Copyright © 2008 Jon Straumfjord
Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days … And … the LORD called Samuel. …
Then the LORD said to Samuel: "Behold, … I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken …
So Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel … knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the LORD. (1 Samuel 3:1-2,11-12,19-20, NKJV)
Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, "If you return to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines." So the children of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only.
So they … fasted that day, and said there,"We have sinned against the LORD."…
So the children of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines."
… Then Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him.
So the Philistines were subdued, and they did not come anymore into the territory of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.
And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. (1 Samuel 7:3,4,6,8,9,13,15, NKJV)
… when Samuel was old … he made his sons judges over Israel…. But his sons did not walk in his ways …
Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, "… Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations."
But the thing displeased Samuel … And the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. (1 Sam 8:1,3-7, NKJV)
Samuel (literally "Heard by God"), an Ephraimite (a descendant of Joseph), the son of Elkanah and Hannah, was miraculously conceived as the result of prayer (1 Samuel 1:1-20), and given to the Lord as a gift: he became the Israelite slave of Eli, the High Priest (1 Samuel 1:21-2:11). Since Samuel was neither a Levite nor a priest, he was forbidden from touching any of the holy things within the tabernacle, the tabernacle itself, the altar in front of the tabernacle, and even the curtains of the courtyard around the tabernacle. He was basically relegated to performing such menial tasks as carrying water, getting wood for the fire, tanning hides, and taking out the garbage, and yet, he performed his duties as unto the Lord.
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Posted by Walt as Bible Study at 11:37 PM EDT
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Copyright © 2008 Jon Straumfjord
Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor, but he was the son of a harlot; and Gilead begot Jephthah. Gilead's wife bore sons; and when his wife's sons grew up, they drove Jephthah out, and said to him, "You shall have no inheritance in our father's house, for you are the son of another woman." Then Jephthah fled from his brothers and dwelt in the land of Tob; and worthless men banded together with Jephthah and went out raiding with him.
It came to pass after a time that the people of Ammon made war against Israel. And … the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob. Then they said to Jephthah, "Come and be our commander, that we may fight against the people of Ammon."
So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead,"Did you not hate me, and expel me from my father's house? Why have you come to me now when you are in distress?" (Judges 11:1-7, NKJV)
Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and commander over them … (Judges 11:11, NKJV)
So Jephthah advanced toward the people of Ammon to fight against them, and the LORD delivered them into his hands. And he defeated them from Aroer as far as Minnith — twenty cities — and to Abel Keramim, with a very great slaughter. Thus the people of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel. (Judges 11:32-33, NKJV)
And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried among the cities of Gilead. (Judges 12:7, NKJV)
Jephthah was a warrior, and the son of one of his father's concubines. Because he was also the firstborn son of Gilead, he had some claim to the inheritance of Gilead, at least until his half brothers drove him away. So Jephthah went to live on the border between Israel, and Syria near Damascus, on the outskirts of the territory of Gilead, and began raiding among the towns, cities and territories of the enemies of Israel. Even though it was beneath him to either beg or seek charity, Jephthah had no trouble pillaging the defenseless, and began leading a band of marauders to terrorize the countryside.
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Posted by Walt as Bible Study at 7:40 AM EDT
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Copyright © 2008 Jon Straumfjord
… Manoah's … wife was barren and had no children. And the Angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, "… you shall conceive and bear a son. … be careful not to drink wine or similar drink, and not to eat anything unclean. For … you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines." (Judges 13:2-5, NKJV)
So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it upon the rock to the LORD…. as the flame went up toward heaven from the altar — the Angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar! When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell on their faces to the ground. (Judges 13:19-20, NKJV)
So the woman bore a son and called his name Samson; and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him. And the Spirit of the LORD began to move upon him … (Judges 13:24-25, NKJV)
So Delilah said to Samson, "Please tell me where your great strength lies, and with what you may be bound to afflict you." (Judges 16:6, NKJV)
Then the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza. They bound him with bronze fetters, and he became a grinder in the prison. However, the hair of his head began to grow again after it had been shaven. (Judges 16:21-22, NKJV)
… they called for Samson from the prison, and he performed for them….
Then Samson called to the LORD, saying, "O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!" And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars which supported the temple, and he braced himself against them, one on his right and the other on his left. … he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on … all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life. (Judges 16:25, 28-30, NKJV)
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Posted by Walt as Bible Study at 11:09 PM EDT
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Copyright © 2008 Jon Straumfjord
Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward…. (1 Samuel 16:13, NKJV)
Now the Philistines gathered their armies together to battle …
And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits {9 feet} and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head, … a coat of mail, … bronze armor on his legs and a bronze javelin between his shoulders. (1 Samuel 17:1,4-6, NKJV)
And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid.
And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth."
But David said to Saul, "… Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God…. The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." (1 Sam 17:24,33-37, NKJV)
Then [David] took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.
So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and … David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it.
And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent. (1 Samuel 17:40,50,51,54, NKJV)
Immediately after Samuel anointed David to be king, the Holy Spirit came upon David. He had lived a life of faith before he was anointed by Samuel, but he now had a new and more powerful relationship with the Lord through the Holy Spirit.
Shortly after his anointing, David came into the presence of Goliath, the giant of Gath. The Israelites and Philistine armies had arrayed themselves on opposing hills, with a valley between the two. Since Goliath was a minister of fear and intimidation, he continually displayed his gleaming bronze armor and physical prowess before the armies of Israel, all the time slandering the name of the Lord God of Israel.
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Posted by Walt as Bible Study, History at 7:01 PM EDT
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By Christopher Adamo
The American public, and Christians in particular, are being deluged once again with talk of the thoroughly ambiguous concept of “social justice.” It is, after all, election time. Thus the pseudo religious among us must make their pitch for the Christian vote, on whatever spurious terms they can concoct.
In its raw form, “social justice” merely references the prevailing societal attitudes of the day, relegating any defining standards of right or wrong, good or evil, and moral or immoral to a snapshot of the existing consensus. Biblical principles notwithstanding, “social justice” has throughout time been equally applicable to those crowds shouting “crucify him,” the burning of “heretics” at the stake during the inquisition, and even the holocaust.
It is therefore no great wonder that the “Reverend” Jeremiah Wright, in his venomous and racist rantings against America, would seek refuge under the umbrella of “social justice” when attempting to defend his positions.
In its modern form, it represents a conglomeration of environmental extremism, coupled with the Marxist concept of a government empowered to confiscate the property of one citizen for the purpose of purchasing the loyalty of another. But since the ultimate reality of such false generosity and sanctimony conflicts with foundational Biblical truth, substitute “truths” must be cited in their stead. No less a mutation of reality is sufficient to legitimize socialism or environmental extremism under the guise of “spirituality.”
Possibly the most notable and outlandish example in recent memory is Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s fabricated “scripture” asserting that one must worship the environment in order to worship God. Those who are truly familiar with Scripture know that the first chapter of Romans contains a stern admonition against that very notion. But while few among Pelosi’s ranks have ever had any interest in fact as derived from such dry and rigid source material, their current transparent attempts to redefine Christian citizenship merely represent a continuation of similar sordid efforts over the years.
The stunning collapse of Democrat fortunes in the 1994 elections caused party operatives to realize that they had suffered from an enormous disconnect from mainstream America and its traditional values. But, being thoroughly unwilling to actually embrace or even comprehend those values, liberal Democrats concluded that the only alternative, if they were ever to regain that portion of the electorate, was to offer an alternative set of “values” that might resonate with the American heartland while not conflicting with the liberal socialist agenda.
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Posted by Walt as Politics, Social Issues at 10:38 PM EDT
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Copyright © 2008 Jon Straumfjord
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. (Hebrews 11:30-31, NKJV)
Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly….
So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there.
[Rahab] took the two men and hid them.
she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall.
And the LORD said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.
[the priests] who bore the ark came to the Jordan, dipped [their feet] in the edge of the … [Jordan] …, the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap … and the people crossed over opposite Jericho. Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan.
the LORD said to Joshua: "…You shall march around [Jericho], all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days. And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets…. all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat…." (Joshua 2:1-2,4,15, 3:7,15-17, 6:2-5 NKJV)
Joshua was now the leader of the nation of Israel, a commission he had accepted in faith. The first task the Lord gave him was to enter the land of Canaan and attack the fortress of Jericho. Even as Moses had lead the nation of Israel through the Red Sea, the Lord performed a similar miracle on Joshua's behalf at the Jordan River during flood season.
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Posted by Walt as Bible Study, History at 12:00 AM EDT
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Copyright © 2008 Jon Straumfjord
Then the LORD … said [to Gideon], "Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?"
So he said to Him, "O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house."
So Gideon went in and prepared a young goat, and unleavened bread …
Then the Angel of the LORD put out the end of the staff that was in His hand, and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. And the Angel of the LORD departed out of his sight. (Judges 6:14,15,19,21, NKJV)
… the same night … the LORD said to [Gideon], "… tear down the altar of Baal that your father has, … and build an altar to the LORD your God on top of this rock … So Gideon … did as the LORD had said …. But … by night. (Judges 6:25-27, NKJV)
Then the LORD said to Gideon,"By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand. (Judges 7:7, NKJV)
Now the Midianites and Amalekites, … were … as numerous as locusts; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the seashore in multitude. (Judges 7:12, NKJV)
Then he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet into every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and torches inside the pitchers. … When I blow the trumpet, … then you also blow the trumpets on every side of the whole camp, and say, 'The sword of the LORD and of Gideon!'" (Judges 7:16-18, NKJV)
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Posted by Walt as Bible Study at 11:53 PM EDT
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BAY MINETTE, Ala. — A Christian student told he could not perform a religious song at a high school talent show was permitted to perform it with another student Friday, after ADF attorneys representing the student sent a letter to Baldwin County Public Schools officials on his behalf. The student’s song won the talent show.
“Christian students shouldn’t be discriminated against for expressing their beliefs,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel David Cortman. “In this case, students were invited to perform an act of their choosing. It was a violation of our client’s constitutional rights to tell him what song he could or could not include simply because it was religious in nature. Once we explained this to the school district, it did the right thing. Officials there should be commended for deciding to respect the First Amendment rights of their students.”
Spanish Fort High School invited students to perform at an April 11 talent show. Timothy “T.J.” McCarty, a senior, submitted two songs to perform, both of which contained religious messages. A teacher facilitating the show and the school’s principal prohibited McCarty and another student from co-performing one of the songs because it was deemed “too religious.”
After district officials received a letter from ADF attorneys advising them of McCarty’s constitutional rights, the school agreed to let him perform both songs. McCarty co-performed the song that was originally prohibited, and which ultimately won the talent show, by accompanying another student who sang the song while he played piano. McCarty took second place with his other song, which he sang himself.
“Students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate,” said ADF Legal Counsel Jeremy Tedesco. “ADF will continue to be available to students and school districts that wish to know more about the free speech and religious expression rights students have under the Constitution.”
A copy of the letter sent to Baldwin County Public Schools officials by ADF attorneys April 4 is available at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/SpanishFortLetter.pdf.
ADF is a legal alliance defending the right to hear and speak the Truth through strategy, training, funding, and litigation.
www.telladf.org
Posted by Walt as Constitutional Issues, News Events at 10:39 PM EDT
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Copyright © 2008 Jon Straumfjord
After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, … the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: "Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, {D1} arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them — the children of Israel. {P1} Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, … {P2} No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; {P3} as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. {P4} I will not leave you nor forsake you. {D2} Be strong and of good courage, … be strong and very courageous, that you may {D3} observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. {D4} This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall {D5} meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. {P5} For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success…. Be strong and of good courage; {D6} do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for {P6} the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:1-9, NKJV)
Moses had been a prophet like none other in the entire history of Israel, and was probably the very first apostle, the second being Jesus Christ Himself (Hebrews 3:1-2, Deuteronomy 18:15-1). The nation of Israel had learned to respect and obey Moses over their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Moses had demonstrated his power and authority through a variety of miracles that had been performed through him, and through the demonstration of the wisdom the Lord had bestowed upon him. Now that Moses was dead, a new leader had to be commissioned.
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Posted by Walt as Bible Study, History at 9:42 PM EDT
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Copyright © 2008 Jon Straumfjord
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. (Hebrews 11:27-28, NKJV)
Moses had a revelation that he was going to be a deliverer of the nation of Israel out of bondage to Pharaoh. However, instead of patiently waiting for the Lord to move in His time and power, Moses initiated an ill-advised and murderous effort without the Lord's direction. As a consequence, Moses spent forty unnecessary years in Midian, and the nation of Israel spent an extra thirty years in bondage to Egypt. However forty years in Midian greatly humbled the arrogant Moses, making him ready to be commissioned by the Lord for the work to which he had been called.
After an encounter with the Lord at the Burning Bush (Exodus 3:1-4:17), Moses returned to Egypt to confront the son of the Pharaoh from whom he had fled forty years previously (Exodus 4:18-31,7:7, Acts 7:24). In fact, Moses was very confrontational with the new Pharaoh, continually demanding that the entire nation of Israel leave Egypt to go worship the Lord in the desert. Every time Pharaoh refused, Moses made a prophetic proclamation, and released another plague on the Egyptian deities, Pharaoh, and the entire nation of Egypt (Exodus 5:1-10:29). However, rather than becoming more compliant to the demands of the Lord, Pharaoh became increasingly resistant, even against the expressed wishes of his own advisers and the desires of his own people, which lead to one final confrontation:
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Posted by Walt as Bible Study at 8:43 PM EDT
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