Joshua (Program #11) – The Destruction of All the Nations

The last chapter in the book of Ephesians gives us the clear speaking in all of the New Testament regarding spiritual warfare. Listen to a few verses from chapter 6,  “Finally, be empowered in the Lord and in the might of His strength. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the stratagems of the devil, For our wrestling is not against blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenlies. Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Throughout the ages these verses have aspired powerful sermons, stirring hymns, indeed of incredible faith and courage by the saints. But an enlighten study of the Old Testament provides us with even more of the details of how the forces of darkness are raged against God’s people, to frustrate and limit their pursuit and enjoyment of Christ. Among these portions are the middle chapters in the book of Joshua.  We will considered the warfare of the children of Israel and how their experience can be very meaningful in understanding much of what we go through in our Christian life.

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Nahum (Program #1) – Jehovah’s Judgment on Nineveh

In the Bible story of Jonah, we probably recall, that he was fleeing, running away from Jehovah and the task that God had appointed to Him. That of bringing God’s message of judgment and repentance to the evil city Nineveh.

In the story as Jonah was trying to escape from God, he is thrown into the sea during a raging storm, only to be swallowed up by a giant fish. He remained alive in the belly of the fish for three days until he was spewed out by the fish unto dry land. Well, this is the part of the story that most of us remember and can retell it to our children. But the story continues, for eventually Jonah reached Nineveh, and not only did he proclaimed God’s righteous judgment on that evil city, but he also witness first hand Jehovah’s mercy and salvation upon the people of Nineveh.

Another book in the Old Testament, another book of the Minor Prophets, is that of Nahum. And once again the subject of the book is the city of Nineveh. Only this time we don’t see God’s mercy and compassion resulting in the salvation for the city. Rather we see God’s righteous indignation and judgment upon Nineveh resulting in the city’s ultimate destruction.  What was it about this ancient city that caused it to be the focus and so much attention by the Old Testament prophets?

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Lamentations (Program #1) – Introduction

No two books of the Bible are probably more linked than the Old Testament books of Jeremiah and Lamentations.  Jeremiah, a book of God’s judgment and punishment upon His rebellious people Israel is followed by the prophet Jeremiah’s lamentations over the sufferings of Israel.  Listen to his word in the first of these lamentations, chapter 1:1-2 “How the city sits alone That was full of people! She who was once great among the nations Has become like a widow; She who was a princess among the provinces Has become tributary.  Bitterly she weeps in the night, And her tears are on her cheeks. There is no one to comfort her Among all her lovers; All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; They have become her enemies.”  This was Jeremiah’s speaking of the utter destruction and devastation that had been visited upon the city by the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar.  And the suffering of Jeremiah reflects that of all of God’s people, especially no doubt the few righteous among them.

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Proverbs (Program #4) – The Detailed Precepts for Man To Live a Proper Human Life (2)

The book of Proverbs contains gem after gem of detailed precepts concerning how to live a proper human life. Many proverbs touch similar topics – consider these few gems that touch the benefit of learning to restrain one’s speech. First in Proverbs 10:19 “When there are many words transgression does not cease, But he who restrains his lips is prudent.” And this one from Proverbs 13:3 “He who guards his mouth keeps his soul, But he who opens wide his lips will have destruction.” And Proverbs 14:23 “In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty.” These nuggets gleaned from Proverbs all concern the same subject. In this case related to our loose talk. Being able to consider the Proverbs topically arranged in this way, gives a strong and lasting impression. And we are devoting three special programs to present this marvelous aid for our own study and appreciation of the book of Proverbs.

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Job (Program #15) – Two Trees, Two Sources, Two Lines, Two Principles, and Two Ends in the Divine Revelation of the Holy Scriptures

The Bible opens with man placed in a garden before two trees. These two trees represent two lines that run through the entire Bible. And these two lines become two ways that man can take. At the end of the Bible, the two ways issue in two ends, two results. One line or way represented by the tree of life leads to life, the eternal life, the eternal city of life – the New Jerusalem. While the other way, typified by the tree of knowledge of good and evil, leads ultimately to death and destruction.

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