Category Archives: Prophecy

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

LABNEH

It is as delicious as it is simple to make. Labneh is a thick, cheese-like dip made from plain yoghurt. It is hard to get this wrong and your family will thank you for it.
Ingredients:
1 kg of Greek yoghurt
1 tsp salt
The key to labneh is to get it to drain in the fridge for 12-24 hours.
Use the following equipment:
Cheesecloth
String
Colander or sieve
Large bowl to drain water.
Line the sieve or colander with cheesecloth. Lay it in one direction and then another. Place the colander/sieve in the large bowl.
Add the salt to the yoghurt and stir thoroughly. Place all the yoghurt into the cheesecloth lined colander, then pull the edges of the cloth and tie with a string.
Allow the liquid to drain from the yoghurt for 12-24 hours – the longer it drains, the thicker and creamier it becomes. Your kilo of yoghurt will render 500 grams of drained labneh.
Remove, place in a serving bowl, pour a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and dust lightly with paprika or some other favorited herb or spice. Serve as a dip.

Enjoy
Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

How Will Jesus Vote in the 2016 US Presidential Election?

It is an election campaign unlike any other seen in the United States. Yes, like the others, it is long and drawn out. What makes this campaign different is the ‘populism and polarisation.’ Yes, there has been shameless mudslinging: one candidate is called ‘sexist’ and ‘racist’ while the other is simply labelled ‘crooked.’ One candidate ignores accusations of being ‘inexperienced’ while the other is accused of being ‘too experienced’ in lying, corruption, and using office for influence peddling. It is an election where everyone has an opinion. One candidate represents a populist revolt of a first-time candidate while the other has been in the spotlight and political establishment for 25 years.
What are we to make of this US presidential election? Can anyone lead the US out of the estranged, highly charged atmosphere that this campaign brings?
Yet, for our purposes, we seek the opinion of the most important One of all. How would Jesus Christ vote in the 2016 US Presidential election?
There are three possible answers and amazingly they are all have validity.
Option One: Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords, does not vote. He does not belong to the Democratic Party, Republican Party, independent party, indeed, any party. This is standard fare in constitutional monarchies. The sovereign is above politics, is not a politician, is not a member of a political party, and does not cast a vote at all. When the pre-incarnate Christ was asked by a curious Joshua son of Nun if He was for Joshua and the Israelites side or for the Jericho and Canaanite side? Answer: Neither. I have not come to take sides but to take over (Joshua 5:14). Eventually the kingdoms of this world must give way to the kingdom of Christ.
Option Two: Jesus Christ will vote. God takes an active interest in the affairs of humankind.Romans 13:1 says:
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
In the history of Israel and Judah, God spoke (voted) His assessment of each of the kings. Israel had 19 kings and Judah 20. In God’s assessment, all of Israel’s kings were deemed ‘evil’ and of Judah’s only eight were called ‘good.’ The Lord’s declaration was not based on military prowess or economic management. It was based on character and compliance to God’s Word. The often used phrase was ‘He (the king) did that which was right in the sight of the LORD.’
Remember, bad people can never be good leaders, no matter how clever they are in the political, military, or economic realms. Jesus said it best ‘A good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit’ (Matthew 7:18). Character counts. The great leader of average intelligence can always hire ‘brains’ and of moderate ability can always hire ‘competence.’ However, the good leader cannot hire integrity and character. These are things that must already be operative in his or her life. Not only does God assess each leader on character, He is completely able to promote and demote any politician or candidate at will (Psalm 75:6-7).
Option Three: Jesus will vote through us. First, let’s get this straight: no politician, however intelligent, competent, clever and well-meaning, will be able to solve the massive political, economic, and social problems the United States faces. These problems are also mirrored in much of the western world, including Australia, Canada, and the UK. A great leader will make progress, a bad one will set the country back.
The reason that politicians alone are not the solution is that at the core society’s problems are spiritual; therefore, the answers are equally spiritual. So if the Godly seek the LORD for the election and follow the time-honoured counsel of II Chronicles 7:14, the classic verse on revival, which says:
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
then God promises to hear, forgive, and heal the land. After years of moral decline, plus a bruising US election campaign, it is obvious that America can use some healing. The prayers of the righteous are the way to get it.
Vote in the heavens first: The American presidential campaign has attracted extraordinary international coverage. Millions of non-Americans overseas made it a point to watch the presidential debates. It is not just because of celebrity attraction: as the world’s sole remaining superpower, what happens to America affects the entire world. Regardless of whether you are a voting American or not, a Democrat, Republican, or swing voter, the wisest thing you can do is pray for God’s will in this election. We are commanded to pray for kings and all in authority (I Timothy 2:1-4).

Remember: A vote in the heavens by prayer will affect the voting on earth. The heavenly prayer is the one Christ hears and it can change the course of history. May the best person – the one America needs, not deserves – win.
Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

From Defeat to Victory: A Lesson from Joshua Part 02

In Part 01, we looked at one of the reasons why life has bends, twists and turns, making the journey longer and harder than expected. In order to minimise and eliminate these roadblocks, it is important to learn and apply the lessons of Scripture.
If you are struggling with unanswered prayer, a roadblock on your normal path, chronically unresolved issues, or a general feeling of failure, read on. You may be experiencing exactly what Joshua did.
One of those lessons is that Joshua and the children of Israel conquered Jericho with ease, even though it was a formidable fortress. However, at their next destination Ai, which was much smaller and thus easier to conquer, they suffered a massive defeat.
The reason? Not the strength of the enemy, but because of corruption in their own heart. Israel sinned because it touched the accursed things. As long as they embraced that which God rejects, He would not be with them and they would fall before their enemies. Whether our enemies are strong or weak, we need God with us at all times.
Let’s learn more about the problem, so that we can apply the solution.
The Accursed Thing Will Defeat You
The Hebrew word for ‘accursed’ is cherem, meaning ‘to ban, devote, or design for total destruction.’ The city of Jericho was cherem, and all within was to be destroyed. However, a man name Achan, the son of Carmi, from the tribe of Judah, after the fall of Jericho, saw a Babylonian garment, silver, and gold. He coveted these accursed things and took them within his own tent. By touching cherem, he brought a curse upon himself and judgment on the entire nation.
The Bible does speak of blessing and cursing. These are real life conditions and they come with a price. According to Deuteronomy 28, when you diligently obey God’s command, you are blessed; but if you disobey, the curses will rain down on you. There are 14 verses of blessing and 54 of curses in that chapter alone.
In our day, we need to be ‘word-wise’ regarding God’s principles. Salvation in Christ is by ‘grace through faith,’ but we are still duty-bound to obey the Lord’s commands (Matthew 7:21). Obedience means holiness, sanctification, and righteousness. Jude verse 23 says the righteous would not even touch the garment soiled by the flesh.
However, to willingly embrace that which God curses will bring terrible consequences, although not necessarily immediately. We are still in an age of grace and God wants to give room for repentance. But we must never forget: we will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). Even if we eventually come around, we will lose a lot of ground and our call will only be partially fulfilled, if at all. This is a high price to pay for a few moments of sensuous pleasure.
The Remedy
The remedy: cleanse oneself from the unclean thing. Achan’s sin was discovered, he made a full confession, but unfortunately it was not enough to save him. He and his family were stoned to death in the Valley of Achor, meaning trouble. Embracing cherem is of the ultimate condemnation. Joshua 22:20 summaries the situation well:
Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the cursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? And that man did not perish alone in his iniquity.
Ultimately, Joshua led Israel into corporate repentance. Once completed, they went up to Ai a second time and prevailed.
On a positive note, let’s take a moment to focus on Rahab, whose story is in Joshua 2. It was bad enough that she was a harlot. But to add to her condemnation, she came from the accursed city of Jericho, a Canaanite of the land. In essence, she was a condemned woman.
Yet, Rahab did not share the fate of Achan. The reason: she hid the Israelite spies with peace, meaning she exercised faith. She received commendation in both testaments (Joshua 6:17, 25; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25); married a man named Salmon, and they had a child called Boaz, who married another virtuous Gentile, Ruth. Rehab and Ruth are named as an ancestors of the Messiah.

In short, embrace that which God curses and condemnation will come. Or, repent and believe the gospel and you will pass from curse to blessing. Now is the time!
Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Does Democracy Require Morality?

For the last 3 months we have been looking at the topic of democracy under threat. The erosion of basic freedoms, a tone-deaf political elite, incremental but increasing authoritarianism, failure to apply the rule of law consistently, resistance to allowing the people to vote on fundamental issues of society – all point a decline in democracy. A case in point was the Australian Federal Opposition’s thwarting of a people’s plebiscite to decide the definition of marriage. The June 23, 2016 in the UK, where the electorate voted to leave or ‘Brexit’ the European Union, was a populist exception to this rule; indeed, the Brexit vote was true democracy in action.
Yet, if we are going to see a return to functional, classic democracy, then let’s visit the question: Does democracy require morality?
‘Among a people generally corrupt liberty cannot long exist’ — Edmund Burke
Democracy is understood to be the rule of the people. This is done through their elected representatives. While it can be time-consuming, factional and, at times, messy, it also is the best guarantor of human rights and individual freedoms. This is due, in part, because the main coordinates of power – the executive branch, legislative branch, and judicial branches of government – are separated and independent. In addition to ‘separation of powers’ is what we call ‘balance of power.’ All three branches are given power and limitations on that power; the desired result is that no branch of government gets too much power. This is meant to prevent dictatorships and coup d’tats.
‘Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters’ – Benjamin Franklin
The collective wisdom of America’s founding fathers, the ones who established the first modern democracy, is that morality and democracy, with its accompanying freedoms, go hand-in-hand.
‘We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion . . . Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other’ – John Adams
In the American colonies in the 18th Century, there was the Great Awakening, a revival that helped lay the moral foundation of the American republic and constitution. In Britain at the same time was the Wesleyan revival; it has been said that without this the UK would have faced a blood-filled revolution like their French neighbours across the English Channel. With the needful separation of church and state, both flourished without being encroached upon by the other. That’s why pulpits on both sides of ‘the pond’ were on fire for the LORD.
‘Religion and morality are the essential pillars of civil society’ – George Washington
Morality includes character that honours high precepts like the Ten Commandments. It is also a commitment to truth. Two famous US Presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, were famous for their truthfulness, even if it was inconvenient and inexpedient. That’s why when truth is compromised, so is morality, and then by extension democracy itself.
‘No people can be great who have ceased to be virtuous’ – Samuel Johnson
Morality and virtue have taken a beating in the last year’s. The rebellious 1960s, the advent of postmodernism with its nihilism, relativism, and repudiation of absolute truth, increasingly Biblical illiteracy, and a spirit of deception and delusion in public and private, it is more challenging to get the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Yet our search for truth must continue because without it we speak the devil’s language (John 8:44).
‘A country cannot subsist well without liberty, nor liberty without virtue’ – Jean Jacques Rousseau
Those who name the name of Christ need to depart from iniquity. Instead, ‘salt and light’ integrity should be cultivated. Integrity means to be sincere, honest, and morally upright. You don’t have to be a Christian to have these qualities, but you do need to be following Jesus in order to be ‘salt of the earth and light of the world.’
A state is nothing more than a reflection of its citizens; the more decent the citizens, the more decent the state’ – Ronald Reagan
Bible-preaching, Spirit filled, evangelistically inclined and missional minded churches are the best guarantee for the continuance of democracy. They provide the moral teaching that fosters good citizens who are committed to truth and integrity. When this happens, democracy will be safeguarded.

‘Righteousness exalteth a nation’ – Proverbs 14:34
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When All is Lost – Why Study the Book of Ruth

The circumstances could not have been more tragic. A Judean woman moves to Moab because of famine in her homeland. After arrival to this foreign land her husband dies an untimely death. Her two sons marry local Moabite girls, but like their father, they also die prematurely. There were no children, either. With no government safety net or church support, or children to send out to work, the situation was hopeless.
What can you do in such circumstances?
Welcome to the Book of Ruth. Far from being a quaint, romantic tale, Ruth is a powerful manifesto of redemption – from tragedy to triumph. When all seems to be lost, redemption comes in and turns everything around –  even more than you can imagine.
And there is more. What was really at stake was not merely the fortunes of two widows – it was the Messianic lineage itself from Abraham to David. The redemption of Ruth restored this broken line. Though a Gentile from a despised race, Ruth became an honoured matriarch who is named an ancestor of the Messiah (Matthew 1:5).
What were the keys that turned this hopeless situation around?
First, it was Ruth’s faithfulness. She put all her trust in the God of Israel. Her faithfulness to God is matched by her legendary care of her widowed mother-in-law, Naomi. ‘Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God’ Ruth 1:16ff (NKJV) was her famous statement of commitment.
Second, God’s faithfulness. The LORD made provision for such tragedies through two means. First, regarding food for the needy, Israelites were commanded to leave the corners and fringes of their harvest field untouched so that the poor, stranger, fatherless, and widows can glean therein and have food (Leviticus 19:10; Deuteronomy 24:21). Ruth went to glean in the fields and caught the attention of an older man named Boaz.
Another provision of God was the ‘kinsmen-redeemer’ or go’el in Hebrew. This means a male relative (brother) takes on the widow and raises up a descendant for the deceased brother. This is called ‘Levirate Marriage,’ described in Deuteronomy 25. Since Naomi had no more sons to offer Ruth, here again all seemed lost.
Yet this same Boaz, who took notice of Ruth in his harvest field, also happened to be a relative. When Naomi saw the favour Ruth enjoyed in the eyes of Boaz, she ‘nudged’ her to invite him to do the duty of a kinsman-redeemer. The ‘Naomi nudge’ at home turned into a ‘Ruth nudge’ at the threshing floor. Once he was nudged, Boaz, son of Salmon and Rahab, wasted no time in trying to secure Ruth’s redemption.
After quickly clearing the last hurdle, Boaz married Ruth, they had a son called OBED, and redemption came to Ruth, Naomi, Elimelech, Mahlon and Chilion. Ruth, daughter-in-law of Rahab, became the great-grandmother of David. The Messianic line was preserved.
The bottom line: When you put all your trust in the LORD, there is never a situation where ‘all is lost.’ God’s redemption means you will find your blessing, with dividends.
Hebrew:  Ruth
Author:  Unknown. Probably written in the time of David, great-grandson of Ruth.
Christ:  Kinsman-Redeemer.  Go’el
1.       He was a blood relative to Israel and Son of man to the Gentiles.
2.       Redeemer must be free Himself. Christ is totally free.
3.       Purchased redemption with His priceless blood (Boaz did it with money).
4.       Needs to buy back forfeited inheritance. Christ the Redeemer has the power to buy back all that was lost.
5.       Must be willing to marry the widow. Christ has a bride (Romans 7:4).
Theme: Power of Redemption

Book of Ruth:

A Simple Outline
CHAPTER ONE: Tragedy for Naomi & Ruth
LOCATION: Moab
The Unfortunate Move of Elimelech & Naomi
1:1-5
Ruth’s Transformational Decision
1:6-18
Ruth Moves to Judah with Naomi
1:19-22
CHAPTER TWO: The Toil of Ruth
LOCATION: Fields of Boaz
Ruth Gleans in Boaz’s Field
2:1-3
Ruth Finds Favour With Boaz
2:4-18
Naomi Revives
2:19-23
CHAPTER THREE: Trust in Action
LOCATION: Threshingfloor
Naomi ‘Nudges’ Ruth Towards Boaz
3:1-5
Ruth ‘Nudges’ Boaz
3:6-9
Boaz Agrees to be a Kinsman-Redeemer
3:10-15
Naomi Transformed: From Pessimist to Optimist
3:16-18
CHAPTER FOUR: Triumph and Redemption
Location: Bethlehem City Gate
Boaz Redeems
4:1-10
Boaz Marries Ruth
4:11-12
Ruth Gives Birth to Obed
4:13-17
Genealogy of David
4:18-22
Note: We offer an 8 hour audio MP3 verse-by-verse commentary on the Book of Ruth, including 30 pages of printable PDF notes. It is part of our larger ‘Understanding the Bible Series.’ For further information, go to
http://www.tan.org.au/shop/understanding-the-book-of-ruth/  for a copy sent in the mail
OR
Immediate download:

http://www.tan.org.au/shop/understanding-the-book-of-ruth-digital-download-audio-mp3/
Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Renee’s Lebanese Kitchen: Baked Kibbeh or Kibbeh in a Tray

Kibbeh is Lebanon’s national dish: a combination of lean mince meat, cracked wheat, and spices. Traditionally you could hear the sound of the the Lebanese village cook pulverising the meat in a mortar and pestle all day long. Today, the meat grinder or food processor does a pretty good job.

Served with a tossed salad or, better still, tabouli, kibbeh is a real treat – piping hot or cold out of the fridge. It can be served as a ‘football’ but this recipe is kibbeh baked in a tray.
Kibbeh Base
1 1/4 cup fine cracked wheat (also known as burghul – for the gluten intolerant, use corn couscous)
350 grams very lean lamb, finely ground
3 Tablespoons diced onions
2 Tablespoons chopped mint leaves
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoons pepper
1/2 teaspoons allspice
Wash cracked wheat and set aside for 45 minutes to drain thoroughly.
The lamb meat must be finely ground until its pulverised. Either do so in your own machine or obtain from a Middle East butcher (in a pinch, you can use extra lean lamb or beef from the supermarket). Add the mint and onions to the mince. Place in the mixing bowl.
In the sink, knead the kibbeh in the bowl. Add part of the softened, fully-drained cracked wheat and knead into the kibbeh. Keep your hands moist while you continue to add the wheat. Add the salt, pepper, and allspice. Knead the two ingredients until they are thoroughly mixed together.
Refrigerate if not using immediately.
Kibbeh Filling
350 grams minced lamb or beef.
1 large onion chopped finely
1 Tablespoon butter
1/3 cup pine nuts
1/2 teaspoon sumac (if available – a purple spice found in Middle Eastern stores and some supermarkets)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon allspice
(Renee likes to add a teaspoon of chilli powder for an extra kick but this is totally optional)
Brown the lamb in a frying pan without any oil. Break up clumps of meat with the wooden spoon. Add the onion, sumac, salt, pepper, and allspice to the browned mixture.
While the meat is cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add pine nuts and cook until lightly tanned. Be careful not to let this butter mixture or pine nuts burn. Add to the mince mixture.
Turn on low and cook for about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally and do not let it burn. Once cooked, place into a bowl to cool.
Preheat the oven to 200 C.
Your baked kibbeh will resemble a pie, with crust and filling, except it will be in a cake pan or tray, not a pie tin.
Divide the kibbeh base into two. Grease the baking tray (a round or square cake pan will do) with olive oil. Take half of the kibbeh base and spread on the bottom and sides of the tray (like a pie crust). Place kibbeh filling inside the tray. Use the other half of the kibbeh base to cover the filling. One suggestion is to turn the remaining kibbeh into patties, spread on the top of the filling, and use your moist fingers to smooth over the gaps until it is one solid crust.
Take a sharp knife and cut the kibbeh diagonally into diamond shapes as well as the sides of the pan. Pour about 4 tablespoons of olive oil or melted butter on top of the kibbeh. Cover with foil and bake for 40-45 minutes. In the last 10 minutes, remove the foil. Make sure the kibbeh does not dry out.
Serve with buttery rice, yogurt, salad (tabouli).
NOTE: If you don’t want to go through effort of baked kibbeh then take the kibbeh base, form into patties, and fry like a hamburger. However, the baked version is sensational and worth the effort.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

On the Edge Part 03: How Democracy Is Undermined in the West

We live in a time of populist revolts which, among other things, are the result (or cause) of political instability. There have been ‘shock election results’ in 2015, the unexpected vote for BREXIT in Britain, the rise of Donald Trump in the US and of right-wing parties in Europe.
It is our conviction that the erosion of democracy in the western world is part of the reason for these political shakings. In the previous article, we look at the ingredients of a truly democratic society (which includes but goes much further than elections). Again, they are
1.      Regular elections, free and fair;
2.      Rule of Law;
3.      Universally recognised human rights;
4.      Independent, constitutionally-based judiciary;
5.      Free and responsible press;
6.      Separation of powers;
7.      Balance of power;
8.      Separation yet equal respect of church and state;
9.      Basic moral foundations.
Yet, these important pillars are being attacked across the world. This is especially true of ‘free speech,’ which is being assaulted by political correctness and hate-speech laws. When free speech goes, democracy goes with it.
Here are some examples of the erosion of democracy:
Remember the Russian Revolution of February 1917? It was a genuine revolution with democratic aspirations. However, the revolution was hijacked in October 1917 by the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin. He allowed a planned referendum to go ahead a few days later. To his shock horror, the referendum result was exactly the opposite of what he wanted. Lenin was not about to allow the Russian electorate to subvert his plans for a communist paradise. So he cancelled the results and thus began the Marxist totalitarian regime we came to know as the Soviet Union.
Though the European Union (EU) espouses democracy and makes it a requirement for membership, remember that EU laws – which are binding on all member nations – are not made by an elected parliament. They are crafted by the 28 member unelected European Commission. The EU Parliament either amends, edits, or rejects the laws. When EU member states have EU-related referendums which fail – no worries – they get them to vote again or repackage the legislation to help it pass. Combine this with heavy EU regulations and a vast bureaucracy, you have the choking, not flourishing, of democracy.
Even the birthplace of modern democracy, the United States, has been witnessing the deterioration of democracy right under its nose. Modern presidents, probably since the 1930s, have been using a procedure called ‘Executive Order,’ where they ‘order’ a course of action without the approval of Congress. These orders are not mandated or allowed in the US Constitution.
The modern US Supreme Court has been notorious for going beyond its mandate to interpret law in light of the American Constitution. Instead, progressivist judges have become de facto legislators. They did it in 1973 with the Roe versus Wade ruling, which made abortion legal in all 50 US states. While pro-abortion (euphemistically called ‘pro-choice’) advocates say Roe versus Wade gave women a ‘constitutional right’ to an abortion, how can this be when nothing – absolutely nothing – in the US Constitution even hints at abortion rights? America was trying to resolve the abortion issue, democratically, state-by-state. Yet, the Supreme Court came and short-circuited the whole process. Thirty-one states were immediately left without abortion laws. Far from resolving the issue, Roe v. Wade became one of the great battle cries of the continuing ‘cultural civil war’ and the most contentious social issue since the abolition of slavery.
Again in 2015, with Obergefell vs. Hodges, the US Supreme Court ruled that all 50 states must allow same-sex marriage. The American states were trying to work out the issue democratically, and the court came in and overruled them. As US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts said of this court decision, ‘The Constitution had nothing to do with it.’ Democracy was overruled yet again.
Whenever an issue is fundamental to society, the most democratic thing to do is have a civil, informed debate and then let the electorate decide. That especially true with the definition of marriage, a bedrock of society. In September 2016, the Australian federal government proposed a marriage plebiscite for 2017 to let the people decide on whether to marriage should be defined as an exclusive union between a ‘man and woman,’ or between ‘two persons.’ The leftist political parties are against it! To say that the Australian electorate is incapable of making an intelligent and fair-minded decision on this vital is an anti-democratic attitude. You may want to read Dennis Prager’s article Why the Left Hates Referendums (http://townhall.com/columnists/dennisprager/2016/06/28/why-the-left-hates-referendums-n2184036?newsletterad=0
When the press or courts or parliament or executive branch or the military or some or all of the above go beyond their constitutional mandate, then democracy is undermined. When that happens, political stability begins to suffer, too.

If we can return to true democracy, Biblical morality, a commitment to absolute truth, and a spiritual revival, stability is assured. After all, we will learn what Jesus means when He says those who obey His word are wise people who build their lives on the rock, not the sinking sand (Matthew 7:24-27). 
Apologetics, Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

There Was No King in Israel: Why Study the Book of Judges?

It was the best of times and the worst of times. The children of Israel, liberated from Egyptian bondage and dwelling in the land of promise, should have been enjoying the blessings of God, living under their own vines and fig trees. Instead, they faced cycles of backsliding, carnality, followed by repressive foreign occupation.
When they woke up to their sin, Israel called out to God, who sent them a human deliverer called a ‘judge.’ Once the judge delivered the nation from their oppressors, Israel remained faithful to the LORD as long as the judge lived. Once he or she passed away, then they returned to their old worldly ways.
This pattern, which occurred with nauseating regularity, is the story of the Book of Judges. This book covers a period of over 350 years from the time of Joshua the conqueror until the coming of Samuel, the final judge (who is first mentioned in I Samuel, not Judges).
There are some great stories of deliverance in it, like that of Deborah and Barak, Gideon, Samson, and Jephthah. Some of these judges are so noteworthy that they merit a mention in the ‘hall of faith’ in Hebrews Chapter 11. Yet there are some real scandals, like the Danites stealing Micah’s idols and priest and setting up the northern city of Dan on a foundation of idolatry. Years later, Jeroboam’s golden calf was installed here, the altar platform is still present until today. Even worse was the brutal rape and murder of the Levite’s concubine which led to civil war and the near annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin.
Great insights and lessons await you as you study the Book of Judges.
Hebrew Name
It is easy to confuse the heroes of this book with men and women, wearing long black robes and white whigs while pounding a gavel in a courtroom. The Hebrew name for judges is shophetim which translated means rulers, saviours, and deliverers. The judge can settle disputes, win battles, liberate and deliver people. After their military victory, they settle down to to civilian leadership, where they rule and judge.
Author
Anonymous, though tradition nominates Samuel as the author.
Date
Probably after Saul became king. The reason is that the Book of Judges uses the phrase ‘There was no king in Israel,’ implying that Israel had a king at the time of writing.
Theme
Cycles of reprobation and revival. The pattern was one of:
The Descent
Service (of God),
Seduction,
Sin,
Scandal,
Servitude (to foreign occupiers) – this is where they hit rock bottom
The Ascent
Seeking God,
Sanctification, and
Salvation.
This pattern is what happened again and again and again.
Portrait of Christ in Judges
In Judges we learn about Christ as Saviour-Ruler. As long as the judge lived, Israel served the LORD. Since Christ rose from the dead and lives forevermore, His people will remain eternally faithful to God.
Like the rest of the Bible, Judges does not do a whitewash of the main characters. It tells their story just as it was, warts and all: Gideon made an ephod in Oprah, Samson had ‘women problems,’ and Jephthah uttered a rash vow. Yet all of this helps to highlight to glory of Christ, who never sinned and is able to save us to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25).
Judges serves as a reminder, if one was needed, how humanity stands in desperate need for a Saviour.
Key Verses in Judges
Judges 2:20-21:And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice; 21 I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died:
Judges 21:25:In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Distinctives
Judges is a real object lesson of ‘comparison and contrast.’ We see good and evil, light and darkness, faithfulness and debauchery, living side-by-side. While this may seem like deep dark ancient history, it helps illustrate the ‘last days,’ which Scripture teaches is a time of ‘contrasts,’ just like Judges.
•   Contrast: God’s faithfulness to Israel’s backsliding.
•   Contrast: A penitent Israel to a hedonistic Israel.
•   Contrast: The faith of the judges to the faithlessness of the people.
•   Contrast: The perfection of Christ to the flaws of the judges.
Outline of Judges
1.       Failure of Israel to Conquer all the Land (1:1-3:34): Failure of Judah, Benjamin, Joseph, Zebulon, Asher, Naphtali, Dan. Angel makes announcement.
2.       Southern Campaign: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar (3:5-31)
3.       Northern Campaign: Deborah/Barak (4:1-5:31)
4.       Central Campaign: Gideon, Abimelech, Tola, Jair (6:1-10:5)
5.       Eastern Campaign: Jephthah (10:6-12:7)
6.       Second Northern Campaign: (12:8-15)
7.       Western Campaign: Samson (13-16)
8.       Israel’s Idolatry (17:1-18:31)
9.       Israel’s Immorality (19:1-30)
10.   Israel’s Civil War (20:1-21:25)

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

FROM ‘DE FACTO’ TO ‘DE JURE:’ Part 02

Finding Legitimacy in an Immoral World
‘Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.’ –Hebrews 13:4
DE FACTO: Existence without legal or ecclesiastical recognition or sanction.
DE JURE: Existence by right according to law.
Last month we looked at the ever-rising phenomena of de facto relationships, also known as cohabitation. We will explore this topic some more.
Are There Any Benefits to Cohabitation?[i]
Just because something is commonplace and permitted by society does not make it healthy and right. After all, cigarette smoking is legal but it can cost your thousands of dollars a year and have a detrimental effect on your health. Gambling also is legal and look at the trail of trouble and sorrow it leaves.
           
Some claim that a de facto relationship helps prepare a couple for marriage and prevents divorce. Does it? Research suggests otherwise: couples that live in a de facto relationship before marriage are more likely to divorce than couples that wait until marriage. One statistic said that of couples who were married twenty years or more, 56% of those who lived as a de facto couple before marriage ended up in divorce, while 29% of those who never cohabited before marriage ended up in divorce. According to the Jubilee Report on cohabitation: ‘The idea that first cohabitations that lead to marriage do not result in an increased rate of divorce is not reflected by this data set: prior cohabitation with a spouse is associated with 60 per cent higher risk of divorce (emphasis mine).
Another study concluded that 75% of married couples were still together when their child turned 16; only 7% of de facto couples can make the same claim. That’s a ten-fold increased for the married couples. In Britain, the direct annual cost of family breakdown is GBP 41.7 billion. The Daily Mail Online, ‘Married Parents Ten Times More Likely to Stay Together,’ Sarah Harris (February 2010).[ii]
Why Are Those Who Live Together
Before Marriage More Likely to Divorce?
Why is this the case? Why do couples who live in a de facto relationship have a greater chance of divorce? It is like the analogy of a building during an earthquake. If the building has deep, strong foundations, then it will withstand the tremors. However, if the building has weak foundations, the first shake will bring it down. Life-long relationships have good foundations: Godly commitment, mutual love and respect, morality and strength. These things will help the relationship weather any storm. Unfortunately, the de facto relationship does not have these things and so even when one eventually marries, due to the poor moral and commitment foundations, it will be vulnerable to collapse, even with the slightest of shaking.
Others say that single parents enter into a de facto partnership so that the children can have a father figure in the home. While it is indeed possible for non-biological fathers to show love and kindness to (step) children, there is an alarming trend of the adverse effects de facto relationships have on youngsters.
In his article, “De Facto Danger” (Melbourne Herald Sun, April 6, 1998, page 19), Paul Gray says “Our ongoing willingness to pretend that de facto fathering is just as good as traditional fathering (the biological father living in a stable relationship with the mother) is having horrific consequences.”  Gray quotes former human rights commissioner Brian Burdekin as saying de facto living arrangements have increased the child sex abuse rate by 600 per cent. A NSW Child Protection Council reports says suspected killers in de facto relationships was 6 1/2 times higher than in the population at large. The sad and sensational cases of Jesse Winning (14 months) and Daniel Valerio (age 2), who were murdered by their mother’s de facto partners, only highlights this alarming trend. ‘Traditional fathering, within the stable, two-parent family, is clearly the best way to protect and raise children. For that, the evidence is overwhelming,’ remarks Gray.
If the person is uncommitted to their de facto partner, why would they be caring and committed to the children of that partner?
           
Above all, there is a far more serious implication about de facto relationships that have a long-term effect. Any sexual activity within these relationships clearly falls into the category of fornication and/or adultery. Apart from the temporal disadvantages of these acts, like venereal disease and unwanted pregnancies, are the eternal consequences. On this matter, God’s Word is very clear. Hebrews 13:4 affirms this. Read also Ephesians 5:3-5; I Timothy 1:9-10; Revelation 21:8; 22:15. The implications couldn’t be plainer
Study after study confirms the following conclusions:
1.   De facto or cohabitation relations lead to a markedly increased risk of divorce compared to those who have never married.
2.   De facto increases the risk of domestic violence against women and men, and also violence against children;
3.   Lower levels of happiness and satisfaction;
4.   De facto relations have serious spiritual consequences.
Having observed the world for all these years, it is impossible to ascribe any benefits whatsoever to cohabitation. Consider the bedrock motivation behind many de facto relationships: a lack of making a genuine, long-term commitment; fear of failure; wanting to reap the benefits and pleasures without taking the responsibilities and commitment those benefits require; exhibiting and enhancing weak character. Of course, these attitudes of de facto-ism are not just in relationships; they can also occur in business, politics, the church, and more.
To be continued


 FACTS ABOUT COHABITATION[i]

•       Over half of all first marriages are proceeded by cohabitation (University of Wisconsin document)
•       Cohabitation doesn’t reduce the likelihood of divorce–in fact it leads to a higher divorce risk. One study showed 46% higher risk (1992 Journal of Marriage and Family).
•       No positive contribution of cohabitation to marriage has ever been found, not even sexual compatibility, as usually suggest (1993 Journal of Marriage and Family)
•       Cohabitants tend not be as committed as married couples, or prepared to work on their differences (1995 Journal of Family issues)
•       Particularly problematic is the area of serial cohabitation. It generates a greater willingness to dissolve later relationships. (1993 Journal of Family Issues)
•       About 60% of cohabitation ends in marriage (1989 National Study of Cohabitation
•       In general, cohabiting relationships tend to be less satisfactory than marriage relationship-s, with cohabiting couples reporting lower levels of happiness, sexual exclusivity and sexual satisfaction, as well as poorer relationships with parents (Bumpass, Sweet & Cherlin’s 1991 study)
•       After five years, only 10% of cohabiting couples are together. They do not tend to permanency (Bumpass & Sweet’s 1989 study)
•       Married couples have substantial benefits over the unmarried in terms of labour force productivity, physical and mental health, general happiness and longevity (1994 American Journal of Sociology)
•       Annual rates of depression among cohabiting couples is more than three times the married rate. (1990 Psychiatric Disorders in America)
•       Physical and sexual abuse of a spouse is much higher. One study showed evidence of being twice as high (1991 Journal of marriage and family)
•       Abuse is 20 times higher for children with cohabiting, but biological parents, but 33 times greater if the parent was cohabiting with a non-parenting male partner (1993 Family Education trust: London).
•       The 1996 poverty rate was 6% with married parents, but 31 % with cohabiting parents (1996 Journal of Marriage and the Family).
–taken from Leadership NOW! January 2000, page 12.
Apologetics, Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

FROM DEFEAT TO VICTORY: A Lesson from Joshua Part 01

Life has a nasty habit of not going according to the script. The journey is often longer, harder, and more unpredictable than expected. Victory and defeat, success and failure, joy and tears, are often next door neighbours, happening in quick succession. However, when you follow Biblical principles, ultimate blessing, success, and victory will be yours.
Let’s take the example from the life of Joshua. As appointed, anointed and directed by God, he led the children of Israel into the promised land – the inheritance promised to their forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. However, the journey from promise to fulfilment went in directions hard to imagine.
1.     Left turn: Jacob/Israel, due to the famine in Joseph’s day, ended up leaving the promised land altogether;
2.     Sojourn: Israel ends up living in Egypt.
3.     Length: The Egyptian sojourn lasted 400 years.
4.     Return: The journey back to the promised land was long and indirect, with twists and turns throughout the wilderness. Due to five sins, the journey took Israel 40 years (I Corinthians 10:5-13).
5.     Fulfilment: Now that Israel left Egypt, made it through the wilderness, and stood at the gate of the promised land, their inheritance would not be handed on a silver platter. They would have to fight for it. There are numerous promises in Scripture and all of them are ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen’ in Christ (II Corinthians 1:20). Yet, we too, will have to ‘fight the good fight of faith’ in order to lay hold of them (I Timothy 6:12).
Victory and Defeat
The first fight was the conquest of Jericho (Joshua 6). Though an impregnable fortress, Jericho’s wall crumbled with ease before the victorious Israelites. Flush with victory, Joshua found out that their next destination, Ai, would be a ‘cake walk.’ No need to send the entire army – just 3,000 men.
This ‘piece of cake’ turned out to be a death trap. The people of Ai came out of their town as tigers and 36 Israelites were smitten.
What went wrong? Why was there this ‘speed bump’ that knocked the entire enterprise off-track? After rising up early in the morning and seeking God, Joshua got a very direct answer from God to explain their defeat. It was not because of the strength of their enemies. The cause came from within: Israel sinned.
The sin was the in several parts (Joshua 7:11):
1.     They transgressed God’s covenant – the binding agreement that attracts great blessing when obeyed and terrible curses when broken;
2.     They took the accursed thing;
3.     They stole it;
4.     Dissembled it;
5.     They put it among their own stuff.
This was no misdemeanour. Failure to obey meant that Israel was rendered powerless before a minor enemy. Furthermore, God said He would no longer be with them until they rooted out the accursed thing.
As is often the case, our greatest challenges come from the enemy within, including our own evil hearts, more than from external foes. One’s ability to be cleansed from the evil attracts God’s presence, which virtually assures victory.
In short, defeat came to Israel because it touched the accursed thing. Only by remedying the situation could victory come.
Next month, we will learn the nature of the accursed thing and have to pass from curse to blessing.

TO BE CONTINUED: