Who is God? And, how can we find God - Bible answers.

By Joseph MalekaniReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Who is God? And, how can we find God - Bible answers. episodes

September 08, 2021 Joshua 5
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/09/08/joshua-5/
Joshua 5 Commentary
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The battle of the two city-states Jericho and Ai are detailed and communicates key thoughts on the conquest of the Promised Land by Israel. That is the subject for the next 4 chapters. But first we look at chapter 5 which begins by talking about the reaction of the Amorite peoples as Israel advances. The circumcision at Gilgal and the first ever Passover event in the Promised Land are also detailed. Manna stops and importantly, chapter 5 glances at the appearance of a mystical figure who identifies himself as the Commander of the armies of the LORD.
Miracles are an important armory in our battles. See how the crossing of the Jordan River on dry ground creates fear in the enemy camp! It does make sense to pray for things like this.
Circumcision was a contractual condition in the Abrahamic covenant with the LORD. The nation in transit didn’t have chance to attend to this very important ritual. And the LORD understood. But now that the community was beginning to settle, the LORD demanded that Israel observed this ritual. By this ritual the LORD rolled away the reproach of Egypt from Israel. Does this statement from the LORD give us a better understanding of this ritual?
The supply of manna stopped with the first harvest of the land. The weaning process was cut-throat. The LORD doesn’t have such fancy management terms like ‘phased implementation’. Israel needed to fend for herself henceforth. Full stop.
And who is this man with a drawn sword who attracts the attention of Israel’s Commander-in-Chief? An Angel? The LORD Jesus Christ pre-incarnate? For one thing, we know angels never accepted worship. The instruction to Joshua to take off his sandals draws comparisons with the burning bush experience. The LORD has shown up as the man of war! Let the conquest begin! He and not Joshua is the real Commander-in-Chief.
“Are you for us or for our enemies?” Neither. The answer is very interesting. Don’t ask your boss stupid questions! This seems to be a military response to Joshua’s question. You simply answer, ‘sir, yes sir’. Obedience. Simply obey. In the next chapter we shall see very ‘silly’ instructions to overthrow Jericho. Joshua should simply obey. What a word for the saint today! More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
3 min
September 07, 2021 Joshua 4 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/09/07/joshua-4-commentary/
Joshua 4 Commentary
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The LORD commands Joshua to collect stones from the Jordan River in memory of the miraculous crossing. The community must remember this moment of generosity. Importantly, their children must hear about this miracle. It is possible that the LORD would not repeat this miracle. But with this record their children can learn to trust the LORD.
Parents must find time to communicate the many divine deliverances that they have experienced to their children. Children must respond in faith and trust the same LORD to show mercy again. These things are written for us to believe and draw strength from these moments of special intervention.
There is a place for the servants to experience elevation in the presence of God. That day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they stood in awe of him all the days of his life, just as they had stood in awe of Moses.
No sooner had they set their feet on the dry ground than the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and ran at flood stage as before. Other than the stones and the testimony of the people that experienced it, this miracle left no evidence as the LORD normalized everything. That was a miracle by itself. Miracles come for a purpose and once that is done they quickly disappear. Normality returns. The unbelieving world will have difficulties proving such events but they are not meant for them. These events are for the children of God who must reflect on the generosity of the LORD and find joy from it.
A car parked outside may be the only evidence that you have. For some it may be a job, a house or even a good income or a meal. You may want your children to know who the real provider is.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
2 min
September 06, 2021 Joshua 3 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/09/06/joshua-3-commentary/
Joshua 3 Commentary
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And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses". Joshua 3 verse 7. When the LORD lifts a man the result is humility. Any other form of exaltation leads to pride of heart, arrogance of character and general disrespect for fellow man. In His own timing and by providence, the LORD does exalt man from time to time but the objective is that “they may know that I am with you”.

But there is more to the miracle of crossing the Jordan River on dry ground. The crossing of the Red sea was just a story to many of them. This new generation needed to have their own story to tell. The LORD commands them to preserve stones from the middle of the Jordan as a memorial. Throughout the Torah we saw how the LORD commanded Moses to preserve memories of great events. The human mind must be helped to remember the goodness of the LORD.
Joshua begins with an instruction to the community to consecrate themselves in readiness for God’s intervention. The community is further instructed to follow the Ark of the Covenant. They needed to know which way to go “since they had never been that way before”. It is indeed a strange situation that some people seek the LORD’s intervention without consecration. And the saint who wakes up in the morning not knowing the way to take does well to open the word and seek direction.
This most important box (the Ark) is nothing but ‘two tablets of stone’ on which the law was written. Can following or obeying the law help me find employment or even put food on the table? Yes. Absolutely. That is all the LORD demanded of Israel and I think the command remains for the saint today.
The story of a presidential candidate who was detained for political reasons can help us. The Inspector General of police went out of his way and granted permission to the wife of the prisoner to see her husband. It cost him his job. Several years later this prisoner became president and remembered the professionalism of the police chief and restored him to his position. A good was done. The law of the LORD was obeyed. The LORD took note and the man was rewarded for it.
The key line here is that the LORD elevates man in order to make a name for Himself. But who wouldn’t hold a glass of juice properly and respectfully even if the glass itself isn’t juice? Obedience is underlined. Consecration is good preparation for God’s intervention. The result is victory for the saint, exemplified here by the miracle of the crossing of the Jordan River on dry ground. Let man remember the goodness of the LORD!
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
3 min
September 05, 2021 Joshua 2 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/09/05/joshua-2-commentary/
Joshua 2 Commentary
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Joshua is aware of the scandalous report by the twelve spies and the doubt that ensued 40 years earlier. He would send spies but secretly. The number would be two and not twelve. Failure makes us wiser! The Mossad (Israeli Intelligence) would not repeat the same mistake!
The story of a prostitute who hosted the two spies and later on became the human ancestor of the man Jesus Christ underlines the importance of chapter 2. Her importance is heightened by the fact that she is one of the only 5 women that are mentioned by name in the genealogy of Jesus Christ that Matthew presents. You may want to read into this special cast of Tamah, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary. It's a blessing to read about Rahab in this Chapter.
In her line of business she met many people. Two strange customers happened to be spies sent by Joshua. Joshua's decision to send two spies secretly is a direct departure from the past where Moses sent 12 spies publicly. The Mossad did a good job and Rahab the prostitute was a good decoy and importantly she was a trusted informer. Her very words were reported to Joshua and formed the basis for an assault on the city-state.
Can a murderer find salvation in Jesus Christ? The story of Rahab says yes. This is the main pick from this story. In the book of Hebrews in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit references this very story as a moment of faith to be emulated. But to the original audience Rahab’s faith was an indictment on the nation that should have believed more. They had both seen and actually experienced these very great works that this stranger only heard about.
The saint today stands accused in the dock. It is Rahab’s faith that is condemning the saint who has experienced so much of God’s grace, yet finds space in his heart for doubt. There should be more about this woman who steals her way into the genealogy of the Messiah. The message is that Jesus will by no means reject them that come to him. And when it is done, Jesus will not hesitate to tell the entire creation who the mother is. There is no longer shame. The cleansing is complete and the sins are remembered no more.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
3 min
September 04, 2021 Joshua 1 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/09/04/joshua-1-commentary/
Joshua 1 Commentary: Joshua succeeds Moses
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Rather than an introduction to the book of Joshua, chapter 1 feels more like a continuation of the Torah. We are looking at handover notes for the new leader in Joshua. Ordinarily, these notes should be coming from Moses. There is importance in the fact that it is the LORD passing on these handover notes and not Moses. The exodus is an initiative of the LORD. Moses was simply a tool – a loyal and faithful tool. “Moses my servant”, is not a title the LORD uses for every Jim and Jack!
Verse 1 is very important because the LORD continues to speak to Joshua. We know the death of Moses isn't the end. We also know that the LORD continues to run the shows behind the man Joshua. We are therefore safe.

The notes to the new leader is can be summarized as follows:
Firstly, the history-long blessing of the LORD to Abraham will be fulfilled. Israel will settle in the Promised Land.
Secondly, the conquest of Canaan will be achieved by the LORD on behalf of Israel but Israel must provide obedience, courage and strength. We know this is a huge ask.
The LORD repeatedly urges Joshua to be strong and courageous. The LORD would provide the victory but Joshua (Israel) must be strong and courageous, very courageous. One would think obedience (righteousness) is good enough but here we have additional requirements: strength and courage.
Maybe we are talking about the same thing. Strength and courage are physical manifestations of faith. It is the loss of faith or the presence of doubt, manifesting itself as fear which made Israel wander about in the wilderness for 40 years. In short, the LORD is repeating the victory formula to Joshua. I will supply the victory but you must be obedient. Trust me.
This chapter gives us hints on the requirements for success in the Christian walk. The military strategy is very simple: obedience. The LORD knows circumstances would arise that have the potential to create great fear and consequently wash down human faith. So the LORD repeats the call for strength and courage severally in this chapter. The saint hears the same instructions today: be strong; be very courageous.
The Christian walk isn’t a walk at all. Rather, it is a military surge into enemy territory that requires military-grade obedience to the law of the LORD. The saint is warned.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
3 min
September 03, 2021 Deuteronomy 34 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/09/03/deuteronomy-34-commentary/
Deuteronomy 34 Commentary
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Deuteronomy closes with chapter 34. The chapter actually closes the first five books of the Bible collectively called ‘The Law’ - The Torah.

Moses climbs mount Pisgah. From there he could see vast sections of the land that the LORD had given to Abraham. In fact, it is this land, and this information about the land, that is the main attraction here. The long trip from Egypt is about this same piece of land.

Deuteronomy therefore ends by looking forward to a settled Israel. The occupation must begin now. The Christian walk is connected here – a heaven-ward walk. In the current context, it’s a walk back to the Garden of tranquility. The superlatives used to describe the Promised Land are all descriptive of a walk back to the Garden of Eden. But this is all symbolic of the Christian walk with the realities of heaven yet to be experienced in the fullness of time.

Deuteronomy ends here.

The Torah began by introducing God and His creation. Man was at the center of it. Times and periods are undefined but we can look at a peaceful pre-sin existence in the Garden of Eden. The peaceful and blissful existence in the presence of God was disrupted by corruption and sin. Satan is also introduced.

The blessings that the LORD had installed on the human race (Genesis chapter 1 verse 28) had been withdrawn by the end of chapter 3. There began a reign of terror and corruption. Cain commits the first ever murder and for the very first time man begins to experience physical death.

God, and not Adam, holds the very first recorded funeral - during which mercy is shown to Cain. The conflict between justice and mercy leads to Cain getting chased away but the seal of protection is a revelation of God's mercy.

Noah comes into the picture as the LORD seeks to re-establish a peaceful existence with man. But the truce cannot last as man runs to sin again. The LORD scatters man at Babel. Abraham is also scattered from there. Again the LORD seeks to restore the original blessing through Abraham and through him the entire humanity.

Isaac and then Jacob all carry the promise of the LORD to again bless mankind. Out of Jacob a nation is born. Genesis ends here and Exodus finds the holy nation enslaved in Egypt. Moses shows up and the LORD brings about a great deliverance through him.

After two years of freedom the nation is ready to enter the Promised Land. The Book of Numbers tells us of failure and consequently the nation is detained in the wilderness for 40 years.

Between Exodus and Numbers lies Leviticus. It lists various priestly laws for sanctuary worship activities. The sanctuary is man's preferred means of interacting with his God. The holiness of God demanded that even this imperfect human model of worship is perfect. That is the purpose of Leviticus.

After 40 years the nation is now ready to enter the Promised Land. But Moses must remind Israel of the laws and key lines in the law. That is the essence of Deuteronomy. The last Chapter of Deuteronomy invites us to look at the land that the LORD had promised. It closes the Torah by looking forward. It looks forward to resting (Sabbath) in the Promised Land. In this way it points to the LORD of the Sabbath - the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Amen and Amen.
4 min
September 02, 2021 Deuteronomy 33 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/09/02/deuteronomy-33-commentary/
6 min
September 01, 2021 Deuteronomy 32 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/09/01/deuteronomy-32-commentary/
Deuteronomy 32 Commentary
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Moses is to die on Mount Nebo, in Moab. The LORD allows Moses to see Canaan from afar. It was important for Moses to see what the end product of his life's purpose was coming to. It is the saint's prayer that the LORD allows one to see the fruit of his labor.

So the LORD summons Moses for a last ride up the mountain. There he would be gathered to his people - but not until an all-important album is released. It is a single. The nation is commanded to learn the song and sing it. Chapter 31 introduced it but now 32 starts it. The song is highlighted by the following declaration:

He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deuteronomy 32 verse 4.

The song hinges on facts presented in this verse. It's Perfection versus imperfection. It's a call from Perfection to the imperfect to be perfect. He does no wrong. He is faithful. He is just. On the other side is imperfection amply represented by man.

The purpose of the song is to draw man back to the perfect God. It is set as a reminder.

From this purpose (above) we can draw the conclusion that music serves to reconnect man back to God. The opposite is equally true. Bad music can draw man away from God. Earlier in our study we found a praise song done by Miriam and the women. It was a song of praise.

There is more in this particular song. The basic truth however is that man has to connect back to the LORD of grace. We should not forget. Songs therefore remind us of who we are and importantly of who we should be.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
2 min
August 31, 2021 Deuteronomy 31 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/31/deuteronomy-31-commentary/
Deuteronomy 31 Commentary
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Moses announces his retirement. It is important to know when to leave the stage. For 40 years Moses has been an obvious constant for Israel. He has literally carried them on his shoulders in intercession. Time has come for him to surrender this task to another – as posterity demands.

Joshua is the chosen one.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. These are the main lines as Moses addresses Joshua in the presence of the people. These terms are used with an understanding that they are electable attributes. One chooses to be strong. It tells us that these qualities are not inborn. They are required for the conquest of Canaan. Faith without courage and strength of character isn’t faith at all.

Then Moses turns his attention to the priests. Every seven years and during the festival of Shelters (Tabernacles or Tents or Booths), there should be public reading of the law. This is important for pulpit ministry. Regular reading of God's law is very important for passing on the 'faith received' and securing the fear of the LORD for posterity.

Moses and Joshua are summoned by the LORD. The LORD tells Moses what Israel would do soon after his death. He is then commanded to record a song and teach it to Israel. It is the subject for the next chapter, chapter 32.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
2 min
August 30, 2021 Deuteronomy 30 Commentary
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://lovingscripture.com/2021/08/30/deuteronomy-30-commentary/
Deuteronomy 30 Commentary
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If there is change of heart, the LORD would restore them. We can see the generosity of the LORD in this promise. Moses is speaking prophetically but importantly as a man who has seen history unfold. History is laid bare before him. He can see Israel default but he can also see the possibility of restoration.

Circumcision would be circumcision of the heart. Then the LORD would rain showers of blessings on the repentant community. The promise to make them more numerous than their ancestors is a reference to the blessing of increase. The land would not fail but produce abundantly. The blessing of prosperity is further highlighted by the success of agricultural activities.

Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.
Deuteronomy 30 verse 11.

So in view of Deuteronomy 28, we can all see the options.

See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.
Deuteronomy 30 verse 15.

On one side is life. On the other side is death and destruction. The exam is simple. The test is passable. The options have been fully unpacked in chapter 28. What is your choice?

Moses has a piece of advice: choose life.
More resources visit www.lovingscripture.com
2 min

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