Delivered

Q2. Why do you think God's glory is associated with judgment and consuming fire? Judgment to me is the conquest over wrong, Israel was saved when God’s judgment fell on the Egyptians, while the Cross depicts God’s righteous judgment over sin; God’s glory, His judgment over sin will be shown at the end of time, when Christ returns to judge the Nations and His enemies. Q3. What happens when people willfully disobey God and his laws? God shows mercy unto them that love Him, and keep his commandments, however, for those who “WILLFULLY” walk in disobedience, those who rebel against God, are in danger of the judgment.

Q1. Describe the difference between (1) reputation, (2) derived glory, and (3) inherent glory. REPUTATION: The LORD is high above all the earth: He is exalted far above all gods, we can confidently count on His mercy and favor as we seek after Him, He is faithful to keep His promises, praises are on our lips because of who He is. DERIVED GLORY is obtained from being in the presence of God. INHERENT takes me back to reputation; the LORD is high above all the earth, it is His inherent, essential, and characteristic attributes, He is who he is. Which glory is involved when you praise God? For me it is all three, I give praise to God for he is worthy of praise, He is exalted high above all others, and from praise is derived that of his glory, for He imparts to me his inherent Glory of Mercy and Grace.

Q2. (Joshua 14:6-14) Why is Caleb boastful in verse 12, and why do you think he claimed the hill country of Hebron for his inheritance? Caleb was forty years old when he went to spy out the land, and now forty five years later his faith was still as strong as he in all "CERTAINTY" requested that this mountain the LORD spoke of be given to him; because Caleb was fully committed that the LORD enabled him to enter into the land that the LORD promised his seed would possess. (Numbers 14:24)

Q1. (Numbers 14:24; Joshua 14:8) What does it mean to follow the Lord "wholly" or "wholeheartedly"? Wholeheartedly means following God with all of one’s heart, (heart represents ones whole being) Caleb had another spirit, a heart circumcised with that of faith, a servant who heartily walked in the LORDS statues and His ordinances “To Do Them” Q. How did Caleb and Joshua differ from the other spies? The spies attitude was the opposite of that of Caleb and Joshua, in that they “Did Not” have a servant heart to follow after the LORD their God, to keep His commandments and His statutes, thereby, their confession spoke “Slanderous” words of defeat, hearts that “Rebelled” against their LORD. Q. Why was God angry with Israel for their unwillingness to enter the Promised Land? To me it wasn’t so much because of their unwillingness to enter the Promised Land, as it was their unwillingness to obey his voice wholeheartedly, instead they turned their hearts away from their LORD, they refused to hear, to understand set before them was life and death, blessing and cursing, if they would only love the LORD their God, and would obey his voice and cleave unto him: for he is life, and the length of their days that they may dwell in the land which the LORD swore unto their father, but their hearts turned away and cleaved to go back to Egypt, to worship other gods to serve them, is why God was angry and denounced them.

Q3. (Joshua 3:13-17) How was Joshua able to announce the miracle of Jordan stopping its flow ahead of the event? Joshua was a man "consecrated" to the LORD, he believed Yahweh would do wonders among them, that the LORD would magnify him in the sight of all Israel so they would know as the LORD was with Moses when the waters of the Red sea was divided that the LORD would also be with Joshua, Joshua’s faith in the LORD empowered him with strength and courage to speak forth and "prophesy" to the people the "wonders" the LORD was about to do. Q. What kind of faith did it require to do so? It required “ACTION" faith revealed in that of "OBEDIENCE"

Q2. (Joshua 3:5) Why did the Israelites need to consecrate themselves? The Israelites were called to consecrate themselves for they are a people set apart, a covenant people whose calling is to represent their LORD who is a holy God, for it is He who will do great things for them. Q. What might this entail? To consecrate or to sanctify means to separate oneself unto that of holiness, to meditate on God's laws to do them, setting oneself apart to God for a sacred purpose and dedication. I believe this separateness is not a physical removal, or a physical washing, but a "spiritual" relocation unto that which sends a sweet aroma up to their God, a quiet time with the LORD. Q. In what ways do you personally need to reconsecrate yourself? I believe each and every day should start off with that of "Consecration" - That is, we purpose in our hearts to follow after God, that we have a servant heart dedicated to pleasing Him and we meditate on these words, "Be you holy for I am holy"

Q1. (Joshua 3:1) Why do the Israelites have to break camp at Shittim before the day they cross Jordan? The time needed for Israel to be in Shittim must have been coming to an end, it was there they conquered the Ammonite kings Og and Sihon that great fear spread to those living in the land the LORD promised to give to them, it was there they heard Moses recite the law that they were instructed to meditate on, words by which "faith" and that of obedience comes from, now it was time for them to come together as a united people and prepare to cross over. I believe it must have been the spirit of wisdom that Joshua had all the people, which included the wives, their children, their livestock, and all of their possessions prepare ahead of time, thereby they could rise early in the morning and set out from Acacia Grove to the Jordan; it was no small task having all the people walk the walk that will take them closer to their destination, a place where they would have time to prepare, a time for the officers to go through the camp with instructions, and a time for the people to sanctify themselves, a time to quiet themselves before the LORD, for the LORD was going to do wonders among them. Q. In what ways is your life settled into a routine that keeps you from fully following God's leading? We all have routines and schedules we must follow, it is important we put God first in order that He goes before us. Q. What do you need to do to make yourself ready? I believe it is important I meditate on God’s laws to do them, it is important I walk the walk and not talk the walk, it is important I sanctify myself before God, a quieting time needed in order to hear and to prepare myself for the wonders that God has planned for my life.

Q4. (Joshua 2:4-6) Does God honor Rahab for lying to the king's men, and is her lying justified in this case? Lying is a sin, however, it is important we understand -- what are the lies God is warning us about, they are "Falsehoods" spoken in order to cover up ones sin of wrong doing, they are lies that stem forth from a heart that intends to bring destruction or hatred to another, they are the kind of lies that cover up greed and dishonesty. The "fruit" stemming from the "Falsehood" spoken by Rahab brought forth that of kindness, it was an act of "love" - The greatest commandment is that of "LOVE," love covers a multiple of sins; Rahab was justified in that her motives were that of protection and not to bring harm. Q5. Is there ever a time it might be permissible to lie? There is never a time permissible to speak lies that cover up ones wrong doing or to bring hatred and harm to another. I believe it is important we not look at God's laws as that of a Yoke, for it is a path to that of righteousness. It is important we not bind His laws by that of "LEGALISM"

Q3. (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:5; Matthew 1:5) Why is a prostitute honored by being mentioned three times in the New Testament? The woman I see being honored is not the prostitute, the woman being honored is Rahab a heroine of faith, not that of intellectual faith, but that of "Trusting Faith," a woman who was mentioned in the same breath as Abraham who believed God and was called a Friend of God, a woman who joined herself to the Jewish people and became a proselyte, thereby, we see Rahab mentioned as an ancestor of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah of Israel. It amazes me when I read about and see the Mountains that can be moved when a mustard seed of Trusting Faith is released. Q4. How does God look on prostitution and on prostitutes? Prostitution is a great sin, it is a violation of Gods laws, and in fact Rahabs works prior to her "Conversion" were unarguably wicked. God even looked at Israel when they turned away from Him repeatedly describes her with a related word, "zonah" ("prostitute") Prostitution falls also in the category of Adultery and Fornication, that of sexual immorality, in the twentieth century Western World sexual unions outside of marriage were unfortunately regarded very lightly, along with homosexual behavior, temple prostitution and other improper practices, while in Judaism, God's laws call them an abomination. Q5. How did Jesus treat prostitutes? The Messiah offered hope and a changed life not only to prostitutes but to all sinners. A parable of truth was spoken by the Son of God as we read in (Mat 21:32) John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you believed him not: but the Publicans and the Harlots believed him. What was said concerned the wrath to come and the miserable state sin found them in and the great need that they repent and place their "Faith" in the Messiah who spoke to them. Q6. What does this teach us about God's attitude toward sinners and sin? What this teaches me is how important the part of repentance and trusting faith play in bringing us into a covenant with God, for it is "SIN" that separates us from Him. God loves the sinner for "ALL" have sinned and come short of the glory of God; Israel had the Day of Atonement and the Passover Lamb to cover their sins, but the world was without hope until that Glorious day when the love of God and His great mercy was revealed and God sent his Passover Lamb, His Son to "ATONE" for the sins of the world. What it teaches me goes much deeper as I come to understand the reason God's Son had to come in the "FLESH,” as the future is predicted and truth is revealed in (Rev 5: 1-7 in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written and sealed with seven seals. And a strong angel proclaimed loudly, who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals? And no man was found worthy to open, to read the book, or even look therein, is when John wept much as he was promised a revelation of "things which must be hereafter" and "No Man" was found worthy, until one of the elders said, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed and is worthy to open the book and to loose the seven seals, for in the midst of the throne stood a Lamb as it had been slain, and he came and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the throne. This is why I along with all other believers have this song in our hearts, (Rev 5:9) Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof, for thou was slain and has redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, for the trial of our faith is much more precious than that of gold, though it be tried with fire, we might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the "appearing" of the Messiah.

Q2. (Joshua 2:2-11) What indicates that Rahab believes in Israel's God Yahweh? Rahab’s faith was indicated by her actions of ‘loyalty’ to the God of Israel, actions that showed kindness to the two spies from Israel. Q3. What does she believe about Yahweh? Rahab believes Israel’s God has power over the whole universe, that the God of Israel can do whatever he pleases in the heavens and on the earth, countries are at His disposal, that He is the all powerful, Almighty God. Q4. How deep is Rahab's faith? The depth of her faith was revealed in that Rahab feared the God of Israel, her works revealed faith springing deep from within her heart, actions full of strength and courage as she stood against the enemies of Israel. Q5. How deep a faith does someone need to have in order to be saved from the destruction of a city and from eternal punishment? All have been given a measure of “faith” to believe and the believer is called to live by their faith, for God knows our works and our thoughts, thereby our works of righteousness will be accepted as a sweet aroma up to God; It is through faith in the Messiah in which we receive ‘STRENGTH’ that enables the believer to walk the walk of faith, strength to tread the narrow road, for it is through faith in action that we are able to fight a good fight, to finish our course, never forgetting that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness.

Q1. (Joshua 2:1) What were the spies sent to learn? The spies were sent to secretly go and view the land in general, including the great city of Jericho, land which the LORD God promised to give to them. Q2. Why do you think they sought to lodge in a prostitute's house? The spirit of wisdom was upon Joshua is why I believe it was "wisdom" that brought the spies to Rahabs house, there they found a woman of full of "faith" in Israel's God, a woman who stood "STRONG" against the Kings men who insisted Rahab bring out the men who came to spy out the country, a woman of great "COURAGE" as Rahab deliberately lead the Kings men astray, thereby providing protection for the spies. Rahab was a Canaanite, a Gentile who did not have God's laws to meditate on day and night, she did not have a light before her path, what she did have was "FAITH." Rahab heard how "Yahweh" dried up the water of the Red sea for Israel, when they came out of Egypt; and what was done to the two kings of the Amorites and Og, whom the LORD destroyed, Rahabs "heart" melted as she came to understand the LORD their God, He is God in heaven above, and in the earth beneath.

Q4. (Joshua 1:8) What does it mean to meditate on the Word? To meditate on God's "LAW" day and night means to take time to ponder on its meaning, read it often, speak it out loud for what we speak comes from the heart, thereby we will not forget His teachings, for in them we will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth good fruit, God’s Law is a light before our path on how to love God, let us meditate on what the “Son of God” spoke to us, “He that has my commandments, and KEEPS them, it is he who loves me: and he that loves me is loved of my Father.” These are perks for those who believe and love God. Q5. What is the difference between Christian meditation and Eastern meditation, and how does God work through his Word to renew our minds? Eastern meditation calls one to empty their mind and to quiet oneself to the forces around them; Christian meditation is the opposite, it calls us to fill our minds with the Words of God, for God's Word when applied are a "POWERFUL" and life changing source of renewing the mind that we may prove what is good and acceptable, and the perfect will of God.

Q3. (Joshua 1:6-8) What kinds of things might Joshua be tempted to fear if he were to allow himself to dwell on his anxieties? I believe Joshua would have been filled with great anxiety if he did not have strong "faith" in his God, the God of Israel, instead of anxiety, excitement was in the heart of Joshua for he knew the faithful and living God and he believed He would give this land to His people, Joshua reasoned, if the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into the land. (I have to wonder if what Joshua feared the most was the contentious and negative attitude of the others, for it was an attack on God, the giver of the land) Q4. What does it mean to "be strong and very courageous"? Be strong and very courageous is God's encouraging words for Joshua to continue on in faith believing, the word "strong" means to "fasten upon" - as long as Joshua stays fastened upon his God, he will be strong and very courageous. Q5. What is the distinction between weakness and strength in Joshua's situation? A distinction between weakness and strength was illustrated when 10 spies came back with a evil report saying, they are much "stronger" than we are, we are like grasshoppers in their sight, there is no way for us to stand up against such a people; what the report described was the weak spiritual state of these men, their report was void of faith and it spread fear to the people who also were lacking in faith. (It is important we surround ourselves with people of same mind) Strength was seen when Caleb and Joshua gave a good report, a report full of faith in the living and faithful God they serve, faith reporting that their God is all powerful and He would give it to the people only if they not rebel against the LORD nor fear the people of the land. Q6. What is the relationship between fear and faith? Fear is a basic human emotion that equips us with survival instincts necessary for us to respond when we sense danger or feel unsafe, there are many issues in the world and in our lives that can bring great “FEAR” to our hearts and the worst thing we can do is to pretend they are not there, the spies were correct in reporting that the people of the land were mighty and strong, however, because their report was void of faith, void of things hoped for, what they saw plagued them with defeat and great fear. It is most important we become grounded in the word for “FAITH” comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Q. Can you be courageous and still be fearful? If we are lacking in courage it might be because we do not “Fear the LORD God” and observe to do all He commands, His laws are not a yoke for they are written on the heart, this is how we delight ourselves in the Lord our awesome and fearful God.

Q1. (Joshua 1:3) In what way is God's promise to Joshua, "I will give you every place where you set your foot," a conditional promise? The “promise’ God made to Israel is "NOT" conditional on God’s part because God is faithful to keep his promises’, however, taking possession of the land "IS" conditional on Israel’s obedience and faithfulness to God. This is not about Joshua, this is about land God promised to Israel which was first promised to Abraham hundreds of years before, disobedience and grumbling against God hindered them from occupying the land, however, God’s promise to them would never be rescinded, (everything is done in God's timing). The "you" here is referring to Israel and the land God swore to their fathers to give them; it is time for them to walk in faith, to be strong and courageous, to observe and to do according to the law which Moses commanded them. The key for Israel to prosper wherever they go is for them to meditate on God's laws so they may observe to follow accordingly, for it is in their willingness to do them that they will find the way to success. I believe that is good advice for the believers today, obedience is better than sacrifice. Q2. What's wrong with a faith that consists primarily of the philosophy: "If God wants me to have it he will give it to me"? Philosophy to me reflects on "SELF" - God laughs at the philosophy of man for they are contrary to the plan of God. The "FAITH" God is speaking about that brings success is depended on mans spiritual state, when man reflects upon God's Word to do them faith grows and the impossible then seems to be possible.

Q2. (Joshua 1:5b) Why is God's promise to be always with Joshua so important to him? Q2. (Joshua 1:5b) Why is this promise so important to you in your present situation? If God is with you, what limitations do you have? Joshua had the spirit of wisdom upon him, he saw through the eyes of faith a land of hills and valleys, a place where they may drink water of the rain of heaven, a land which the LORD their God cares for, a land where the eyes of the LORD are always upon it from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year, Joshua's dependence on God included an important key for him to succeed, he was to live entirely to the LORD and it was upon His grace alone that God's "Promise" shall come to pass. It is important the believer understand why we see the word "IF" in God's Word, and why it often goes hand in hand with God's grace and with His many promises, for it is in that knowledge that we come to understand how important it is we have circumcised hearts that hearken us unto God's commandments to love the LORD God, and to serve him with all of our hearts and with all of our soul, that we also may stand on God's promise to always be with us, that we will have the rain in due season, we will have the first rain and the latter rain, for it is in that "PROMISE" that Joshua was able to succeed.