Do we find the book of life in the Old Testament?

If you are not working, then perhaps it behooves you to make the most of your time; therefore, I go to a seniors bible study on Monday mornings. No, you do not have to be of a certain age to go, but I am getting close. On one of those days, every man had something to say and yet we said nothing. This, one might think, was a huge waste of time, but I did make quick notes of several topics which caught my attention. This is one of them.

Do we find the book of life in the Old Testament?

The first occurrence is in Exodus 32 where God has told Moses that he is going to destroy all of Israel and start over with Moses. Moses responds with an interesting statement – ..forgive their sin; and if not, then blot me out your book which you have written.

Exodus 32:32-33 KJV ‘Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. (33) And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.’

Having read something like this your questions should be many.

• Considering Moses' less than stellar background – he did murder a man. How is it that Moses can make the assumption, or know with such confidence, that his name is written in that book?
• Is this book the same book as we see in Revelation 20?
• Because there two sets of books shown to John in Revelation 20 – the Lamb's book of life, and the others - Does that mean that this book Moses speaks of, is the Lamb's book of life? If not, what precludes it from being so? (Jesus has been around as long as the Father has.)
• Are we all in there?
• Because God says to Moses, “him will I blot out of my book”, can I infer that everyone is written in that book and because of some aspect is removed? Now this opens a can of worms primarily because we like to worry over having committed some unpardonable sin which got our name blotted out. Jesus, in speaking to the Jews gathered around him, may have been intentionally speaking directly to this idea when he said - John 10:28-29 NASB “and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. (29) "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.”

As a follower of Christ, not just a book-worm studying, because merely saying as Gandhi did, I rather like this Jesus, does not prove a relationship or that you are a part of the tree (Jesus Christ being the tree). If you are honest, and you reflect on Gandhi's life, what did his fruit look like. He looked a lot like Jesus; certainly much more than many so-called Christians I know.

There are other references, but in searching, I used the phrase “thy book”, because the “book of life” produces nothing. If you have an inquiring mind then you picked up on the fact that there is an understanding that God has a book, and it plays a reckoning role in our destiny.

I am not sure why God would record all our moments, both good and bad. From my point of view the good are often associated with selfishness, and the bad have put me in such a tailspin that I wished he had not noticed, but I know now that He cared about all of them.

I know none of this proves where and when these books showed up, but I think right now they are irrelevant, and here is why. I am currently estranged from my girlfriend of 13 years, and yet there are moments, like last night where I end up at the same place she is and I did not know it. The concert in the park is ending as my friend and I are leaning against a railing, under a light, talking. For the second day in a row her grand kids come charging at me, yelling Papa. Of course I have to respond to that, I love them, and though technically not mine, unlike some who might adopt a child so that they can have someone to abuse, I would not hesitate to give my life for any of them. We too have been adopted and I have come to believe that God feels the same way about me, as He too would give his life for me (Oh, that's right, He did.) Now you can understand why David ended with, “This I know, that God is for me.”

Psalms 56:8-9 NASB You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? (9) Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call; This I know, that God is for me.

Psalm 139:16 is a very strong case for predestination, and while I cannot comprehend the how and why of predestination and I am glad that God saw a future and a hope for me. Perhaps we all start out in the book, I do not know for sure.

Psalm 139:16 “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”

Isaiah, prophesying of end times, after the end of the seven years of wrath upon the earth, through the Holy Spirit, speaks of “everyone who is recorded for life in Jerusalem.” I do not believe that having watched the horrid destruction of the Holy City and His people who God pitifully records the names of the survivors as a memorial, but that these are names who have been in this book since the beginning of time.

Isaiah 4:2-3 NASB In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth will be the pride and the adornment of the survivors of Israel. (3) It will come about that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy--everyone who is recorded for life in Jerusalem.

As I consider what Daniel saw, I have to place the books he describes in context. The horns are men of power and kingdoms. Daniel states, I watched this until even the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. All these events had to do with the judgment being set and the books being opened. Now it is not clear on whether the judgment is a declaration of what is found in the books, or perhaps the books contain evidence.

Daniel 7:8-11 KJV I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. (9) I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. (10) A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. (11) I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.

One of our incessant religious arguments has to do with when we shall be extracted (harpazo = snatched) from the earth. Daniel 12:1 gives us an answer for that as well.

Daniel 12:1-2 NASB "Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.(2) "Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.

As you read through that passage, my hope is that you noticed a couple of things. Initially, he speaks of a time of distress, but in mid-sentence he describes a rescue. If you are aware of the chain of events within the seven-year period, then you know that no one gets rescued during that time period. I could add that Jesus equated the wrath to what happened with Noah. Knowing that story, you would be aware that on the day that the rain came, God placed Noah and his family in the Ark, rescuing them from the wrath that had begun.

The second aspect I was hoping you would have caught, and therefore associated it immediately with scripture you have read where Paul instructs, “the dead in Christ will rise first, and then those that are alive and remain.” Scripture does not consider the dead in Christ to be a resurrection at all. Those that are martyred for their testimony and brought back to life, are the first resurrection. The second happens at the end of the thousand years as they are then brought for the great white throne judgment.

Jumping forward to the New Testament because that is where we see the only direct references to "the book of life."

Philippians 4:3 NASB “Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.”

How would Paul have had the confidence to say and know that their names are "in the book of life?

Revelation 3:5 NASB 'He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.’

“He who overcomes,” many people have overcome many things, how intense is this? The only people described as being in white garments are the martyred saints. Considering the judgmental garbage we religious say about those who go through the years of wrath, one might not expect them to get any mercy because they did not go through the proper religious experience. These people will be vast and varied. There will be Buddhists, Muslims, Chinese, every tribe and every tongue, and they will all, having taken some form of a stand, experience God's mercy.

Having sent the disciples out and their successful return, they rejoiced at demons responding to the Name of Jesus, spoken out of their own mouths. Jesus responded to that with:

Luke 10:19-20 NASB"Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.(20)"Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven."

No, I do not know if Judas was there, and you do not really know where Judas ended up. We tend to get so stinking judgmental, viciously berating the dead, and severely insulting the remaining family, as we tell them their loved one is now in hell. How do you know anything about the shoes that person walked in, or whether it was God's will to rescue them early from more pain. I don't care how mad this makes you. It is time to wake up, and knock that (I want so badly to use a more graphic expletive) junk off.

Why do you suppose Paul thought it necessary to mention the book of life here. Yes, there is an immediate association that they too are followers of Christ, but did they gain that status because they share in Paul's struggle in the cause of the gospel? Not at all. We have already established our names have been written there before time began, but as King David declared,

Philippians 4:3 NASB Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

 Look at Revelation 13:8, as it shows an exclusion of those that have their names written in the book, as they will not worship the beast. I will show you the passage and then discuss why.

Revelation 13:4-8 NASB “they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?" (5) There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. (6) And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. (7) It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. (8) All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.”

Having lived a bit of life, and seen a lot, I can tell you that many have collapsed and fallen back into sin or old ways. What do you call that? The heart changed the day you came to Jesus, but your flesh remained the same. The only hope for the flesh is for it to be retrained or perhaps restrained from acting out and giving into the world.

The only way to exclude believers, still subject to the weaknesses of the flesh, out of a situation in which they could fold to pressure, is to remove them.

Let me be painfully detailed at this point. Many good people have held their tongues and become martyrs for Christ's name, but Islam has proven itself unusually cruel. While restraining you, they will take your wife and daughters and gang rape them before your eyes; your sons may well be taken for indoctrination, sold, or killed. Your family will be tortured and mutilated as they are dying; all the while, your captors will be screaming god (Allah) is great. In the end, they will kill you as well, regardless of what you say or do because you have proven yourself weak and unworthy of Allah.

In Revelation 17:7-8, Jesus tells the reader that those, whose name has not been written in the book of life, will wonder, seeing the beast.

Revelation 17:7-8 NASB ‘And the angel said to me, "Why do you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. (8) "The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. And those who dwell on the earth, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come.’

Keep something clear in your head. This is speaking toward those who do not have their names written in the book of life. That tends to mean that this revelation will happen during the seven-year period, after the church has been removed from the earth, or this is after the seven years and Christ has returned to earth to set things straight. The latter tends to make sense because after the dust settles there is clearly a time of judgment with no argument, and I believe that God fully intends to show people the foolishness of their ways. To expound upon this concept just dive into the Old Testament and find some of the places were God angrily denounces idols, made to demons, carved out of wood and stone, that cannot talk or see, and yet you foolishly worship that piece of junk and give it a name and though it could respond to you. If you are worshiping anything at all, it is a devil or demon.

This next passage covers the last judgment, and happens at the end of the 1000-year reign.

Revelation 20:11-15 LITV (11) ‘And I saw a Great White Throne, and the One sitting on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled; and a place was not found for them. (12) And I saw the dead, the small and the great, standing before God. And books were opened. And another Book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged out of the things written in the books, according to their works. (13) And the sea gave up the dead in it. And death and hell gave up the dead in them. And they were each judged according to their works. (14) And death and hell were thrown into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death. (15) And if anyone was not found having been written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the Lake of Fire.’

In this case, there two sets of books. One is the Lamb’s book of life and apparently, you only get your name in there as you accept Him as your life. The others are based upon your actions here on earth; another way of saying this same thing is to say that your works are recorded in these other books, both good and bad.

On the plus side, there is hope for those who did not overtly accept the name of Jesus Christ, but then why not, because, as my friend says, Jesus cannot come back because the gospel has not been preached to every nation, and then proceeds to fire off numbers demonstrating how many people fit that statistic. In response to that, He can come back when He chooses, and who are you to tell God what he can and cannot do. Beside that, smarter men than I have pointed out that there is only one prophecy left to be fulfilled, and that is the return of Jesus Christ to meet his church in the sky. Nevertheless, do not fear, for God has a plan to cover that aspect of the un-churched; he plans on sending an angel to broadcast the gospel around the globe.

Revelation 14:6 ‘And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people;’

Considering that you always have that issue of whether your good works outweigh your bad ones, do you really feel comfortable gambling with eternity? Considering that 20:15 states, whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire, one might assume that having found your name in a book of good works might equate to getting your name in the book of life. However, this is the last and final judgment of man before entering into the eternity of peace that we have longed for.

The harshest aspect and finality of this is demonstrated by what we see in Revelation 21:27.

Revelation 21:27 KJV ‘And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defiles, neither whatsoever works abomination, or makes a lie: but they, which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

I am really battling to understand what all this talk about predestination is all about, for I see names, my name (and I know what I have done) recorded in this book since the beginning of time. Did God give me a choice? Absolutely. It is clear that he has the right to blot names out of the book, but even with that on his mind, Moses withstood him multiple times and God relented from that decision.

Am I worried about screwing up? No, I have no wish to do that, and trust me, I know how. My desire is to know and love him more on a daily basis. I think what happened within me is that I have come to understand him, know him, know his character, and I cannot imagine a life without him. He is a lot like me. No, better yet, I am becoming a lot more like him.

While understanding the books is not mandatory for my salvation, it sure helps in understanding end times events and the character of a loving God; a God that is for me.

Related articles

• Is Your Name in God's Book?
• The "Lamb's Book of Life": Who Records Your Name?
• Blotted In
• "Peter In Denial, Judas Hung Up" - One Year Bible - February 10 - Tuesday
• Character of God [series]: The Wars of the Old Testament [part 4A]

A prophetic word, given more clearly than I

I have heard and seen things in my spirit that I did not understand and could not explain. I have certainly wanted to because I think that the time of His return is imminent, and I know that many will be left here during the time of wrath and it is not necessary that any of that happen.

Recently I came across a prophetic word on YouTube and within seconds it took my breath away. Why? Because the spirit of the Lord had spoken these same things to me about the time of the end, and here this man is articulating it so clearly.

Listen to his opening statement. He is pleading with you to pray and ask God if He validates these words. You can also validate by comparing what is said with scripture. It will help you if you have a search-able bible program like E sword or The Word.

A Prophetic word given immediately after the Whitestone Conference by:

Steve Quayle - Whitestone Conference Interview

Blessing everyone,

This is the first of June 2014, and we have just completed the conference we had in Bozeman, the Whitestone conference and God moved mightily. Multiples upon multiples of deliverance; people were delivered.

I want to share a Word of the Lord that I got days ago but I was not free to give it until now, after the conference. Historically, the Lord has given me words like this every couple of years, and when he does it kind of puts me in awe because I know somethings ready to get really loosed in the earth and here it is, and I urge everyone that listens to any property from me or anybody else to take it to the word of the Lord and ask, did you speak to us; and seek the absolute validation and verification from the Word of God, because my responsibility is to give it, but your responsibility is to see if these things be so.

                To the daughter of Babylon, the great whore who sits on many waters. My fury and wrath is about to be unleashed upon your land and the high priests and priestesses who have brought destruction upon your country.

                You have been sold into slavery, and you shall not remember the freedoms of yesterday as my hand of blessing and protection is lifted. Like a termite eaten foundation that crumbles, so have your freedoms and blessings been chewed away by the unrelenting appetite and greed to those you voted for; who have declared their hatred and contempt for  all that is just and pure.

                Oh nation that is poised for destruction, you have broken the covenant of life that I made with your forefathers, and whom I blessed with the nation unlike any other in the history of the world. The penalty for idolatry has always been destruction as the fallen ones and their followers can only produce death.

                The great blood feast of the evil one is fully underway, and soon everything, everything that has been a blessing will turn upon you in an instant and become a curse. Your sweet water will turn bitter, and where they were once a source of refreshing they will turn sour and disappear. The bounty of your fruited plains will turn to dust as starvation takes hold. All the medical advances that once prolonged life and cured those diseases of long ago, will be released by he who only comes to kill, to rob, and destroy; and those who willingly yield themselves to eternal damnation.

To my people who sit silently compromising with the powers of hell, do you not know your silence is acquiescence to your own slaughter. Think about those words; the Lord himself is saying, if we keep our tongues and do not take the word of God and withstand evil we are complicit in our own destruction. Life and death is in the power of the tongue, as you fail to declare my Word and stand for righteousness you surrender to those who will destroy you, abandoned by the principal(?) who has deceived you.

Friendship with this world is enmity with the living God. Peace at any price is a lie. Compromises destroying you both of your earthly blessings and will keep you from your eternal reward that I have promised to you in my word.

Now I speak concerning the graven images you have setup and allowed in your land. Whether Egyptian, Babylonian, or Greek idols, I will smite the land of idols with great quakes which will alter life as you have ever known it before.

The statue of the evil ones in the center of your country will bow before me, even as the statue of Dagon did before my holy ark in the Philistine temple. As the earth opens its mouth I will bring down the vanities and the lying lips, along with the pomp and splendor of your highest officials who worship the father of lies.

Their secret oaths and ceremonies, along with their covenants with the prince of hell, I will make known and judge. The burnt offerings of my little ones who are thrown into the arms of Molech, will I avenge, for their unquenchable desire for blood will soon be met with the very blood of those who slaughter the innocents, and then burn their bodies as an act of underworld worship.

Repent; stand-fast in the power of my might, infused with the power of my Holy Spirit, and the authority that I have given to you. The only reason evil triumphs is because my people fail to stand against it, in my name.

Let not sin have dominion over you, for I have given you the victory. If you will but appropriate it by faith and the power of the blood of the lamb. But they that know their God shall be strong and do exploits.

We now live in the time period, where before 20 and 30 years ago, and even later in where maybe even in the last five years where everything was in the prophetic future. Now at this point in history, on the first of June, 2014, everything is in motion. Were facing, ladies and gentlemen, a one world government; were facing a one world religion; were facing a one world currency. Who are you facing, how will you stand in that day?

Steve Quayle at this point, spoke about a conversation he had moments before taping this presentation. Stating, “that so much is in motion now.” Steve Quayle quotes Demetri Deuterman who said, “When the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, Demetri, The mind of man cannot understand what is about to take place.”

Jesus made an amazing statement, “if I told you earthly things and you believe me not, how can I tell you heavenly things.” And ladies and gentlemen, if you live in denial with chemtrail skies, with the police state unfolding before you, you just say, I don’t want to hear it. Then you have got to ask yourself, are you a lover of the truth, because if you are not a lover of the truth you will be sucked in and taken by seducing spirits, and you will believe a lie and there comes a point of no return.

We are at a point right now, that all things laid out in the prophetic words of Jesus, all the prophecies that we read and watched, and prophecies, whether they be in the book of Daniel, of Isaiah, of Ezekiel, Zechariah, Nehemiah, Nahum, Joel, the point being is we’re in play, everything is in play.

So I want you to understand that this is now the time that we must seek the Lord while he may be found. This is the time that we must cry out to God, Oh Lord, open my eyes. And this is the time that we need to trust in the Lord with all our might, with all our strength, and with all our essence, because with out Him, Jesus, we can do nothing.

Forget about your religiousness, put it aside; Forget about your self righteousness, put it aside, and lift up your eyes for your redemption draweth nigh because we are to be over-comers. And you need to start worrying about the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus Christ unto a dying nation, for truly, ladies and gentlemen, everything is in play at this moment in time.

The end of the transcribed portion. I post this with permission of Mr. Quayle.

You can have a confidence and hope if you have a relationship with Jesus Christ. That happens when you relinquish control and turn your life over to him. Just ask him and allow him to make himself real to you. He will and you will become a changed person as you allow him to work in you.

Avoid the wrath that is coming upon the earth and enjoy a hope in the Father. He will come for.

Oz

God gives Joshua the word _ The Story chapter 7

We are after all still a life group and as such must allow for the men to talk about life. We did that for 45 minutes before the talk finally slowed down. If you let it, it will never end as several try to fix the others in the group. It is only my going into Recovery that has taught me that Doctor Phil is not reality. Reality is someone you paid an hour for, who gives you only 45 minutes of their time, while looking at their watch, asking, do you if you mind if I take this call? This short period of time comes to a conclusion with “how does that make you feel?” 

The problem is that I did not know how to feel, and nothing I had done was making me any better. The only solution is you have to turn your life over to the only real higher power, and that is Jesus Christ.

Some might get angry because I said that Jesus Christ is the only higher power, but hey, you are reading a blog about bible study, written by a follower of Christ, that has been through a 12 step program and now leads an anger group. But should you wish to have a fire plug as your higher power you go for it, just let me know that is working for you.

At the end of the 45+ minutes I said, well then, let me give you my 30 second synopsis on Rahab the Harlot. Somehow we took longer than we should have, and did manage to probe into the first chapter of Joshua too.

God gives Joshua the word that Moses is dead.

Joshua 1:2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.

Moses was not just a man, he was thee man, the man who withstood Pharaoh, led the Israelite nation out of Egypt, talks with God like he is standing right there, and now he is dead. Some would fall apart, but not Joshua. Pay attention to how God now speaks to Joshua. Note: This is not defined for us in The Story.

Joshua 1:3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

This is the same thing God had said to Moses. Is there any limitation to God? It would seem that the only thing that limits him is how we live out lives.

Joshua 1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

How many of us wish we had heard these words - “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life” Talk to any Marine and they will tell you that this is attitude that the Corps drills into you. You might take off the uniform but never the attitude.

The second aspect is, “I will not fail you, nor forsake you.” How similar is this to the saying, I've got your back. In war this is exactly what you want to know. Having seen Go Pro videos of several soldiers in Afghanistan that seem to have been left alone in gunfight. It's moments like this that you might say to yourself, words are cheap, but God spent a tremendous amount of time establishing his character and trustworthiness.

Be strong and of a good courage

Even though it is easy see guys like Joshua as supermen that cannot be taken down, God knows differently and reminds him multiple times to be strong and courageous.

Joshua 1:6-7 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I swore unto their fathers to give them. (7) Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou may observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou may prosper wherever you go.

The word prosper used above means to act wisely, but can also mean to comprehend, consider, discern, gain insight, instruct, and to prosper. As applied to the ventures about to befall Israel, and specifically Joshua it leans itself more toward Joshua acting as a general and leader.

Notice something else about this verse.  “that you may observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.” I cannot even imagine the fortitude that it would take to do all the commands. It seems so overwhelming. It does not have the specific words if/then but the implication is there. You want to prosper? Then do all the law.

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate there in day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shalt make thy way prosperous, and then you shalt have good success.

It is fairly clear, God wanted His laws deeply invested inside not just Joshua, but his people as well. While this does not say memorize them, that could be the outcome. What it does imply is that God wants us focused on Him, and not the circumstances around us.

Moses had written everything, and it comprised enough pages to be considered a book, or perhaps a scroll. By this time it may have been copied multiple times, but it is ridiculous to think that everyone had a copy sitting on the coffee table.

What was the command given by God this time? “but thou shalt meditate therein day and night,..” God specifically instructed Joshua, but is this directed at us as well? Yeah, I think so.

In Hebrew the word meditate means, to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, speak.

MED'ITATE, v.i. [L. meditor.] 1. To dwell on any thing in thought; to contemplate; to study; to turn or revolve any subject in the mind; appropriately but not exclusively used of pious contemplation, or a consideration of the great truths of religion.

And yet, moan, mutter and growl are also valid in some way. The implications of these mean something more than merely swirling an idea or concept around in your head. This is a form of rehearsal, almost as though you are restrengthening and reestablishing concepts in your mind. This could be important should you need to regain your backbone.

For God to tell us that doing this brings about good success should speak volumes. He knows what we are made of and how broken this human nature is.

Suddenly, I am aware of an idea. This is like some great invention, a technological piece of artwork, and yet some aspect impedes its proper function. Welcome to the human race. We operate in bodies that are technological genius, and due to no fault of the creator, they do not function at 100%. We like to call it sin. This made me think of the Apollo flight that had to get creative in order to fix the air scrubbers that remove the CO2 from the breathable air.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_13

Apollo 13 was the seventh manned mission in the American Apollo space .... Houston, we've had a problem. .... Module's square carbon dioxide scrubber cartridges to fit the Lunar Module, which took a round cartridge ... CM canisters to the LM's cylindrical canister-sockets by drawing air through them with a suit return hose.

Sort of like life, isn't it?

Be strong and courageous!

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

This is the fourth time God said this directly to Joshua. Perhaps God wanted him to be strong and courageous.

Can you think of any others that God has spoken to like this? Gideon comes to mind. Take dip into Hebrews 11. Look at the hall of famers there, then go back and look at their lives. So many of them had to be encouraged, repeatedly, like this.

It is time to move out, so Joshua sent spies.

Joshua 2:1 Then Joshua the son of Nun sent two men as spies secretly from Shittim, saying, "Go, view the land, especially Jericho." So they went and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab, and lodged there.

I think the question is, could these people see each other? The distance from the encampment to Jericho was anywhere from 15 to 25 miles. If the land was flat they could have easily seen each other. Why am I concerned about them being able to see each other, because all the fear and dread that Rahab speaks about might have come through sight, and diminished the impact that God had made upon those in Jericho, especially Rahab.

Israel sent out spies. This has to make Joshua nervous considering what happened last time. This might be part of the reason that God told him to be strong and courageous so many times. I left out some stuff God commanded him before they moved out. If anyone gives Joshua trouble God has given him the green light to kill them. God does not seem the least bit interested in going through that again.

How did the spies know she was a harlot?

What language do they speak in Jericho? Are the spies able to read the signs pointing out where the prostitute lives? We will quickly see that it is a safe assumption for us that Rahab speaks Hebrew.

Why does God make such a big deal of Rahab being a harlot? There are a multitude of reasons; initially it draws our curiosity and attention. I believe that the main goal of this mission, although Israel may not know it, is to secure Rahab. She is after all a significant person in the lineage of Jesus Christ. The secondary answer is that God does not primarily choose the elite. No doubt, just like the disciples, they rise to the occasion, and attain great honor, but God definitely seeks out the broken and lost.

Brought to the Israelite encampment it makes sense that she was questioned, but who would brag about such a job? A response I got, when I brought up this subject, was that this shows that God can use anyone. We have a tendency to make things acceptable, but do we give acceptability to everyone? If you are honest, the answer is no.

A righteous lie!

The spies thought they had made it in unnoticed; not so, and Rahab had to hide them.

Joshua 2:2-7 It was told the king of Jericho, saying, "Behold, men from the sons of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land." (3) And the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab, saying, "Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land." (4) But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. (5) "It came about when it was time to shut the gate at dark, that the men went out; I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them." (6) But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them in the stalks of flax which she had laid in order on the roof. (7) So the men pursued them on the road to the Jordan to the fords; and as soon as those who were pursuing them had gone out, they shut the gate.

If we have a commandment to not lie, why is this acceptable? Again, I asked this question and the answer was, “this was a righteous lie.” What is that suppose to mean? 

“The falsehood by which Rahab sought not only to avert all suspicion from herself of any conspiracy with the Israelitish men who had entered her house, but to prevent any further search for them in her house, and to frustrate the attempt to arrest them, is not to be justified as a lie of necessity told for a good purpose, nor, as Grotius maintains, by the unfounded assertion that, “before the preaching of the gospel, a salutary lie was not regarded as a fault even by good men.” Nor can it be shown that it was thought “allowable,” or even “praiseworthy,” simply because the writer mentions the fact without expressing any subjective opinion, or because, as we learn from what follows (Jos_2:9.), Rahab was convinced of the truth of the miracles which God had wrought for His people, and acted in firm faith that the true God would give the land of Canaan to the Israelites, and that all opposition made to them would be vain, and would be, in fact, rebellion against the Almighty God himself. For a lie is always a sin.” [Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament]

Keep in mind the possibility that God's intent was to rescue this woman, and what she said came entirely of the Holy Spirit.

I was asked the question, when did Rahab become a Christian, here or later at the Israeli encampment? Although I did not try to embarrass the man who asked, the term Christian was not attributed to followers of Christ until almost a century after his ascension. At this point you were either a follower of Yahweh, an Israelite, or a part of the nations, and a gentile. But there is something here that should open our eyes.

Joshua 2:8-13 Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, (9) and said to the men, "I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. (10) "For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. (11) "When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. (12) "Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father's household, and give me a pledge of truth, (13) and spare my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death."

I want to show you something from scripture that may challenge you. When the man asked his question, my immediate internal response was, that is ridiculous, and I think my response was right for a believers entitlement to that name comes out of our acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as Lord, but Jesus Christ was not known to them and particularly not those of Jericho (this is really an unfair statement because I am putting limits on God by saying it.)

Look at what Paul said in Romans.

Romans 10:8-13 But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"--that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, (9) that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; (10) for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. (11) For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." (12) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; (13) for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."

There are two key thing in this that we should pay attention to as we consider Rahab, and what her soul looked like.

1. Paul bases his statement on an old testament passage. Now Rahab would not have known that, but God did. Deuteronomy 30:14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that you may do it. We are such sticklers for context and even Paul took it out of context and applied to our salvation.
2. Romans 10:10 says, “for with the heart a person believes,..and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” What did Rahab say that would have filled those requirements?

• I know that the LORD has given you the land

• for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath

So, what was the end result of not only Rahab, but anyone that would listen to her and get themselves under the roof of her house? Salvation. This idea of her becoming a follower of the most high God is not that far-fetched.

She knew what she was doing.

These men she was hiding were men of war. You do not send press secretaries out to do your spying, and they appreciated her kindness, but cross us and your dead. She got that, but she also understood that they were of a righteous breed (now how did that happen) and could be trusted. She followed their instructions and trusted.

Joshua 2:12-24 "Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father's household, and give me a pledge of truth, (13) and spare my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death." (14) So the men said to her, "Our life for yours if you do not tell this business of ours; and it shall come about when the LORD gives us the land that we will deal kindly and faithfully with you." (15) Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall, so that she was living on the wall. (16) She said to them, "Go to the hill country, so that the pursuers will not happen upon you, and hide yourselves there for three days until the pursuers return. Then afterward you may go on your way." (17) The men said to her, "We shall be free from this oath to you which you have made us swear, (18) unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and gather to yourself into the house your father and your mother and your brothers and all your father's household. (19) "It shall come about that anyone who goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be free; but anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. (20) "But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be free from the oath which you have made us swear." (21) She said, "According to your words, so be it." So she sent them away, and they departed; and she tied the scarlet cord in the window. (22) They departed and came to the hill country, and remained there for three days until the pursuers returned. Now the pursuers had sought them all along the road, but had not found them. (23) Then the two men returned and came down from the hill country and crossed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they related to him all that had happened to them. (24) They said to Joshua, "Surely the LORD has given all the land into our hands; moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us."

This woman's actions got her into the hall of fame.

Hebrews 11:30-31 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. (31) By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.

One of the guys reminded me how symbolic Rahab's actions were. That scarlet rope represented the blood of Jesus, the lambs blood upon the door post, you remember back when they were in Egypt, so when the death angel came, all that were in the house were protected. Mind blowing isn't it.

God is offering you this same opportunity. Trouble is coming hard and fast, and it may show up almost simultaneously as the disappearance of the followers Christ happens. I, like those spies, am offering you hope. You can accept Jesus Christ as your life, symbolically hanging the red sash out your window and come with us to meet him in the air. Or find Him after we are gone. They will come for your head, scripture tells us that very clearly. Oh sure, some will endure to the end. If you must endure then watch the two prophets that show up in  Jerusalem, and follow  their lead.
Jesus is God