February 14, 2021

GOD HAS A PLAN

February 14, 2021

Charles Billingsley

 

Have you ever faced a situation or crisis that seemed impossible to overcome? Can you share?

Over the past few weeks, we read through the first five books of the Old Testament, all written by Moses. This past week we transitioned from those books to being a sideline observer as the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land. They are now led by Joshua, who had taken over the leadership following the death of Moses. Joshua, faithful to the Lord God, is the perfect man to lead Israel’s fighting forces as they conquer the territories God had long before promised to Abraham and his seed. By the time Israel is ready to fight Jericho, the surrounding tribes were so fearful that they had now sought sanctuary within Jericho’s walls. In the ensuing battle, the harlot, Rahab, helped Israel, aiding them in the name of their God. She later married Salmon, becoming the future grandmother of King David, whose line led to Jesus.

Focal Passage: Joshua 2, 6

God Has a Plan

  • In the books of Moses, how long did Israel’s disobedience cause them to have to wander in the wilderness? What was the reason for their punishment?
  • During those years of wandering, what were some of the miracles of God that took place?
  • Why was forty years chosen as the length of time of their sojourn? At the end of that time, what happened?
  • If you had been living in any of the surrounding territories, what would you have observed about these people? What does this period show about the character of God, that He would continue to manifest His love and care even when they had been very disobedient?
  • What are some miracles we experience every day?

 

God Uses People You May Never Expect (Rahab)

  • Read Joshua 2:1-7. How did Israel’s two spies meet Rahab in Jericho? Why did she promise them sanctuary?
  • Read 2:8-9, 14. Why was Rahab willing to help the spies? Why were the spies willing to trust Rahab? Why did God not hold her lies against her?
  • Read Matthew 1:5. Who did Rahab marry? Read James 2:25 and Hebrews 11:31. What title did she have in these two passages? How would you have felt, knowing that for centuries to come, all readers would know of your sinful past?

God Uses Ways You May Never Expect

  • Read Joshua 6:2-5, 10. If you were in Jericho watching Israel’s maneuvers the first two or three days as they circled the city, what would you have thought would be the outcome of the battle? Why?
  • Read 6:20, 22-25. In a normal scenario, what would have been the chances of Rahab and her family living through the destruction, with her house standing years later? Why wasn’t this normal?
  • Read 2: 17-21. We touched on Rahab in a previous question, but what was her token of trust?
  • What three times of significance does the color scarlet have for the Nation of Israel (and by extension, us) from Egypt to the Cross?

 

Close

            One of the common sayings that we’ve all heard on the authorship of the Bible is that only an Omnipotent God would have included so many situations, scarred people, or tales with unorthodox endings as are in the Scripture! Certainly, we have come upon many of them already.

            So much of what we read should comfort our souls as we walk this road of faith. To see the incredible care God took of Israel day after day, year after year, even as they spurned His laws and His plans, should bring us much comfort, as we, too, are so sinful. Yet He continues to shower us with blessings! And He has purposed plans for each one of us, as is written in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans I have for you…to give you hope and a future.” Even knowing this verse, how often do we ignore His will?

            It is mind-boggling that God led them for forty years with a pillar of Cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night! Yet again we contrast our own lives and see He has given to us—His children in this new millennium—His own presence in the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, as He leads, convicts, comforts, and so much more.

            Take a few minutes this week and read the notes that go along with this sermon, for they are filled with facts of interesting information, and it is not possible to include all of it here. Above all, take the lessons to heart that are being pulled out from these passages every week, praising God for the insight He has given to our pastoral staff as they seek to lead us in a closer walk with God until the day He calls us home.

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