua attacked the whole land: the hill country, the Negev,
the lowlands, the mountain slopes, and all their kings. No survivor was left.
He destroyed all who breathed, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded.
41 (Jos 11:16; 15:51) Joshua attacked the land from Kadesh Barnea to Gaza
and the land of Goshen as far as Gibeon.
42 (Jos 10:14) Joshua captured all these kings and their land in one campaign
because the Lord God of Israel waged war for Israel.
43 (Jos 10:15) Then Joshua and all of Israel returned
to the settlement at Gilgal.
[28] And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the
sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls
that were therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as
he did unto the king of Jericho.
[29] Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, unto Libnah,
and fought against Libnah:
[30] And the LORD delivered it also, and the king thereof, into the hand of
Israel; and he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that
were therein; he let none remain in it; but did unto the king thereof as he
did unto the king of Jericho.
[31] And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish,
and encamped against it, and fought against it:
[32] And the LORD delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, which took it
on the second day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the
souls that were therein, according to all that he had done to Libnah.
[33] Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua smote him
and his people, until he had left him none remaining.
[34] And from Lachish Joshua passed unto Eglon, and all Israel with him; and
they encamped against it, and fought against it:
[35] And they took it on that day, and smote it with the edge of the sword,
and all the souls that were therein he utterly destroyed that day, according
to all that he had done to Lachish.
[36] And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron;
and they fought against it:
[37] And they took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king
thereof, and all the cities thereof, and all the souls that were therein; he
left none remaining, according to all that he had done to Eglon; but
destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that were therein.
[38] And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought
against it:
[39] And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and
they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the
souls that were therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron,
so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof; as he had done also to Libnah,
and to her king.
[40] So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of
the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining,
but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel
commanded.
[41] And Joshua smote them from Kadesh-barnea even unto Gaza, and all the
country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon.
[42] And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because
the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.
[43] And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.
JOSHUA 11
Northern Kings Defeated
1 (Jos 11:10; Jdg 4:2) When King Jabin of Hazor heard these things,
he sent word to King Jobab of Madon, the king of Shimron, the king of Akshaph,
2 (Jos 12:3; Nu 34:11) and the kings of the northern hill country,
the Arabah south of Kinnereth, the low country, and the heights of Dor
in the west,
3 (Jdg 3:3; Ge 31:49) to the Canaanites in the east and in the west,
the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites in the hill country,
and the Hivites at Mount Hermon in the land of Mizpah.
4 (Jdg 7:12; 1Sa 13:5) So these kings went out with all their armies,
people as numerous as grains of sand on the seashore,
with a large number of horses and chariots.
5 These kings all met and camped together at the waters of Merom
in order to wage war against Israel.
6 (Jos 10:8; 2Sa 8:4) The Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them,
for about this time tomorrow I will make them dead before Israel.
Hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire."
7 ( Jos 10:9) So Joshua and all his fighting forces came upon them
by surprise at the waters of Merom and fell upon them.
8 (Jos 13:6; 19:28) The Lord gave them into the hand of Israel.
They struck them down and pursued them all the way to Greater Sidon,
Misrephoth Maim, and Mizpah Valley to the east. They struck them
down until no survivor remained.
9 (Jos 11:6) Joshua did to them as the Lord had said.
He hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire.
10 (Jos 11:1; Jdg 4:2) At that time Joshua turned, captured Hazor,
and struck down its king with the sword. Hazor was formerly
the head of all these kingdoms.
11 (Jos 10:40) They struck all who lived in them with the edge
of the sword, destroying them. No one who breathed was left,
and he burned Hazor with fire.
12 (Dt 7:2; 20:16-17) Joshua captured all these kings and their towns.
He struck with the edge of the sword, destroying them, as Moses
the servant of the Lord had commanded.
13 However, Israel did not burn any of the cities that stood
on mounds except Hazor. Joshua burned it.
14 The children of Israel plundered all the goods and the livestock
of these cities, but they struck all the people with the edge of the sword
until they destroyed them. They did not spare anyone who breathed.
15 (Jos 1:7; Dt 7:2) As the Lord commanded Moses His servant,
so Moses commanded Joshua, and Joshua did it.
He did not ignore a word of all that the Lord commanded Moses.
16 (Jos 10:41; 11:21) So Joshua took all that land: the hill country,
the Negev, all the land of Goshen, the lowland, the Arabah,
the hill country of Israel and its lowland.
17 (Dt 7:24; Jos 11:3) From Mount Halak to Seir, and as far as Baal Gad
in the Lebanon Valley under Mount Hermon: All their kings he captured,
struck down, and killed.
18 Joshua engaged all those kings in battle for a long time.
19 There was no city that made peace with the children of Israel
except the Hivites living in Gibeon. They conquered all of them
20 (Ex 4:21; Dt 20:16-17) because the Lord hardened their hearts
to engage Israel in battle. They destroyed them without mercy,
to put them to death, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
21 (Dt 9:2; Nu 13:22-23) At that time Joshua came and wiped out the
Anakites from the hill country: from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab,
from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel.
Joshua utterly destroyed them and their cities.
22 (1Sa 17:4; Jos 15:46) No Anakites were left in the land of the children
of Israel, but they did remain in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod.
23 (Nu 26:52-55; Jos 14:1-15) So Joshua took the whole land according
to all that the Lord had said to Moses.
Joshua gave it to Israel as an inheritance
according to their allotted portions by their tribes.
Then the land rested from war.
Joshua 11
[1] And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things,
that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the
king of Achshaph,
[2] And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the
plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on
the west,
[3] And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite,
and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and
to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.
[4] And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even
as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and
chariots very many.
[5] And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched
together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.
[6] And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to
morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou
shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.
[7] So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the
waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them.
[8] And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and
chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephoth-maim, and unto the valley
of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none
remaining.
[9] And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses,
and burnt their chariots with fire.
[10] And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king
thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those
kingdoms.
[11] And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the
sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he
burnt Hazor with fire.
[12] And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did
Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly
destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded.
[13] But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned
none of them, save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn.
[14] And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of
Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the
edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to
breathe.
[15] As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua,
and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded
Moses.
[16] So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and
all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of
Israel, and the valley of the same;
[17] Even from the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baal-gad in
the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and
smote them, and slew them.
[18] Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.
[19] There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save
the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle.
[20] For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come
against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they
might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded
Moses.
[21] And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the
mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of
Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly
with their cities.
[22] There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of
Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.
[23] So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto
Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their
divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.
[The Battle belongs to the Lord]
2) Our Daily Bread for 24 March 2024 titled
Renaissance in Jesus
John 12:23-26
23 (Jn 13:31-32) Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man
to be glorified.
24 Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground
and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.
25 (Mt 10:39; Lk 14:26) He who loves his life will lose it.
And he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26 (Jn 14:3; 17:24) If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me. Where I am,
there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
[23] And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man
should be glorified.
[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the
ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much
fruit.
[25] He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in
this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
[26] If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall
also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
We know Leonardo da Vinci as the renaissance man. His intellectual prowess
led to advances across multiple fields of study and the arts. Yet Leonardo
journaled of "these miserable days of ours" and lamented that we die
"without leaving behind any memory of ourselves in the mind of men."
"While I thought I was learning how to live," said Leonardo, "I was learning
how to die." He was closer to the truth than he may have realised. Learning
how to die is the way to life. After Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem
(what we now celebrate as Palm Sunday; see John 12:12–19), He said,
"Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only
a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds" (v. 24). He spoke
this about His own death but expanded it to include us all:
"Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their
life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (v. 25).
The apostle Paul wrote of being "buried" with Christ "through baptism
into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through
the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been
united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united
with him in a resurrection like his" (Romans 6:4-5).
Through His death, Jesus offers us rebirth-the very meaning of renaissance.
He has forged the way to eternal life with His Father.
By: Tim Gustafson
Reflect & Pray
How do you measure the value of your life?
How might you need to change those values?
Dear Father, I can find meaning and purpose nowhere else but in You.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 1 - The Joy of Confessing Christ
Romans 10:9-10
9 (Lk 12:8; Php 2:11)that if you confess with your mouth
Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from
the dead, you will be saved,
10 for with the heart one believes unto righteousness,
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be
saved.
[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.
Teena, a college freshman, has just committed her life to Christ,
but she was apprehensive about telling anyone - until Bill appeared
on the scene. He plunked his coffee cup down on the table and smiled.
"I heard something exciting happened to you yesterday, Teena"
"Yeah", Teena paused and looked around, as if seeking an escape route.
"I , uh, well, I did it"
"Did what?"
"Well, I, ah, gave my life to God."
"That's wonderful!" Bill exclaimed.
He was still talking with Teena and encouraging he in her decision
when Maria walked by.
"Maria!" Bill called. "Teena wants to tell you something!"
Teena gasped , open-mouthed, then stammered,
" I - I committed my life to Christ."
Maria , similarly enthuasiatic, encouraged Teena in her commitment,
and within half an hour Teena was stopping her friends to tell them,
"Guess what? I've become a Christian! I belng to Jesus now!"
Teena had already surrendered her heart to Christ.
But when she confessed her decision aloud to others,
the truth of that transformation was confirmed by her.
Many of us have been raised to believe that 'faith is a private matter',
not to be discussed in polite company. Yet Paul makes clear the connection
between heart commitment and verbal confession. Just as my love for family
and friends deepens as I tell them I love them, so a person's love
for Christ is confirmed and stabilised
by speaking of that commitment to others.
Application
a) Have I been reluctant to tell others of my faith in Christ? Why?
b) What happens within me when I do tell others of my love for the Lord?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Is 55:11
11 (Isa 45:23; 46:10) so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
11 so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:
it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are ill or injured
James 5:13-16
13 (Ps 50:15; Eph 5:19) Is anyone among you suffering?
Let him pray. Is anyone merry? Let him sing psalms.
14 (Mk 6:13; 16:18; Ac 14:23) Is anyone sick among you?
Let him call for the elders of the church,
and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil
in the name of the Lord.
15 (Isa 33:24; Jas 1:6) And the prayer of faith will save
the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.
And if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.
16 (Ge 20:17; 18:23-32) Confess your faults to one another
and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much.
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.
Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church;
and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise
him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another,
that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
Saskatchewan
Quick facts on Muslims in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan 2015 population 1125400
est Muslim Population 17279
CNMM Networks: Saskatoon
Saskatoon has seen quick growth in its Muslim population over the past
5 years, which maybe as high as 5000 today. Islamic leaders have
focused specifically on this city , having twice already sent cohorts
of about 70 families to start mosques. There are now 7 Islamic centres
of worship and an Islamic madrassah (school) located right next to a
Christian school.
Of particular concern recently is the number of young adults who grew up
in evangelical churches and converted to Islam. Most of these are young
women who were wooed by Muslim man and became emotionally bonded.
Both prior to and after marrying, these women are known to convert to Islam.
Agree in prayer with us for:
- entire congregations and individual believers to catch God's heart
and passion for reaching Muslims in Saskatoon and the other growing
Muslim population centres of Saskatchewan.
- for the eyes and understanding of Canadian youth to be opened to the
spiritual reality of Islam, and not deceived nor manipulated into
converting to a religion which cannot offer assurance of salvation.
- for the few workers among Muslims now engaged there, and for many more
to be raised up into effective witness.
- for prayer and training events that are starting in Saskatoon
to spread and grow to other cities.
Adding further
Pray for Muslims in Norway
Matthew 25:35
35 (Eze 18:7; 18:16) For I was hungry and you gave Me food,
I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in.
[35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave
me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mariam put her head down and tried to avoid eye-contact with anyone as she
walked quickly through the streets in Oslo, intent on getting home with the
groceries she had just purchased. Her hijab was woolen, and welcome against
the early winter chill, but it also made her a target for verbal harassment
from passersby.
Mariam had lived in Norway for 5 years since arriving with her husband from
Afghanistan, where they fled from worse harassment and the threat of death.
She had worked hard to learn to speak Norwegian and to adapt to the very
different food and weather. But here in Norway they had not made friends
with anyone outside of their mosque community and Mariam wondered
if they could ever feel truly at home.
Muslims make up only about 4% of the population in Norway but they are a great
concern to many non-Muslim Norwegians. The Muslim population in Norway is made
up almost entirely of first and second generation immigrant families, and they
mostly live in Norway’s urban centres. Many Norwegians living in rural areas
have little contact with Muslims, but surveys have shown there is nevertheless
a significant portion of the native population who are opposed to Muslim
immigration and who avoid contact with Muslims. Predictably, many immigrants
acknowledge that they have experienced prejudice or harassment.
Norway is known as a Christian nation, and it has a strong missionary history.
In earlier centuries, Norway was one of the largest sending nations of
missionaries in the world. Today, however, only a minority of Norwegians
are regular church-attenders.
How to Pray
Pray for Muslims immigrants in Norway as they are adapting
to a totally new way of life.
Pray for Norwegian Christians to revive their missionary heart
and be proactive in reaching out to Muslims in their nation
with the love of Jesus.
Pray for Muslims in Norway to hear about and follow Jesus,
as well as find fellowship with others.
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 24 of the Month
a) Pray that the Lord will open a door for the message for the Gospel
at every level of Canadian Society. (
Col 4:3
3 while praying also for us, that God would open to
us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in chains,
3 withal praying also for us, that God would open unto
us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in bonds:
)
b) Pray for the Province of Saskatchewan
I) Pray for the leaders of Saskatchewan,
that God's Spirit would influence
then to act justly,
serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use
the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord to know his Gift of Salvation and the relief
he can give you.
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him for all the decisions you make.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear Father, I can find meaning
and purpose nowhere else but in You."
Pray to the Lord and pray to confess to belonging to Jesus Christ.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know that
the Will of the Lord will be accomplished.
Pray to the Lord and pray for healing.
Agree in prayer with us for:
- entire congregations and individual believers to catch God's heart
and passion for reaching Muslims in Saskatoon and the other growing
Muslim population centres of Saskatchewan.
- for the eyes and understanding of Canadian youth to be opened to the
spiritual reality of Islam, and not deceived nor manipulated into
converting to a religion which cannot offer assurance of salvation.
- for the few workers among Muslims now engaged there, and for many more
to be raised up into effective witness.
- for prayer and training events that are starting in Saskatoon
to spread and grow to other cities.
Pray for Muslims immigrants in Norway as they are adapting
to a totally new way of life.
Pray for Norwegian Christians to revive their missionary heart
and be proactive in reaching out to Muslims in their nation
with the love of Jesus.
Pray for Muslims in Norway to hear about and follow Jesus,
as well as find fellowship with others.
Pray that the Lord will open a door for the message for the Gospel
at every level of Society.
Praise God for Azeri Christians who are faithfully proclaiming the Gospel
despite legal pressure and possible fines.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God
Today at Calvary Community Church
Pastor Nathan Zeiber spoke on Something Greater: The Search
Acts 8:9-13
Simon the Sorcerer Believes
9 (Ac 5:36; 13:6) Now a man named Simon was previously in the city practicing
sorcery and astonishing the nation of Samaria, saying he was someone great,
10 (Ac 14:11; 28:6) to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest,
saying, "This man is the great power of God."
11 (Gal 3:1) They listened to him, because for a long time he had astonished
them by his sorceries.
12 (Ac 1:3; 2:38) But when they believed Philip preaching about the kingdom
of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
13 (Ac 8:6-7; 19:11) Even Simon himself believed. And when he was baptized,
he continued with Philip and was amazed as he watched the miracles
and signs which were done.
[9] But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same
city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that
himself was some great one:
[10] To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying,
This man is the great power of God.
[11] And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched
them with sorceries.
[12] But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the
kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men
and women.
[13] Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he
continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which
were done.
Though Simon was known for his Craft, Simon accepted the Good News from
Philip.
Romans 8:37-39
37 (1Co 15:57; Gal 2:20) No, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through Him who loved us.
38 (Eph 1:21; 1Pe 3:22) For I am persuaded that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor principalities nor powers, neither things present
nor things to come,
39 (Ro 5:8) neither height nor depth, nor any other created thing,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus
our Lord.
[37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that
loved us.
[38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew 11:28-30
28 (Jn 7:37; 6:37) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened,
and I will give you rest.
29 (Jer 6:16; Jn 13:15) Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me.
For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
[Jer 6:16. ]
30 (1Jn 5:3) For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
[28] Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest.
[29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
[30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
1) Joshua 9 , 10, 11
JOSHUA 9
The Gibeonite Deception
1 (Nu 34:6; Ex 3:17) When all the kings west of the Jordan
in the hill country, in the low country, and along all the coast
of the Mediterranean Sea toward Lebanon-the Hittite, the Amorite,
the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite kings
-heard this,
2 they gathered together as one to wage war against Joshua and Israel.
3 (Jos 10:2; 9:17) But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua
had done to Jericho and Ai,
4 they acted craftily, and took old sacks on their donkeys,
and old wineskins, torn and mended,
5 old and patched sandals on their feet, and old garments on themselves.
All the bread of their provision was dry and crumbly.
6 (Jos 5:10) They went to Joshua at the Gilgal settlement and said to him
and the children of Israel, "We have come from a distant land.
Now make a pact with us."
7 (Jos 11:19; Jdg 2:2_ Then the children of Israel said to these Hivites,
"Perhaps you live among us, so how could we make a pact with you?"
8 (Dt 20:11; 2Ki 10:5) Yet they said to Joshua, "We are your slaves."
Joshua said to them, "Who are you, and where do you come from?"
9 (Dt 20:15; Jos 9:24) They said to him, "We, your slaves, have come
from a very distant land because of the name of the Lord your God,
for we heard news of Him and all He did in Egypt
10 (Nu 21:24-35; Dt 1:4) and all that He did to the two Amorite kings
on the other side of the Jordan, King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan
in Ashtaroth.
11 (Est 8:17; Jos 9:8) So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country
said to us, 'Take food provisions for the journey and go to meet them.
Say to them, "We are your slaves. So now, make a pact with us." '
12 This bread of ours was hot as we took it from our homes on the day
we left to come to you, but now, see, it is dry and crumbly.
13 These wineskins that we filled were new, but see, they are ripped open.
These clothes and sandals wore out due to the very long journey."
14 (Nu 27:21) So the men examined some of the food provisions,
but they did not ask the Lord about it.
15 (2Sa 21:2; Jos 11:19) Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant
with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore
an oath to them.
16 Three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that
they were neighbors to them and lived among them.
17 (Jos 18:25-28; 1Sa 7:1) So the children of Israel set out
and came to their cities on the third day. Their cities were Gibeon,
Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim.
18 (Ps 15:4) Now the children of Israel did not attack them,
for the leaders of the congregation had sworn an oath to them by the Lord,
the God of Israel, so the congregation murmured against the leaders.
19 Yet all the leaders said to the whole congregation,
"We swore to them by the Lord God of Israel, so now we may not harm them.
20 This is what we will do to them. We will let them live so that wrath
will not come upon us due to the oath that we swore to them."
21 (Dt 29:11; Jos 9:23) The leaders of the congregation also said to them,
"Let them live!" So they became woodcutters and water carriers
for the whole congregation, as the leaders told them.
22 (Jos 9:6; 9:16) Joshua met them and said,
"Why did you trick us, saying, 'We are very distant from you,'
but you are living in our midst?
23 (Jos 9:21; 9:27) Therefore now you are cursed, and you will
always be slaves, cutting wood and carrying water for the house of my God."
24 (Dt 7:1-2) They answered Joshua, "It was told to your slaves that the Lord
your God commanded Moses His servant to give you all the land
and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you.
So we were very afraid for our lives, and we did this thing.
25 (Ge 16:6) Now here we are, in your hands.
Do to us whatever is good and right in your eyes."
26 Thus he did to them, and delivered them from the hand
of the children of Israel; and they did not kill them.
27 (Dt 12:5) That day he made them woodcutters and water carriers
for the congregation and the altar of the Lord, even to this day,
at the place He would choose.
Joshua 9
[1] And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan,
in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea
over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the
Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
[2] That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with
Israel, with one accord.
[3] And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto
Jericho and to Ai,
[4] They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors,
and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and
bound up;
[5] And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them;
and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.
[6] And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and
to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a
league with us.
[7] And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among
us; and how shall we make a league with you?
[8] And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto
them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye?
[9] And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come
because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him,
and all that he did in Egypt,
[10] And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond
Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at
Ashtaroth.
[11] Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to
us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and
say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us.
[12] This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the
day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is
mouldy:
[13] And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they
be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of
the very long journey.
[14] And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth
of the LORD.
[15] And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let
them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.
[16] And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a
league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that
they dwelt among them.
[17] And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the
third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and
Kirjath-jearim.
[18] And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the
congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the
congregation murmured against the princes.
[19] But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto
them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
[20] This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon
us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.
[21] And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers
of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had
promised them.
[22] And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore
have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among
us?
[23] Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from
being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my
God.
[24] And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy
servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you
all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before
you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have
done this thing.
[25] And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right
unto thee to do unto us, do.
[26] And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the
children of Israel, that they slew them not.
[27] And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for
the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the
place which he should choose.
[Make your decisions in prayer being taking action]
JOSHUA 10
The Sun Stands Still
1 (Jos 6:21) Now when King Adoni-Zedek of Jerusalem heard that Joshua
captured Ai and destroyed it, doing to Ai and its king as he had done to
Jericho and its king, and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace
with Israel and were among them,
2 (Ex 15:14-16; Dt 11:25) he and his people were very afraid. Gibeon
was a large city, like one of the royal cities. It was larger than Ai,
and all its men were warriors.
3 (2Ch 11:9; Mic 1:13) So King Adoni-Zedek of Jerusalem sent this message
to King Hoham of Hebron, King Piram of Jarmuth, King Japhia of Lachish,
and King Debir of Eglon:
4 (Jos 9:15; 10:1) "Come and help me! Let us attack Gibeon, for it has made
peace with Joshua and all the children of Israel."
5 So the five kings of the Amorites-the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth,
Lachish, and Eglon-and all their armies gathered, advanced, and camped
against Gibeon. Then they waged war against it.
6 (Jos 5:10; 9:6) The men of Gibeon sent this message to Joshua at the Gilgal
settlement: "Do not abandon your slaves. Come up to us quickly. Save us!
Help us! For all the Amorite kings living in the hill country have gathered
against us."
7 (Jos 8:1) So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with
him, and all the mighty men of valor.
8 (Dt 3:2; Jos 11:6) The Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them,
for I have given them into your hand. Not a single man can stand before you."
9 Then Joshua came upon them suddenly, having marched all night from Gilgal.
10 (Jos 16:3; 16:5) The Lord panicked them before Israel. They struck them
with overwhelming force at Gibeon, then Israel pursued them on the road
that rises to Beth Horon and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah.
11 (Isa 28:2; Ps 18:12-14) As they fled from Israel on the downslope
from Beth Horon, the Lord hurled large hailstones down upon them from the sky
as far as Azekah. They died, and in fact more died from the hailstones
than the children of Israel killed with the sword.
12 (Hab 3:11; Jdg 12:12) On the day the Lord gave over the Amorites
to the children of Israel, Joshua spoke to the Lord
and said in full view of Israel:
"Sun, stand still over Gibeon;
and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon."
13 (2Sa 1:18; Isa 38:8) So the sun stood still,
and the moon stood in place
until the people brought vengeance on their enemies.
Is this not written in the book of Jashar?
The sun stood still in the middle of the sky and did not set
for about a full day.
14 (Jos 10:42; Dt 1:30) There has not been a day like this either
before or after it, when the Lord obeyed a man,
for the Lord waged war for Israel.
15 (Jos 10:43) Then Joshua, and all Israel with him,
returned to the settlement at Gilgal.
Joshua 10
[1] Now it came to pass, when Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;
[2] That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty.
[3] Wherefore Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,
[4] Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.
[5] Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the
king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.
[6] And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.
[7] So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour.
[8] And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.
[9] Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all
night.
[10] And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great
slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to
Beth-horon, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.
[11] And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the
going down to Beth-horon, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven
upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with
hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.
[12] Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the
Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel,
Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
[13] And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had
avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of
Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go
down about a whole day.
[14] And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD
hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.
[15] And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.
The Execution of Five Amorite Kings
16 Yet these five kings fled and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah.
17 Joshua was told, "The five kings have been found hiding themselves
in the cave at Makkedah."
18 So Joshua said, "Roll large stones over the mouth of the cave,
and station men to stand guard over it.
19 As for you, do not stop pursuing your enemies, but attack them
from behind. Do not let them go back to their cities, for the Lord
your God has given them into your hand."
20 (Jos 8:24) When Joshua and the children of Israel had finished
striking them with overwhelming force until they were completely
defeated, the survivors escaped from them and went back
to their fortified cities.
21 (Ex 11:7) Then all the people returned safely to Joshua at the Makkedah
settlement, and no one spoke against any of the children of Israel.
22 Joshua said, "Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out to me those
five kings from the cave."
23 They did this, and they brought out those five kings from the cave:
the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon.
24 (Mal 4:3; Ps 110:1) When they brought out those five kings to Joshua,
he called out to all the men of Israel and the army commanders,
"Come here and place your feet on the necks of these kings."
So they came near and placed their feet on their necks.
25 (Dt 7:19; 31:6-8) Then Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid or dismayed.
Be strong and courageous! For this is what the Lord will do to
all your enemies against whom you fight."
26 (Jos 8:29) After that, Joshua struck them down, killed them,
and hung them on five trees. They were hanging on the trees until evening.
27 (Jos 8:29) At sundown Joshua commanded men to take them down from
the trees and throw them into the cave in which they had hidden themselves.
Over the mouth of the cave he placed large stones, which remain to this day.
[16] But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.
[17] And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave
at Makkedah.
[18] And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set
men by it for to keep them:
[19] And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost
of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the LORD your God
hath delivered them into your hand.
[20] And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an
end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed,
that the rest which remained of them entered into fenced cities.
[21] And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace:
none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.
[22] Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five
kings unto me out of the cave.
[23] And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the
cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the
king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.
[24] And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua,
that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of
the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks
of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of
them.
[25] And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of
good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye
fight.
[26] And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five
trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening.
[27] And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that
Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into
the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's
mouth, which remain until this very day.
Southern Cities Conquered
28 (Jos 6:21) Joshua took Makkedah that day and struck it and its king
with the edge of the sword. He destroyed it and all life within it.
He did not leave any survivors. He did to the king of Makkedah
just as he did to the king of Jericho.
29 (Jos 21:13; 15:42) Then Joshua passed from Makkedah to Libnah
with all of Israel, and they fought against Libnah.
30 The Lord gave Libnah and its king into the hand of Israel,
and they struck all who lived in it with the edge of the sword.
There were no survivors left. They did to its king what they had done
to the king of Jericho.
31 (Jos 10:3) Then Joshua passed from Libnah to Lachish with all of Israel,
camped against it, and waged war against it.
32 The Lord gave Lachish into the hand of Israel. They captured it on the
second day and struck all who lived in it with the edge of the sword,
just as they had done to Libnah.
33( Jos 16:10; Jdg 1:29) King Horam of Gezer came up to help Lachish,
but Joshua attacked him and his people
until he did not have a single survivor left.
34 (Jos 10:3) From Lachish, Joshua and all of Israel passed to Eglon.
They camped against it and waged war against it.
35 They captured it that day and struck it with the edge of the sword.
All who lived in it were destroyed that day,
just as Israel had done to Lachish.
36 (Jdg 1:10; Jos 15:13) Then Joshua and all of Israel went up from Eglon
to Hebron and waged war against it.
37 They captured it and struck its king, and all who lived in it,
and its surrounding towns with the edge of the sword.
No survivor was left. Just as they had done to Eglon, they destroyed it
and all who lived in it.
38 (Jos 15:15) Then Joshua and all of Israel turned to Debir and waged war
against it.
39 They captured it, its king, and all its surrounding towns and struck
them with the edge of the sword. They destroyed all who lived in them,
and no survivor was left. As he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir
and its king as they had done to Libnah and its king.
40 So Joshua attacked the whole land: the hill country, the Negev,
the lowlands, the mountain slopes, and all their kings. No survivor was left.
He destroyed all who breathed, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded.
41 (Jos 11:16; 15:51) Joshua attacked the land from Kadesh Barnea to Gaza
and the land of Goshen as far as Gibeon.
42 (Jos 10:14) Joshua captured all these kings and their land in one campaign
because the Lord God of Israel waged war for Israel.
43 (Jos 10:15) Then Joshua and all of Israel returned
to the settlement at Gilgal.
[28] And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the
sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls
that were therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as
he did unto the king of Jericho.
[29] Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, unto Libnah,
and fought against Libnah:
[30] And the LORD delivered it also, and the king thereof, into the hand of
Israel; and he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that
were therein; he let none remain in it; but did unto the king thereof as he
did unto the king of Jericho.
[31] And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish,
and encamped against it, and fought against it:
[32] And the LORD delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, which took it
on the second day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the
souls that were therein, according to all that he had done to Libnah.
[33] Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua smote him
and his people, until he had left him none remaining.
[34] And from Lachish Joshua passed unto Eglon, and all Israel with him; and
they encamped against it, and fought against it:
[35] And they took it on that day, and smote it with the edge of the sword,
and all the souls that were therein he utterly destroyed that day, according
to all that he had done to Lachish.
[36] And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron;
and they fought against it:
[37] And they took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king
thereof, and all the cities thereof, and all the souls that were therein; he
left none remaining, according to all that he had done to Eglon; but
destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that were therein.
[38] And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought
against it:
[39] And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and
they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the
souls that were therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron,
so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof; as he had done also to Libnah,
and to her king.
[40] So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of
the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining,
but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel
commanded.
[41] And Joshua smote them from Kadesh-barnea even unto Gaza, and all the
country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon.
[42] And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because
the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.
[43] And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.
JOSHUA 11
Northern Kings Defeated
1 (Jos 11:10; Jdg 4:2) When King Jabin of Hazor heard these things,
he sent word to King Jobab of Madon, the king of Shimron, the king of Akshaph,
2 (Jos 12:3; Nu 34:11) and the kings of the northern hill country,
the Arabah south of Kinnereth, the low country, and the heights of Dor
in the west,
3 (Jdg 3:3; Ge 31:49) to the Canaanites in the east and in the west,
the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites in the hill country,
and the Hivites at Mount Hermon in the land of Mizpah.
4 (Jdg 7:12; 1Sa 13:5) So these kings went out with all their armies,
people as numerous as grains of sand on the seashore,
with a large number of horses and chariots.
5 These kings all met and camped together at the waters of Merom
in order to wage war against Israel.
6 (Jos 10:8; 2Sa 8:4) The Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them,
for about this time tomorrow I will make them dead before Israel.
Hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire."
7 ( Jos 10:9) So Joshua and all his fighting forces came upon them
by surprise at the waters of Merom and fell upon them.
8 (Jos 13:6; 19:28) The Lord gave them into the hand of Israel.
They struck them down and pursued them all the way to Greater Sidon,
Misrephoth Maim, and Mizpah Valley to the east. They struck them
down until no survivor remained.
9 (Jos 11:6) Joshua did to them as the Lord had said.
He hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire.
10 (Jos 11:1; Jdg 4:2) At that time Joshua turned, captured Hazor,
and struck down its king with the sword. Hazor was formerly
the head of all these kingdoms.
11 (Jos 10:40) They struck all who lived in them with the edge
of the sword, destroying them. No one who breathed was left,
and he burned Hazor with fire.
12 (Dt 7:2; 20:16-17) Joshua captured all these kings and their towns.
He struck with the edge of the sword, destroying them, as Moses
the servant of the Lord had commanded.
13 However, Israel did not burn any of the cities that stood
on mounds except Hazor. Joshua burned it.
14 The children of Israel plundered all the goods and the livestock
of these cities, but they struck all the people with the edge of the sword
until they destroyed them. They did not spare anyone who breathed.
15 (Jos 1:7; Dt 7:2) As the Lord commanded Moses His servant,
so Moses commanded Joshua, and Joshua did it.
He did not ignore a word of all that the Lord commanded Moses.
16 (Jos 10:41; 11:21) So Joshua took all that land: the hill country,
the Negev, all the land of Goshen, the lowland, the Arabah,
the hill country of Israel and its lowland.
17 (Dt 7:24; Jos 11:3) From Mount Halak to Seir, and as far as Baal Gad
in the Lebanon Valley under Mount Hermon: All their kings he captured,
struck down, and killed.
18 Joshua engaged all those kings in battle for a long time.
19 There was no city that made peace with the children of Israel
except the Hivites living in Gibeon. They conquered all of them
20 (Ex 4:21; Dt 20:16-17) because the Lord hardened their hearts
to engage Israel in battle. They destroyed them without mercy,
to put them to death, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
21 (Dt 9:2; Nu 13:22-23) At that time Joshua came and wiped out the
Anakites from the hill country: from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab,
from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel.
Joshua utterly destroyed them and their cities.
22 (1Sa 17:4; Jos 15:46) No Anakites were left in the land of the children
of Israel, but they did remain in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod.
23 (Nu 26:52-55; Jos 14:1-15) So Joshua took the whole land according
to all that the Lord had said to Moses.
Joshua gave it to Israel as an inheritance
according to their allotted portions by their tribes.
Then the land rested from war.
Joshua 11
[1] And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things,
that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the
king of Achshaph,
[2] And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the
plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on
the west,
[3] And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite,
and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and
to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.
[4] And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even
as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and
chariots very many.
[5] And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched
together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.
[6] And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to
morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou
shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.
[7] So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the
waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them.
[8] And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and
chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephoth-maim, and unto the valley
of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none
remaining.
[9] And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses,
and burnt their chariots with fire.
[10] And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king
thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those
kingdoms.
[11] And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the
sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he
burnt Hazor with fire.
[12] And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did
Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly
destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded.
[13] But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned
none of them, save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn.
[14] And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of
Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the
edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to
breathe.
[15] As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua,
and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded
Moses.
[16] So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and
all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of
Israel, and the valley of the same;
[17] Even from the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baal-gad in
the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and
smote them, and slew them.
[18] Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.
[19] There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save
the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle.
[20] For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come
against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they
might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded
Moses.
[21] And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the
mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of
Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly
with their cities.
[22] There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of
Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.
[23] So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto
Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their
divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.
[The Battle belongs to the Lord]
2) Our Daily Bread for 24 March 2024 titled
Renaissance in Jesus
John 12:23-26
23 (Jn 13:31-32) Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man
to be glorified.
24 Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground
and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.
25 (Mt 10:39; Lk 14:26) He who loves his life will lose it.
And he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26 (Jn 14:3; 17:24) If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me. Where I am,
there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
[23] And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man
should be glorified.
[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the
ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much
fruit.
[25] He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in
this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
[26] If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall
also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
We know Leonardo da Vinci as the renaissance man. His intellectual prowess
led to advances across multiple fields of study and the arts. Yet Leonardo
journaled of "these miserable days of ours" and lamented that we die
"without leaving behind any memory of ourselves in the mind of men."
"While I thought I was learning how to live," said Leonardo, "I was learning
how to die." He was closer to the truth than he may have realised. Learning
how to die is the way to life. After Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem
(what we now celebrate as Palm Sunday; see John 12:12–19), He said,
"Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only
a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds" (v. 24). He spoke
this about His own death but expanded it to include us all:
"Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their
life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (v. 25).
The apostle Paul wrote of being "buried" with Christ "through baptism
into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through
the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been
united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united
with him in a resurrection like his" (Romans 6:4-5).
Through His death, Jesus offers us rebirth-the very meaning of renaissance.
He has forged the way to eternal life with His Father.
By: Tim Gustafson
Reflect & Pray
How do you measure the value of your life?
How might you need to change those values?
Dear Father, I can find meaning and purpose nowhere else but in You.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 1 - The Joy of Confessing Christ
Romans 10:9-10
9 (Lk 12:8; Php 2:11)that if you confess with your mouth
Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from
the dead, you will be saved,
10 for with the heart one believes unto righteousness,
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be
saved.
[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.
Teena, a college freshman, has just committed her life to Christ,
but she was apprehensive about telling anyone - until Bill appeared
on the scene. He plunked his coffee cup down on the table and smiled.
"I heard something exciting happened to you yesterday, Teena"
"Yeah", Teena paused and looked around, as if seeking an escape route.
"I , uh, well, I did it"
"Did what?"
"Well, I, ah, gave my life to God."
"That's wonderful!" Bill exclaimed.
He was still talking with Teena and encouraging he in her decision
when Maria walked by.
"Maria!" Bill called. "Teena wants to tell you something!"
Teena gasped , open-mouthed, then stammered,
" I - I committed my life to Christ."
Maria , similarly enthuasiatic, encouraged Teena in her commitment,
and within half an hour Teena was stopping her friends to tell them,
"Guess what? I've become a Christian! I belng to Jesus now!"
Teena had already surrendered her heart to Christ.
But when she confessed her decision aloud to others,
the truth of that transformation was confirmed by her.
Many of us have been raised to believe that 'faith is a private matter',
not to be discussed in polite company. Yet Paul makes clear the connection
between heart commitment and verbal confession. Just as my love for family
and friends deepens as I tell them I love them, so a person's love
for Christ is confirmed and stabilised
by speaking of that commitment to others.
Application
a) Have I been reluctant to tell others of my faith in Christ? Why?
b) What happens within me when I do tell others of my love for the Lord?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Is 55:11
11 (Isa 45:23; 46:10) so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
11 so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:
it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are ill or injured
James 5:13-16
13 (Ps 50:15; Eph 5:19) Is anyone among you suffering?
Let him pray. Is anyone merry? Let him sing psalms.
14 (Mk 6:13; 16:18; Ac 14:23) Is anyone sick among you?
Let him call for the elders of the church,
and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil
in the name of the Lord.
15 (Isa 33:24; Jas 1:6) And the prayer of faith will save
the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.
And if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.
16 (Ge 20:17; 18:23-32) Confess your faults to one another
and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much.
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.
Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church;
and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise
him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another,
that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
Saskatchewan
Quick facts on Muslims in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan 2015 population 1125400
est Muslim Population 17279
CNMM Networks: Saskatoon
Saskatoon has seen quick growth in its Muslim population over the past
5 years, which maybe as high as 5000 today. Islamic leaders have
focused specifically on this city , having twice already sent cohorts
of about 70 families to start mosques. There are now 7 Islamic centres
of worship and an Islamic madrassah (school) located right next to a
Christian school.
Of particular concern recently is the number of young adults who grew up
in evangelical churches and converted to Islam. Most of these are young
women who were wooed by Muslim man and became emotionally bonded.
Both prior to and after marrying, these women are known to convert to Islam.
Agree in prayer with us for:
- entire congregations and individual believers to catch God's heart
and passion for reaching Muslims in Saskatoon and the other growing
Muslim population centres of Saskatchewan.
- for the eyes and understanding of Canadian youth to be opened to the
spiritual reality of Islam, and not deceived nor manipulated into
converting to a religion which cannot offer assurance of salvation.
- for the few workers among Muslims now engaged there, and for many more
to be raised up into effective witness.
- for prayer and training events that are starting in Saskatoon
to spread and grow to other cities.
Adding further
Pray for Muslims in Norway
Matthew 25:35
35 (Eze 18:7; 18:16) For I was hungry and you gave Me food,
I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in.
[35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave
me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mariam put her head down and tried to avoid eye-contact with anyone as she
walked quickly through the streets in Oslo, intent on getting home with the
groceries she had just purchased. Her hijab was woolen, and welcome against
the early winter chill, but it also made her a target for verbal harassment
from passersby.
Mariam had lived in Norway for 5 years since arriving with her husband from
Afghanistan, where they fled from worse harassment and the threat of death.
She had worked hard to learn to speak Norwegian and to adapt to the very
different food and weather. But here in Norway they had not made friends
with anyone outside of their mosque community and Mariam wondered
if they could ever feel truly at home.
Muslims make up only about 4% of the population in Norway but they are a great
concern to many non-Muslim Norwegians. The Muslim population in Norway is made
up almost entirely of first and second generation immigrant families, and they
mostly live in Norway’s urban centres. Many Norwegians living in rural areas
have little contact with Muslims, but surveys have shown there is nevertheless
a significant portion of the native population who are opposed to Muslim
immigration and who avoid contact with Muslims. Predictably, many immigrants
acknowledge that they have experienced prejudice or harassment.
Norway is known as a Christian nation, and it has a strong missionary history.
In earlier centuries, Norway was one of the largest sending nations of
missionaries in the world. Today, however, only a minority of Norwegians
are regular church-attenders.
How to Pray
Pray for Muslims immigrants in Norway as they are adapting
to a totally new way of life.
Pray for Norwegian Christians to revive their missionary heart
and be proactive in reaching out to Muslims in their nation
with the love of Jesus.
Pray for Muslims in Norway to hear about and follow Jesus,
as well as find fellowship with others.
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 24 of the Month
a) Pray that the Lord will open a door for the message for the Gospel
at every level of Canadian Society. (
Col 4:3
3 while praying also for us, that God would open to
us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in chains,
3 withal praying also for us, that God would open unto
us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in bonds:
)
b) Pray for the Province of Saskatchewan
I) Pray for the leaders of Saskatchewan,
that God's Spirit would influence
then to act justly,
serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use
the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord to know his Gift of Salvation and the relief
he can give you.
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him for all the decisions you make.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear Father, I can find meaning
and purpose nowhere else but in You."
Pray to the Lord and pray to confess to belonging to Jesus Christ.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know that
the Will of the Lord will be accomplished.
Pray to the Lord and pray for healing.
Agree in prayer with us for:
- entire congregations and individual believers to catch God's heart
and passion for reaching Muslims in Saskatoon and the other growing
Muslim population centres of Saskatchewan.
- for the eyes and understanding of Canadian youth to be opened to the
spiritual reality of Islam, and not deceived nor manipulated into
converting to a religion which cannot offer assurance of salvation.
- for the few workers among Muslims now engaged there, and for many more
to be raised up into effective witness.
- for prayer and training events that are starting in Saskatoon
to spread and grow to other cities.
Pray for Muslims immigrants in Norway as they are adapting
to a totally new way of life.
Pray for Norwegian Christians to revive their missionary heart
and be proactive in reaching out to Muslims in their nation
with the love of Jesus.
Pray for Muslims in Norway to hear about and follow Jesus,
as well as find fellowship with others.
Pray that the Lord will open a door for the message for the Gospel
at every level of Society.
Praise God for Azeri Christians who are faithfully proclaiming the Gospel
despite legal pressure and possible fines.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God
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