Welcome to the Covenant and the Cross Podcast. This is episode #109. I am your host, Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International. This podcast is designed to help you better understand the Word of God — both the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament is the story of the Covenant which God made with His chosen people Israel. And the New Testament is the story of the Cross which signifies the fulfillment of the Old Covenant with Israel and the formation of a New Covenant with redeemed people from many nations.
We always like to start out with the Word of God, and today’s passage of Scripture is from Joshua 5:10-13 which reads: “And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day. And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.”
Regarding this passage, Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown wrote in their commentary: “The fourteenth day of the month was the time fixed by the law for solemn act of religious dedication during the Passover. And they did eat of the old corn of the land, found in storehouses of the inhabitants who had fled into Jericho. Parched corn is new grain in the fields. This abundance of food led to the discontinuance of the manna; and the fact of its then ceasing, viewed in connection with its seasonable appearance in the barren wilderness, is a striking proof of its miraculous origin.”
Today’s quote about the Bible is from Augustine of Hippo. He said: “The Holy Scriptures are our letters from home.”
Our topic for today is titled “The Best of Times, the Worst of Times, Part 2” from the book, “The Promise and the Blessing” by Dr. Michael A. Harbin.
The book of Judges makes it clear that we are now looking at the next generation. The arrangement of the narrative is both topical and chronological. The individual judges seem to be generally listed in sequential order, though with some overlap. However, the introductory section provides an overview of the entire period, and the final section relates two events that could have occurred at any time during that period.
Most of the material in the introductory overview reflects the difficulties of the nation rather than its successes. As such, it gives us just a few highlights. We are told of how Judah and Simeon did well in their conquests but could not take control of several areas because the inhabitants had iron chariots. The same was true of the other tribes, and specific unconquered cities throughout the nation are listed.
Then rather abruptly we are told of how the angel of the Lord appeared and condemned the people for failing to keep their part of the covenant. The key to this condemnation is Judges 2:2, “You shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.” The concept of a covenant with the Canaanites involved tolerating and eventually adopting their pagan religions. As a consequence, the inhabitants of the land would become a snare to the Israelites.
Lord willing, we will continue this topic in our next broadcast.
Let’s Pray —
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Before we close, dear friend, I want to remind you that the most important thing you should know about the Bible is that it is the story of God working to save humanity from sin and the consequences of sin. He did this by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins and take the punishment that we deserve on Himself. Romans 5:8 says, “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, and you want to get to know Him today, here’s how.
All you have to do is believe “that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” and you will be saved. The Bible states in the book of Romans 10:9, 13: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Pray and ask Him to come into your heart and He will.
Until next time, remember the word of God is the foundation to a successful life. God bless.
BCNN1 WP 