Irmela

Q3. (John 12:32-33) What does Jesus mean when he talks about being "lifted up." Do you think Jesus means being "lifted up" literally or figuratively or both? How does this phrase relate to Isaiah 52:13? How does it relate to Philippians 2:8-9? He was referring to the manner of death He was going to die, viz., on the cross. I do think both. On the cross, He would be nailed and the cross would be planted upright and He would be lifted high up for all to see Him. That's physically but at the same time, a terribly humbling death, and yet from that He would be exalted to eventually sit at the right Hand of the Father. Isaiah 52:13 speaks about the Messiah as the Servant being exalted. Christ came by putting aside His equality with God and putting on as it were the garment of a servant, becoming a Man, who would be exalted and stand high. In Philippians also it is reflected that Christ put aside His equality with God and put on the outward appearance of a man and the was obedient even unto the death of the cross. God has exalted Him and given Him the Name above every other Name. So all in all He will no longer be looked down upon but be looked up to, be honored.

Q2. (John 12:25-26) In what way is verse 25 the essence of what it means to be a disciple? In this verse, what does it mean to "love" your life? What does it mean to "hate" your life? How did Jesus live this out in the Garden of Gethsemane? This verse basically is saying that it is far better living for God, wherever He has placed you. No matter the difficulty. If we live there to carry out His will and by doing so , we are not really in an over comfortable position (thus not putting our comforts first) we are dying to our selfish desires ('hating' our lives). We are being a disciple by following His will, where He leads we are right there. If we would rather "love our lives" than follow His leading, we would then make sure that wherever we are, would meet our human comforts and not necessarily be following His leading. The opposite would be said for "hating our lives". We would seek His will for our lives and whatever that is, we would follow . In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed , NOT MY WILL BUT THINE BE DONE. In this dark hour He still submitted to the Father's will.

Q1. (John 12:23-24) How can God's glory be revealed even in death? How does the seed illustrate this? How does Jesus' death illustrate this? How does us dying to our old life illustrate this? God's glory is revealed in Christ's death, resurrection and Ascension. A seed looks like it has no life, but if it is put in the ground and 'dies', then after a while a shoot will come forth out of the ground. This then grows and bears fruit. (much more than just the one kernel which was placed into the ground). Jesus said that He will send the Comforter, the HOLY SPIRIT, only after He had left. After His death and resurrection the Gospel has spread and many have come to be His followers. Dying to our old life has enabled Christ to be seen in our life as it is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me.

Q4. How does Bob Munger's "My Heart, Christ's Home" explain the process of surrender to Christ. When we surrender to Christ, what happens to the ugly things in our lives that displease God? What is the effect on us? Unfortunately I have not been able to get a copy of this booklet. From what I understand it explains sanctification. Letting Christ take over our lives. Habits might take longer to conquer and that I can understand to be because of not having handed over the control of that area to Christ. Once we surrender that area we become changed, it no longer controls us, or better put it is no longer a part of our life.

In what way does failing to drive out the Canaanites correspond to compromising with sin in our lives? What is the consequence of this compromise? What must we do to end the compromise? If we do not deal with sin in our lives, then that sin eventually becomes a snare to us. It will be like a habit that we cannot break because it has such a strong hold on us. To end this compromise we need to break with the sin. Confess it before God. He can and will help us overcome its treacherous hold on us.

Q2. (Joshua 16-19) Why did God tell the Israelites to drive out the Canaanites completely? What was the short-term result of failing to do this? (Joshua 17:12-13). What was the long-term result? (Judges 2:1-3) It is like when there is sin in one's life. If you do not get rid of it all, you will be tripped up again and again by it and the root grows stronger and it is harder and harder to dislodge it. So the best is to confess it and ask the Lord to remove it, roots and all. don't just chop it off, remove the sin by the root. The Lord told the Israelites to drive out the Canaanites completely, for this very reason. If they did not do so they would entice them to follow after their gods and also small groups would join together and merge into stronger forces, and be all the more difficult to drive out. According to Joshua 17:12 & 13 they were not able to drive the inhabitants out because they insisted on living in the land and eventually they put them to forced labour. Then finally in Judges 2 : 1-3 we read that they were as thorns in their sides and the gods were as snares to them.

Q1. (Joshua 10:1-28) In the Battle of the Five Kings, what fighting did God do? What fighting did the Israelites do? How did God fulfill his promise to Joshua that "no one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life" (Joshua 1:5)? Does God expect us to be prepared to fight in the battle with our enemy the devil? How? This time Joshua sought the Lord as to what should be done, when the Gibeonites , who were now to be protected by Israel because of the treaty. appealed to them for help. The Israelites were to march from Gilgal to Gibeon during the night and surprise the Amorite kings. This march was not an easy march, but was conducted under God's orders via Joshua. This surprise attack caused a disorganized retreat by the armies of the 5 kings. On top of this surprise, God ensured that a vicious and unusual hailstorm took place, which killed a large number of the enemy as they fled to Azekah and Makkedah. More were killed by the hailstones than the Israelite army. Then we find the time elapsing and Joshua speaking to the Lord on the day the Amorites were given over to them. Then Joshua in the sight of everyone speaks to the sun to stand still and the moon not to continue its assent, while the Israelites defeated their enemies. We continue reading of battle after battle that was fought and the Israelites being successful and taking city after city in these battles. That was how God kept His promise to Joshua. Joshua had to be obedient and consult and then do how God led. He does not expect us to enter the battle alone. The secret of power in the Christian life is to draw close to Christ daily in our devotional life as a way of sensitizing our spiritual ears to hear his voice. Then we obey and follow through with what he shows us.

Q4. (Joshua 9:14; 7:1-5) How did Joshua's failure to consult God before making decisions hurt Israel? How did Jesus model close communication with God before making major decisions? What does it take for us to hear God's voice or to get confirmation from God for a course of action? Both times we see failure when the Lord was not consulted before a decision was made. A sin had been committed by Achan and this was not known by Joshua and because he did not consult the Lord it remained hidden to him and the spies who were sent out were deceived into thinking that the city would easily be taken. As a result they were defeated and 36 men lost their lives and they fled before the enemy and fear filled the hearts of the Israelites. The Gibeonites deceived them into believing the story that they had come from far away. Here as mentioned before, again the Lord was not consulted. They were very convincing in pretending to have come to see for themselves what the Lord had done for the israelites. So a covenant was cut with them. They proved to be a burden to the Israelites , and also now they had to honour their word by not routing them out and when the Gibeonites were troubled by other tribes the Israelites were honor-bound to help them. Jesus spent hours alone with the Father before making decisions. We read again and again that He went into the hills to pray. So we find with His example that in spite of being one with the Father, He laid aside that part of Him and still consulted God when having to make any decisions. He did not pretend that it wasn't necessary. He fully and completely led by example. We too need to spend time with the Lord in prayer and in the Word. Confirmation will come and peace will follow.

Q3. (Joshua 9:16-27; Exodus 20:7; Matthew 5:34, 37; James 5:12) What does it mean to "take the Lord's name in vain"? How are we tempted to do that? Why do we tend to take our promises so lightly? How does this reflect on God's character? Just idly using the Lord's name as a swear word. Just idly using His name in chatting without meaning what you saying. Just using it in jest. Not showing any respect to the Lord. Actually it makes His Name be worthless. Sometimes the temptation to use His name is great just to make what you say is important even if it is not necessarily true. By using His name it is almost automatically taken as truth. So it is used deceptively. No longer is God feared and revered as in the past. All life is taken callously and speech is flippant for the most part, so promises are easily forgotten. Made for the moment and quickly pushed aside as unimportant. It does reflect on His character because you are like saying things via your tongue as though it would be God saying it. So in actual fact you are making Him out to be a liar.

Q2. (Joshua 7:20-21; Malachi 3:8-9; Luke 12:15) How is it possible for both rich and poor to suffer from greed? How can our greed affect our giving to the church? To what degree do you believe Americans are captives of greed? (not an American) How do we repent and free ourselves from greed? Some of the rich suffer from greed in that they never seem to have enough. The more they have, the more they want. Then you get those that don't really have but get themselves into debt by trying to live up to the Jones's. The poor can also desire what they cannot afford and then attempt to get it by stealing. The greed can blind us into thinking that there will not be enough money till the end of the month if we give from what we have, to the church. The other thing we can get tripped up with is that we do not know what they will do with the "hard-earned" money. Acknowledge the sin of greed and repent from it. Then act on the decision to change.

Q1. (Joshua 7) How can the sin of one person affect a country? How can the sin of one person affect a congregation? How does your congregation deal with sin that affects the body? How can we take sin seriously without developing a judgmental, legalistic spirit in our churches? What is the importance of confessing sins on behalf a congregation, a denomination, or a nation? We see this in many instances where sin is eventually revealed, that it is as a result of the sin that the country or congregation has come to ruin or fallen into disrepute. When confessing a sin then healing or change can come about. If the sin is not forgiven but bitterness and grudges are allowed to grow as callouses over these hurts, then eventually that person, or congregation members, or people in the nation reach the same place of destruction, which will not be reversed if the sin is not confessed. So it eventually becomes a vicious circle if not dealt with appropriately as we are taught by example in the Bible and total annihilation is the final outcome. The importance of confessing sins on behalf of a congregation, denomination or nation enables many to become aware of this and should someone remark about that sin another can remind that it has been confessed and dealt with. Once dealt with appropriately it should be set aside as covered under the blood and not brought out as if not dealt with. When can healing otherwise ever take place? An example of this comes to mind. The missionaries that were murdered in 1956 and later some of the families of the murdered men went and taught that same tribe about Christ and His love. Read Through Gates of Splendour and other accounts of what happened before and after the murders.

Q4. If Jesus is your King, what kind of worship is appropriate? What kind of service? What kind of priorities? What kind of obedience? Are you giving Jesus his due as King? Worship is showing honour, respect and adoration to God. Giving my all, complete obedience with no compromising; whatever I do, doing it as doing it for Him. Be it giving someone a bottle of water or cooking a meal, my serving should be as unto my KING. My Lord I can only humbly bow before You and ask for help in this. You deserve my all and much more.

Q3. (John 12:12-13) What about the people's praise show they believed Jesus to be the Messiah? On this occasion, why doesn't Jesus shun such an open declaration that he is the Messiah, as he has in the past? The people heard that Yeshuah was coming and so they took palm branches in homage to Him as King, and went out to meet Him. Palm Branches signify joy, victory, triumph and peace. Then the people shouted praises from the Psalms: "Hosanna! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord, even the King of Israel." Yeshuah did not shun this open declaration because the time had come for Him to lay down His Life and fulfill what He had come to Earth for this time, viz., to be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world.

Q2. (John 12:14-16) What is the prophetic significance of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey? Why did he do it? What was the effect on the crowds? According to Isaiah 40:9 and Zech 9:9 the Messiah would come into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. He came peacefully, not as a warrior. The time had come for Yeshuah to acknowledge openly by an obvious sign, Who He was. Those who understood the signs, understood full well that He was the Christ, their King, their Liberator, they just understood it to be liberation from the Roman oppressors and not the Liberator from sin. At this time there was a great crowd of people in Jerusalem. Many had heard of Yeshuah over the last 3 -odd years that His ministry had been on the go. They heard or had seen the deeds and signs that He had wrought. Some had met Him, and were already eager followers. The news of Lazarus being raised from the dead was spread among the excited crowd. So the expectation on the crowd was electrifying. They welcomed Him into Jerusalem as their King, Who was to reign and set them free. This was done with open abandonment. Palm branches, cloaks on the path for the donkey to walk on, shouts of HOSANNA rang free from their lips, as He was escorted into the city. Even more He was acknowledged as the KING OF ISRAEL, COMING IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.

Q1. (John 12:3-8) Why did Judas object to Mary's extravagant act of devotion? Why did Jesus defend her? Why did Mary do this? What does this teach us about worship? Does your worship tend to be cheap or extravagant? For you, what would be extravagant worship? Judas carried the money bag and he would take from it for himself. He was a thief. Money was very prominent in his mind, so to him to use something so expensive seemed unnecessary and by suggesting that it would have been better to sell it and distribute the money to the poor would take the scent off of him should anyone have started to think that he was 'digging' into the funds. He was also possibly jealous of Yeshuah's growing popularity. Yeshuah defended her, because He knew that Mary did it from a pure heart, devoted to Him. He also knew that it was not long before His death and that this was more than just a show. It was Mary's way of worshiping Him, of honoring Him, of acknowledging Him as King. Only the best was good enough. Spikenard clings to the skin. So the fragrance would linger long afterwards. It is even suggested that days later when Yeshuah rode in to Jerusalem on the donkey, also in the Upper Room, in the Garden and when He was beaten, that this fragrance was still clinging to Him. At His baptism Yeshuah was 'anointed' in preparation for His life's work. Now He, the KING of Heaven, was anointed in preparation for His death to save His people. Worship comes in different forms. It is not just by quietly praying, but also exuberantly dancing with joy before our King, it is weeping before Him, it is spending time in His presence in Word and prayer, it is time spent with one of His own in their loneliness etc. Whichever way the worship is manifested, to give my all, is extravagant worship in the good sense not in a way that extravagant is bad.

Q6. (John 11:54) Why did Jesus withdraw to Ephraim? Does this show fear? What does this teach us about strategic retreat? He withdrew to Ephraim as it was not yet time for His death. The Passover was drawing near and that was the time for Him to come back to Jerusalem. It does not show fear but wisdom. If He had stayed at Bethany He would have put His friends' lives at stake. In the wilderness they would not easily find Him. Ephraim was close to the wilderness. His retreating shows that He did not follow His own leading but was obedient to the Father's leading.

Q5. (John 11:49-53). What did Caiaphas intend to say to the Sanhedrin? What is the prophetic meaning of his statement? He intended to tell them that it was better to have one man killed and his voice stilled, than to have the Romans be up in arms about this same person being held by many people as the Saviour (Messiah, King) and then because of this loose their status and means of making money at the temple and have the Romans have a tighter rule over the nation. Yeshua indeed died in the stead of the people. He was the perfect Sacrifice, Who gave His Life in place of the nation as well as the rest of the world. So we see the meaning of his statement was that rather have Yeshua die and the nation be set free.

Q4. (John 11:32-38) Different writers interpret Jesus' emotions on this occasion differently. Why do you think Jesus was "deeply moved"? Why did He weep? I was always under the impression that it was because of compassion that He was moved and wept for them, for their pain, for their heartache. He was also disturbed because of the others present who were supposed to be of help to the sisters, but who were actually disturbingly more of a way of bringing more doubt and unbelief into the situation.

Q3. (John 11:27) Based on Luke 10:38-42, what is Martha's reputation compared to that of her sister Mary? What is so amazing about Martha's confession? What does this tell us about her? Which of the sisters seems more spiritual on this day -- Martha or Mary? Martha seems to be a person that is very busy and delights in having her guests be given everything 'just right'. Nothing must be out of place. She is known to serve and not sit still. Mary in turn is satisfied to see that things are as up to speed as need be and so she takes the opportunity to sit at the Lord's feet and listen to Him. She does not see the need to still putter around, when Martha is doing that very efficiently anyway. Martha stated clearly that she believed that Jesus was indeed the Christ, the Son of God. There was no doubt in her mind. In spite of her always being busy serving and not sitting still, she listened and also believed. I think it was just in her nature and that it was not easy for her to sit still, whereas Mary was just the opposite. She was a more quiet person and did not go against her nature but sat enrapt at the Master's feet, when He came and spoke at their home on previous occasions. Martha just tried doing far more than was needed. She too could have joined her sister and together they could have served their guests later. But Martha became frustrated at the apparent uncaring attitude of her sister. Her dialogue with Jesus, on this occasion, proves that she too trusts Him devotedly. On this day Martha seems stronger in her faith than Mary.

Q2. (John 11:25-26) In what sense does Jesus embody resurrection? In what sense does he embody life? What is the great promise that He offers us in verses 25 and 26? Jesus is the Resurrection and Jesus is the Life. Through Him we are promised Resurrection and Life. It is no longer I that live but Christ that lives in me and that is why I too can be resurrected and have life. Death will have no hold on me.

Q1. (John 11:16) What does verse 16 teach us about Thomas's character? About his faith? Thomas was outspoken. He certainly seems brave and ready to go with His Lord and Master, no matter what. Even staring death in the face. So I do believe he was faithful and courageous.

Q4. (Joshua 6:27)The slaughter of all the people in Jericho is difficult for us to understand. Why do you think God ordered it? In what sense are you "devoted to the Lord" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Metaphorically, how does this relate to Jesus' teaching to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow him, and Paul's teaching on the crucified life? (Luke 9:23; Romans 6:6; Galatians 2:20). It was sin that made God have the people of the land be destroyed. God did not want them to be a snare to the children of Israel and have them serve the same gods and live the same immoral lifestyle. I was bought with a price. I also lived in a 'city of sin' which needed to be destroyed and God sent His Son, Who redeemed me. Now my life belongs to Him. In fact my life is a temple of the Holy Spirit, Who dwells within me. My life is not my own , it is 'devoted to the Lord'. The life I live is to be the way God would have it to be. His choices are to be my choices. Deny selfish wishes.

Q3. (Joshua 6:1-23) What is the meaning of the seven days of marching with the ark? What does the ark represent? What mechanism do you think God used to make the walls fall down? I see that this as a testing of Joshua's faith. He did not question but trusted and obeyed. Secondly it was a testing of Israel's obedience to the will of God. The march would possibly not take an hour every day. But they were exposing themselves to danger and ridicule. Marching in silence!!!!! Thirdly it put fear and bewilderment into the hearts of the people of Jericho. When and how would the Israelites attack, was possibly on their minds. The strategy used was strange to them. The Ark represents the Throne of Almighty God. First you had the armed guard, then the 7 priests blowing the shofar. (announcing God's presence) 4 priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant, then the rear guard, being the rest of the army. I see here the whole procession is visibly embedding in the people's minds that their King is being presented as the One Who is head of their army. He will fulfill His promise that the battle is His and that He will be with us in the battle. I personally believe that God commanded the walls to fall and that at the sound of His command they crumbled. Whether He used forces of nature eg., an earthquake to happen just at that time or whatever else, is not for me to surmise. I can only imagine that the sound of those trumpet blasts and the sound of 600 thousand strong voices, shouting together, must have put fear into the inhabitants of the city and those of the surrounding area.

Q2. (Joshua 5:14) What is the significance of the Commander of God's Armies being with you? If He will fight your battles for you, what does your job consist of? I am not alone nor am I in command. I am fully protected. The battle is not mine, but the battle is the Lord's. Listen to what He instructs me to do. Being obedient to His commands.

Q1. (Joshua 5:13-16) What is Joshua's challenge to the Unknown Warrior with drawn sword? Who is He? Whose side is He on? Whose side are you on? Why does an encounter with Him require us to humble ourselves? Why is it so hard to submit ourselves to God? Are you for us or for our adversaries? He is on neither side; He has come as Prince of the Lord's host. [The battle is His and He has come to remind Joshua of just that]. By God's grace I am on His side. He is our King and His presence just makes it be so. You can't help but humble yourself before Him. Only when we fight against the knowledge of Who He is and allow self (ego) and pride and defiance to come in our way, do we find that we do not submit ourselves to God. O dear Lord help me to overcome these tendencies with You.