“Glory to the Precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ”

Galatians 6: 12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen

Hallelujah 

We, the bride, the church should not mix our soul with the deeds of the Gentiles and we must be careful.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, in the portion of the Bible that we meditated upon in the past days, we meditated that we, the bride, the church should be careful in eating food provisions. This is because from the food provisions our soul will receive goodness and will attain evil. The reason for this is that we, who have received the covenant with Christ, we should not eat the food provisions by mixing it along with the old traditional life. Otherwise we should not partake in their foods and that is what the word of the Lord is telling us. But if we are not careful, the enemy will deceive us by using anyone. Then that will result in being evil for us. But if we will obey the word of the Lord and walk accordingly then it will result in goodness for us. 

In this manner, they, the Hivites came to Joshua and the children of Israel cunningly and because they deceived them, the children of Israel took their foods, and not only did they eat it but Joshua made a covenant with them.

Next, what we are meditating is that Joshua 9: 16 – 20 And it happened at the end of three days, after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours who dwelt near them. 

Then the children of Israel journeyed and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kirjath Jearim. 

But the children of Israel did not attack them, because the rulers of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel. And all the congregation complained against the rulers.

Then all the rulers said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel; now therefore, we may not touch them. 

This we will do to them: We will let them live, lest wrath be upon us because of the oath which we swore to them.”

When we meditate upon the above-mentioned verses, at the end of three days, after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours who dwelt near them. Then the children of Israel journeyed and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kirjath Jearim. But the children of Israel did not attack them, because the rulers of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel. And all the congregation complained against the rulers. Then all the rulers said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel; now therefore, we may not touch them. This we will do to them: We will let them live, lest wrath be upon us because of the oath which we swore to them.”

That is, in Joshua 9: 21- 23 And the rulers said to them, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for all the congregation, as the rulers had promised them.”

Then Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you dwell near us? 

Now therefore, you are cursed, and none of you shall be freed from being slaves—woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”

When we meditate upon the above-mentioned verses, to keep them alive what the rulers said we will do is that because they said that let them be woodcutters and water carriers for all the congregation, Joshua called for them and said you are cursed, and you will do these works and be as slaves. He said that this ministry will not be removed from you.

So they answered Joshua and said, “Because your servants were clearly told that the Lord your God commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; therefore we were very much afraid for our lives because of you and have done this thing. And now, here we are, in your hands; do with us as it seems good and right to do to us.” So he did to them and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, so that they did not kill them. And that day Joshua made them woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, in the place which He would choose, even to this day.

My dear people, what the above-mentioned facts is that like this many Israelites, those who are anointed change their friends according to their circumstances. The reason for that is because there is no complete salvation within them many are becoming involved with fleshly thoughts. Even the servants of God will also be in such deeds of the flesh. Therefore God is showing this as a pattern and using Joshua God is explaining it clearly and showing us. Many people are not leaving the traditional deeds. 

Therefore, my dear people so that our soul does not get deceived, we should receive wisdom from God, and we must preserve discretion. The spies that Joshua sent because they gave place to Rahab, the harlot she is dwelling among the Israelites till this day. In this manner, by giving place to the Gentiles and making a covenant with them, the Gentiles are deceiving the Israelites. 

Therefore, so that we are not deceived in this manner by the Gentiles we must be careful and we must submit ourselves to God.

Let us pray. May the Lord bless you all abundantly. 

- To be continued