When we keep the word of God in our mouths through meditation, speaking to ourselves, and reading aloud the scriptures, we are promised prosperity and success, along with the courage and strength to observe God’s word. Here is the charge the Lord gave to Joshua.
Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This book of the Law shall not depart from our mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:7, 8
Matthew 10 – 16
In these chapters, we will witness Jesus calling His twelve apostles and sending them out with authority and power to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick. John the Baptist is in prison and having doubts about his prophecy of Jesus as the Lamb of God and sends delegates. Jesus responds with what is happening and that blessed is he who is not offended because of Him. Jesus has a way of offending. The call to rest for our souls and to know what this means, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice,” are given in chapters eleven and twelve.
Thirteen is the chapter of Parables, beginning with the Sower. John the Baptist is beheaded by Herod in chapter fourteen. Jesus, upon hearing, departs to a deserted place by Himself, but the multitudes follow so He heals, teaches, and feeds them. That’s overcoming evil with good. More conflicts with the Pharisees and then Jesus questions His disciples, “Who do you say I am?” Peter sees, by the Father’s gift, and misinterprets the meaning by seeking man’s interest. Growth is coming.
Revelation 15 –21
We begin with the bowls of judgments and then Mystery, Babylon the Great Harlot, and her judgment. The fall of Babylon is described while the world mourns. We will witness the marriage supper of the Lamb, and the return of the Lamb and His Bride on white horses to destroy Earth’s rebellion and to bind Satan for a thousand years. Judgment of mankind follows at the great white throne of judgment, (We are not judged there, we have been judged at the judgment seat of Christ, to determine rewards and freedom from what has bound). The great white throne of judgment is to determine punishment for eternity to those without Christ.
Chapter twenty-one is the New Heaven and New Earth, and the Bride, the Lamb’s wife – New Jerusalem.
Numbers 28 – 36
We will finish Numbers this week. The Lord gives commands to Moses regarding the offerings made by fire, Sabbath, monthly offerings, and the offerings for the Feasts. Chapter thirty is laws concerning vows, interesting truth about “tacit” consent and its consequences is found in verses 6 – 8.
Chapter thirty-one is about God’s vengeance on the Midianites and how to return from war. Thirty-two is where the tribes of Gad and Rueben request their inheritance on the west side of the Jordan. The journey of Israel from Egypt and instructions for the conquest of Canaan along with the boundaries of the entire inheritance of Israel in Canaan is given before they have one inch of the land. Cities of Refuge are marked off, female heirs are addressed.
Psalms 71 – 75
We have David share in Psalm 71, Solomon in Psalm 72, and Asaph in Psalms 73 – 75. Pay attention to Asaph in Psalm 73, he shares his honest struggle with the seeming prosperity of the wicked and struggles of the righteous. Verses 16 and 17 reveal the pain and the way out of this conflict of the soul.
Jeremiah 43 – 47
Jeremiah is taken to Egypt and the Lord continues to plead with Israel to give up their idolatry. Insanity had taken hold of the Israelites and their pride and stubborn hearts are revealed.
In chapter forty-five Baruch, Jeremiah’s assistant, is promised his life as a prize.
Beginning in chapter forty-six the judgment of the nations is declared, beginning with Egypt and then Philistia in chapter forty-seven.
