Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

Choices without consultation

March 25, 2020

In Joshua 9 we see two ways to deal with the strength of the Lord through the Israelites. One group band together to fight while the Gibeonites use deception to establish a treaty. The error on the part of the Jews is one we all make from time to time. They failed to consult Jehovah.

When was the last time you decided without praying about it and waiting for an answer from God? Would God have approved of that purchase that turned out to be ill-advised? Has a relationship ended badly with someone that wasn’t a spiritual match? Think about the decisions you have made this week and decide which Jehovah gave guidance for. What choices need to be cleared with the Lord? If you think about it, ask Him.

Joshua 10 tells the tale of an attack on the Gibeonites by the King of Jerusalem and others that joined him. They were upset because of the treaty Gibeah had tricked the Jews into. When Joshua heard about the attack, they came to defend Gibeah.

They were being victorious, and the enemy fled. God attacked with hail that killed many. Then Joshua requested the Sun and Moon to stand still and they did until the battle was over. The five Amorite Kings were captured and executed.

One city after another is attacked and destroyed. No one is left alive in all the southern cities. Jehovah gives them the success that He promised before they crossed the Jordan. The Jews should now know how faithful God is.

The southern kingdoms have been destroyed, but in Joshua 11 the northern kingdoms band together and attack the Israelite camp. Jehovah instructs Joshua not to be afraid of the soldiers, horses, and chariots that are as numerous as the sand. He will defeat all these forces for them as He has the southern kings.

After defeating all the armies, they invaded the cities and killed every person living in them. They even destroyed all the Anakites that lived where Yahweh had promised to give them. The Anakites are the giants that frightened their parents into wandering in the wilderness for forty years.

A set back that discourages

March 23, 2020

Joshua 8 30 02

Fear is the reason for some of the Israelite’s advantages according to Joshua 5. While they were being left alone, they celebrated Passover for the first time in their new homeland. They also took care of the symbol of the Abrahamic covenant, circumcision of every male. The manna ends when they eat the first of the produce of Canaan during the celebration.

Tomorrow they attack Jericho, but today Joshua meets the commander of Heaven’s armies. You will notice that he does not tell Joshua that they are for them or against them. This is the army that will conquer Jericho and all of the Canaanite Cities.

Joshua 6 is the story of the destruction of Jericho. They begin by walking around the city with the priests leading the way and blowing trumpets. This is the way it happens for six days. The citizens of Jericho are wondering what is going on. On day seven they walk around seven times and shout.

At that shout, the walls fall. Every living thing in the walls is killed except for Rahab and her family that is saved because of her actions to protect the two spies. Nothing is to be taken by any individual. The precious metals are gathered for the Lord’s treasury. The conquest of Canaan has begun.

Have you ever done something that cost others their lives? In Joshua 7 Achan does just that. By taking some of the plunder from Jericho, Yahweh is angered against all the Israelites. When they attack the city of Ai, they are pushed back and thirty-six are killed. Joshua pleads their cause and God identifies the individual that has disrupted the conquest of their new land.

When confronted with the truth, he confesses. The judgment is swift and appears to be harsh. Jehovah wants our obedience. That is the point. No excuses and no apologies accepted. Today we are forgiven of our sins, but we must accept God’s conditions even now.

Ai still must be taken. Joshua chapter eight tells the story of the second attack. Joshua sets an ambush behind the city at night. While a force the size of the first attackers follows the previous scenario as before, the balance of the Israeli army hides. The troops from Ai follow as before. When they are defenseless, they are besieged.

The signal is the burning of the city. Then the retreating force reverses their direction. The defenders are trapped and turn to see Israelites behind them and their homes on fire. The plan works perfectly.

Two towns have been destroyed and Joshua builds an altar to worship Yahweh. The law is written on stones and read to all the people. The reminders continue.

Be strong and Courageous

March 22, 2020

Strong and Courageous

We begin the first of the books of history in the scriptures. Joshua through Second Kings gives the stories of the rise and fall of the Hebrew nation and culture. Remember we are following this journey chronologically. We will be bouncing around in the different books.

Be strong and courageous is the theme of Joshua 1. God promises to be with them and defeat those living in the land. The size and strength of the enemy will not matter. Joshua gives a three-day warning that they will cross the Jordan. The fighting men of the Gadites, Reubenites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh will move out with the other Israelites to conquer the land.

This time in Joshua chapter 2 the inhabitants of the promised land are frightened at the thought of being attacked by Israel. Two spies travel to Jericho and are hidden by a prostitute named Rahab. In exchange for their safety, they agree to spare her family when the city is destroyed. She confesses to them that everyone has heard of the crossing of the Red Sea, the defeat of Moab and other miracles that Yahweh has performed.

Do you spread the word of what God has done for you? Small things can be miracles. An accident that could have been worse. Taking a different way of traveling to and from work and hearing of an accident on the usual path is another example. Just as the stories of the Jews forty years of wandering frightened the Canaanites, our stories can encourage others to accept Christ.

Joshua 3 tells the story of the crossing of the Jordan River. The differences in this and crossing the Red Sea are interesting. The priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant step into the water before the stream stops. Because the Jordan is not a sea, but a flowing river at flood stage, the water piles up on only one side. Moses raised his hand and the sea parted until all the Israelites had crossed. This time it is the priests and the Ark that trigger the drying up of the river.

Joshua 4 tells about another difference which is the monument of twelve rocks that are taken from the river. It would be a reminder of the crossing each time they pass the rock structure. This miracle helps to establish Joshua as the official leader of the Jews.

The death of a leader

March 22, 2020

Deuteronomy 32 11 12

A Psalm or hymn is in Deuteronomy 32. The death of Moses is near, and Yahweh gives this last message in song to him. It is to be a lasting remembrance for Israel.

God is perfect, great, just, and faithful. The praises of God are singing one last time by the man who brought a nation out of Egypt as he had been called to do. He made mistakes and knew this congregation would as well. Jehovah is the infallible guide.

This song tells the history and future of Israel. Moses reminds them of who their Lord is and who they are. He reminds them that they must follow Him all their lives and through all their future if they wish to be blessed as God has promised. After he finishes, Moses is instructed in how he will leave this earth to be with God.

We need to listen to this psalm with our hearts and not just our minds. Life is a series of choices. Good or bad. We make our own destiny. We can choose Jehovah’s way or our own. That is the simple message of scripture.

Deuteronomy 33 is the blessing Moses pronounced over Israel before he went into the mountains to die. The Law is king over the descendants of Joshua. He starts with Reuben to live long and not die. Judah is to defend the Lord’s cause. Levi is to make judgments with Jehovah’s assistance. He is a teacher and minister but has a poor pastoral manner. Benjamin will shield those that God loves. Joseph is described as a jewel from above. He is a prince among his brothers. He blessed Zebulun & Issachar. Gad chose the best portion for himself and defended others. Dan is a lion’s cub. Naphtali is a favor of the Lord. Asher is the most blessed of the sons and his strength will last all his life. For some reason, Simeon seems to have been left out of this blessing.

The last the Israelites hear of Moses is Deuteronomy 34. He can see the land of Canaan but did not go in. Moses died and Jehovah buried him in Moab. Joshua took over for him as the leader. The short chapter ends with the statement that no one has ever done the awesome deeds of Moses because he saw Yahweh face to face.

We now leave the five books of the law. Joshua begins historical books. Some of these will seem long with genealogies and more statistics than storytelling. Don’t miss the good stuff by jumping over the boring.

What does the law say?

March 21, 2020

Deuteronomy 30 14 Deuteronomy 30 continues the warning by telling the Jews that even though they are scattered all over the world, Yahweh will continue to bless them. They may no longer occupy the land, and yet will continue to be a nation and someday can return to Canaan.

Obedience and disobedience are easy to determine. Simply read the word and compare it to your life. It does not take a revelation from Heaven to make these decisions. All we must do is the same. The decision to accept Christ and follow Him is easy. It is a life or death choice just as the Israelite’s decision to obey the law was.

Moses is not allowed to enter Canaan with the Israelites. This is the focus of Deuteronomy 31. Joshua has already been selected to take the leadership role. Moses reminded him to be strong and courageous.

The Law is to be read in its entirety every seven years during the year of Jubilee. This is to allow the children to learn the statutes and precepts. The word is to be taught in the home and the entire community. Sometimes we think the Church is the only place for learning about Jehovah.

God knows everything we will do. He knows of the rebellion and tragedy of the Israelites future. He also knows your life, past, present, and future. Therefore no one can guide us as He can.

Blessings and curses

March 20, 2020

Deuteronomy 28 14

The blessings of the Lord are guaranteed in Deuteronomy 28 to the Israelites, but only if they obey all the laws of Jehovah. These blessings are for protection, crops, children and in every conceivable method. These blessings will come only as a result of obedience.

The opposite is also true. If people do not follow Yahweh’s commands, they will not be blessed. Rain will not come. Crops will not grow. Healthy children will not be born. Their enemies will defeat them and drive them from their land. If they do not follow the Lord’s leadership, the land will not continue to be theirs.

The Jews of today have the land of Canaan as their homeland again. Despite this, many still live in lands all over the world. This was part of their punishment for disobedience. Another dimension is the unrest in the middle east today. Had the Jews remained faithful to Yahweh, those troubles would not exist.

Our trek through Deuteronomy now comes to verse twenty-nine. The covenant is renewed between the children of Israel and the two and a half tribes that have taken possession of the land on that side of the Jordan River. They are reminded of the history of the escape from Egypt and the wandering in the wilderness. God has been good, and He will continue to provide, but only if the people stay faithful.

Once again, the warning to avoid idolatry is made. They are told how their lives, land, and livelihood will suffer when this happens. The admonition to eliminate everything that might cause them to stray from Jehovah is repeated. They have not crossed the Jordan yet, but they must be ready to fight these temptations.

Always remember God’s Law

March 18, 2020

EPSON MFP image

Deuteronomy 17 continues the repetition of the law. The requirement for two or three witnesses before the death penalty is carried out is repeated. The Levites are the final judiciary authority if the judges cannot come to a decision. They are like our appeals courts.

Jehovah knew the Israelites would want a king like other nations and tells them to only accept a king that He gives to them. The king also must have his own copy of the Levitical law. How could the leadership help them follow Yahweh if they do not know His Statutes and principals?

We start out again in Deuteronomy 18 with a reminder that the Levites are due a portion of the sacrifices. The parts of the animal they are to receive are specified.

Today we have many who dabble in witchcraft or sorcery or are interested in reading books about these. The Harry Potter series is full of this kind of practice. Mediums are also popular in modern times. I have heard that people may not be Christians, but they claim to be spiritual. This chapter denounces all forms of spiritual practice that does not have Jehovah at the center. He finds these things detestable. For the Christian, we must keep ourselves separate from anything that He does not approve of. We are saved from our sins, but we still will suffer the consequences of them.

Prophecy is also rampant these days. Here we have the answer for how to judge a prophet of Yahweh from someone who is not. If the prophecy is true, every time, they are true prophets. If they miss, even once, they are false prophets. It is that simple.

A city of refuge as defined in Deuteronomy 19, is one of three towns that an Israelite can escape to in the event they accidentally kill someone. These communities will not protect a murderer. The avengers that cannot follow them into these cities are family or friends who are set on revenge. The eye for an eye and life for a life law is overruled in this case.

The basis for multiple witnesses in a trial is again mentioned here. This time it is not just for capital cases. Justice is an idea that God wants us to strive for. Mercy will come later.

Deuteronomy 20 begins with instructions on how to conquer their enemies in Canaan. Each battle should begin with a priest proclaiming that Jehovah will fight for them. Then the officers give anyone who has a good reason or is merely fearful, to go home. Conscientious objectors would fall into this category.

Each city should have the opportunity to surrender. If they refuse, all men are to be killed, while the women, children and all other possessions can be taken as plunder. Certain of the nations must be destroyed with no survivors or animals left alive. These people groups are the ones that they have been warned not to worship their gods.

Note the last paragraph that instructs them not to destroy fruit trees. This seems to be common sense. Fresh fruit is always beneficial to humans. It seems odd that Yahweh would add this idea to guidelines for taking the land.

A yearlong honeymoon

March 18, 2020

Deuteronomy 24 5

Would you walk a mile for a camel?

March 17, 2020

Deuteronomy 14 7 Cleanliness is next to godliness is a common saying. Deuteronomy 14 points out the things that the Israelites are to avoid keeping from being unclean. The first paragraph deals with activities that are involved in the worship of idols.

From there we look at the animals and fish that are considered clean and unclean. Simon Peter was presented with some of these unclean animals in the book of Acts. God tells him not to consider anything that God made, and He made everything, unclean. That is why many of us Christians have no problems with eating bacon and ham. I still don’t think I want to eat a camel.

The tithe is another controversial topic with some. Why does Jehovah need ten percent of everything that the fields and flocks produce? He doesn’t. Two-thirds of that is for a party in honor of Jehovah. The other third is for the Levites and the widows and orphans. Imagine how simple it would be if everyone gave ten percent of what they earned, and the church used two thirds for their members and staff and the other third for benevolence. Who would need the government?

The foundation of the American system of bankruptcy is in Deuteronomy 15. The year of Jubilee is something that no human government has ever done on a regular basis. Generosity is the foundation of Christianity. Servants and debtors are to be released from their debt.

The first functional ear piercing is discussed here. A servant that does not want to be released from their servitude is to allow the master to pierce the ear lobe. If you men want to claim that your pierced ears are for your service to the Lord, I would like to see the doorpost.

Once again, we come to the clean and unclean as well as the redemption of the first-born sons and the sacrifice of the firstborn animals. Sacrifice for redemption is established early in the life of the Israelites not because it is to continue through history, but to show why the Savior had to die. When, where and how it all related to the law of the Jews.

Deuteronomy 16 starts with the celebration of Passover. The time, the sacrifice, and the unleavened bread are all important. Remember that Jesus was sacrificed at the exact time that the Passover lambs were being killed.

The Festivals of weeks and Tabernacles are also brought up. The time, procedures, and reasons for these are given again. Repetition is the method God tries to use to enable this group to stay faithful. He also reminds us that no other god should be worshiped.

The government must also maintain justice and honest qualified judges are a necessity. These must be available in every tribe and city throughout the nation. Justice for all is an idea that did not originate in our country.

The broken record in scripture

March 17, 2020

Deuteronomy 13 6-8

The Lord reminds the Israelites in Deuteronomy 11, of all the things that He has done for them. The promise of Jehovah to give them a land that will grow plentiful food for them and their descendants is just one.

A warning is given again to obey Him and that if they do not, they will not be blessed in the way that has been promised. There is a blessing and a curse included here. They must remind themselves and their children each day of who Yahweh is and what He wants them to do in the law.

Deuteronomy 12 tells specific ways to keep from falling into the worship of other gods. Putting your faith in Jehovah is an action you must take. He will choose a place of worship. This is the worship center. Not a single temple or high place for another god is to be converted to His worship. When the early Christian church became the national church of the Roman government, many festivals and holidays were changed to Christian holidays. Christmas, Easter, and Halloween are three. We must separate the holy from the unholy because of this. That is why Christmas and other holidays are more secular than they are holy.

The priests who were descended from Levi must be taken care of. They would not have land to inherit. Their legacy was the service to God. The blood is pointed out as the part that has life in it. Blood is not to be eaten or drank. Other laws are not to be added unless specifically given by God.

Following other gods seems to be a broken record in Deuteronomy 13. Here we see that prophets or dreamers who try to direct the Israelites to other deities are to be executed. Family relationships are not to deter them from dealing with anyone who attempts to draw them from Jehovah.

Yahweh is serious about not worshiping anyone but Him and instructs the destruction of an entire town if it follows a worshiper of other gods. By stopping individuals or groups from falling into idolatry the nation can be saved from the tragedy of being rejected by The Lord. As we will read later, they did not obey these commands and suffered the consequences.