1 & 2 Samuel (Program #19) – The History Concerning David (6)

The first king in Israel was the tall, handsome, and gifted King Saul. His beginning was quite glorious and he gained the heart of the people by leading Israel to victory over her enemies, including the dreaded Philistines. Not only did the people love him, but it seemed that at least outwardly that Jehovah was with him as well. His ending however, was not so glorious, in fact it marks one of the most tragic and dramatic accounts in the whole Bible. Listen how it is described in first Samuel chapter 31, “Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines and fell down slain on Mount Gilboa. And the Philistines chased Saul and his sons; and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, Saul’s sons. And the battle bore heavily against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was badly wounded by the archers. more…

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1 & 2 Samuel (Program #12) – The History Concerning Saul (4)

After been established as king over Israel, God enabled Saul to defeat three successive enemies that were plaguing Israel. But during the course of these campaigns, it gradually become more and more clear what Saul was seeking in his own heart was not God’s kingdom, but rather to build up a kingdom or a monarchy for himself. The third of these enemies, the Amalekites had bothered the children of Israel many years before when they were traveling in the wilderness on their way to good land after leaving Egypt. After Joshua defeated them the Lord told Moses that He would war with the Amalekites from generation to generation. Because in typology, the Amalekites signified the most difficult of all of God’s enemies that is the flesh of mankind. Though king Saul may have outward success his battle against the Amalekites, inwardly he was defeated by his own compulsion to serve God according to his own flesh.

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1 & 2 Samuel (Program #6) – The History Concerning Samuel (4)

Throughout history the ark of the covenant was crucial to the nation of Israel. The Bible tells us that after the tabernacle was completed in Exodus 40, and the ark was placed in the holy of holies, then the cloud covered the tent of meeting and the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle. From that moment on the presence of the Lord was associated with the ark. Whenever Jehovah desire to move on the earth, the ark led the way. In battle as long as Israel was following the Lord, Jehovah leads and the ark was present they knew God was with them and they prevailed. However in the waning years of the ironic priesthood, not only the people in general but even the priest themselves no longer had a heart for the Lord and for His needs. Rather all of their attention were focused on their own needs, their own desire and their own security. And when in this situation they tried to use the ark in a superstitious way. Not only did the ark seem to lose its’ miraculous power but Jehovah allowed it to be taken by Philistines and and separated from the tabernacle. And the result as spoken in 1 Samuel chapter 4:22 was the greatest tragedy, for “the glory has departed from Israel, for the Ark of God has been taken”

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Numbers (Program #5) – Being Formed into an Army (5 – 6)

There is a lot of talk about spiritual warfare among believers.  Nearly all Christians have realization that there is a battle that must be waged if we are to prevail against God’s enemy.  But what are the factors that we can see from the Old Testament books like Numbers that can be helpful to us in allowing God to form us into an army to fight for Him and with Him for the accomplishment of His purpose?  We will see several things we can begin to apply immediately in our individual and corporate Christian walk on today’s program.

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Exodus (Program #46) – The Defeat of Amalek

To be sure, the Old Testament book of Exodus gives us a complete picture of God’s full salvation, from the Passover, a full type of our redemption in Christ to the feeding of God’s people with the heavenly manna and satisfying them from the flowing water from the smitten rock.  All of our genuine experiences of our Christian life are marvelously depicted.  But the picture will not be complete without the experience of the victory of Christ against the enemy of God’s people.  The battle is engaged on today’s program.

We have come to a point in Exodus that is very meaningful.  We are about to see God’s people, the nation of Israel engage in battle for the first time since their exodus out of Egypt.  Here are some excerpts of a few verses in chapter 17:8, 9, 10, 13 “Then Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim.  And Moses said to Joshua, Choose men for us, and go out; fight with Amalek…. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him and fought with Amalek…. And Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”  Some who has been following this life study closely may take issue with us in saying that this portion depict the first account of Israel fighting against the enemy.  Because they surely had an encounter with the army of Pharaoh on the occasion of their exit out of Egypt.  Why do we say that this is really their first battle?

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Zechariah (Program #10) – The Prophecies of Encouragement (2)

In Zechariah 10:3, Jehovah promised to visit His flock and make them like His horse of majesty in battle. This is a wonderful picture of the Lord’s loving visitation to His people and quite an encouragement to all believers in Christ today.

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Jeremiah (Program #7) – Jeremiah’s Call and Commission

The Bible tells us that on earth there is always a battle raging between God and all those who oppose Him and fight against Him and His purpose. But God does not fight directly against such ones. His way of fighting is always in the principle of incarnation, involving His people, specifically those who are absolutely one with Him. Such was the case in the Old Testament with the prophet Jeremiah. In the degrading and shameful condition His people Israel were in, God called and sanctified the prophet while he was still in his mother’s womb. Listen to Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; And before you came forth from the womb, I sanctified you. I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

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Isaiah (Program #45) – The All-Inclusive Christ in His Four Stages (3)

Isaiah 53 is one of the best known chapter in the Bible.  Its detailed account of the crucifixion of Christ given seven centuries before the actual event has captivated believers and historians throughout history.  Yet the short chapter end somewhat curiously.  Its final verse says “Therefore I will divide to Him a portion with the Great, And He will divide the spoil with the Strong”.  This imagery speaks of victory in warfare, the conquers dividing up the spoils of battle.  How does this fit with the striking account of Christ’s suffering and humiliating death on the cross?  Don’t miss today’s life study of the Bible.

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