Property possession under the Law of Moses

DIGGING, SEARCHING and COMPARING...

The following questions have to do with property possession under the Law of Moses.  This is pertinent for understanding Naboth’s answer to Ahab and for understanding what happened to Naboth’s sons at the same time (2 Kings 9:26).

•Why might Naboth not want to sell his vineyard (Num. 36:7; Ezek. 46:18)?

•Using Leviticus 25:1-55, answer the following questions:

1.How do you know that fields could be redeemed by the original owner within a year or, if not then, in the year of Jubilee?

2.Who could the Israelites NOT sell their lands to?  Why?

•In the account found in Numbers 27 and Numbers 36, who received the inheritance of their father?  What would happen if they married within another tribe (Num. 27:7; Num. 36)?

•By implication, who usually received the inheritance (You may also search keywords birthright or firstborn.)?

•When there was no heir, who inherited?  Give the line of succession.

•Who were daughters to marry (Num. 36:3-13; Deut. 7:1-4)?

•By implication, who would sons of the tribes marry?

•What was to be the inheritance of the tribe of Levi (Num. 18; Num. 35; Deut. 10:9; 18:1)?

•What was the situation surrounding Ruth’s inheritance and why the nearest of kin could not take possession of it when Boaz gave him the chance (Ruth 4:5)? 

Enjoy!
--Beth Johnson

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

Tomorrow, Monday the 11^th, is Veteran’s Day. Or, as it used to be called, "Remembrance Day." I like to call it "Veteran’s Remembrance Day." Our lesson today will be built around this occasion and some thoughts regarding it. In doing so, I’m going to use a beautifully written article that I recently read and let it lead us into a spiritual application.

The article of which I speak is entitled "The Path Of The Warrior" and, due to it being quite lengthy, I’ll synopsise it here and give you the salient points of it and then draw some spiritual conclusions relative to those points.

The article starts off by reminding us that there are many "callings" in life with which we can choose to involve ourselves. Many "paths" that can be taken. Callings such as teaching, business, medical service, etc. But, one of the most difficult is the "path of the warrior."

William Havard, a military chaplain during WW1 once penned these words: "The greatest glory of a free-born people is to transmit that freedom to their children." It is the warrior who is called on to protect that freedom so that it can be passed on to following generations. It’s the warrior that fights for others in places far from home and family. All the while knowing that it may cost them their life or much pain and suffering.

To be a warrior requires certain qualities, to wit: COURAGE, COMMITMENT & RESILIENCE. It takes COURAGE to face the enemy and the horrors of war. It takes COMMITMENT to leave behind loved ones in order to ensure their safety. And, it takes RESILIENCE to remain focused on the goal of preventing our freedom from being lost.

Some pretty astute person once said, "Politics and opinions flow like the ocean’s tide." I don’t know who that person was, but he/she said a mouthful when they said it. What is meant by that is, that they are always changing, always moving. But, as it applies to our illustration, the "path of the warrior" remains steadfast.

This is where the "resiliency" comes into play. The warrior recognizes the enemy as such and meets him on the field of battle. Even though the warrior is always prepared to meet the enemy and perform his duty, no one wants peace more than the warrior. And the reason for that is because the warrior knows, better than anyone else, the true cost of war.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur once said: "The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war." To me, that is why we must never fail to pay respects and honor to our veterans.

The warrior knows that freedom has never been free. He knows that the price of freedom has always been paid for by blood. Yet, when the time for battle comes the warrior never flinches from it. It is by and through the actions of the warrior that we enjoy the blessings of liberty and freedom.

The article concluded by dedicating the words and thoughts of it to "the men and women - the warriors - who have fought our wars with honor and courage." The author of the article then closed with this prayer: "May God bless you and keep you safe until you are once more in the arms of your loved ones." I just simply add: AMEN!

Okay, parabolically speaking, let’s lay our spiritual lesson along side the thoughts of the aforementioned article - the "Path Of The Warrior." In doing so, let’s see Christians as warriors and I think the comparisons will be easily seen.

Let me start by reminding you that Christians are the members, the soldiers, of God’s Army. Just like everyone in society, we’ve had or still have, various "callings" in our lives. But, no matter what earthly "path" we’ve followed, we recognize a higher one - our service to God and Christ.

Being in that "Army", we know that sometimes that service can be difficult. That sometimes we have to take our "sword" (Eph. 6:17 the "word of God") and meet the forces of evil in battle. It’s here that the qualities of the "earthly warrior" apply to the "Christian warrior."

We have to have COURAGE to face the enemy, the "wiles of the devil" (Eph. 6:11) in any and all of its various forms. To stand up for Christ when it may not be the popular or safe thing to do. I’m reminded of a hymn we frequently sing entitled: "Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus" and you’ll recall these words from verse 2: "Let courage rise with danger, And strength to strength oppose."

As to the Christian warrior’s COMMITMENT, we have to be fully committed to the cause of Christ. Be always prepared to follow our "General" and the teachings of His Truth because there is so much untruth surrounding us. In other words, if we’re going to wield the "sword" we’d better know how to use it correctly and to its best effectiveness.

Does the Christian warrior have to have RESILIENCE? Absolutely! We have to remain focused on the Christian’s goal as much as the earthly warriors do on theirs. That goal is, in a nutshell, to save their own soul and as many others as they can. Bible words that tie closely to resilience are "perseverance" and "diligence." In Eph. 6:18 where we’ve just read about the "armor of God" we see that we have to wage our warfare against the devil "with all perseverance." Peter tells us in 2Pet. 1:10 that we have to have "diligence to make our calling and election sure."

Like unto the "politics and opinions" mentioned earlier, there are many false doctrines put in this world by our enemy - Satan. And, like the "tide," they’re constantly changing. Could that be why the Gospel calls them the "winds of doctrine?" (Eph 4:14) In the face of this, the Christian warrior has to remain COURAGEOUS, COMMITTED AND RESILIENT in our duty to Christ.
And, we have to embody these qualities throughout our service period, with that being our death (Rev. 2:10). Only then do we leave the field of battle and are "once more in the arms of our loved ones." And then will come the "peace" that our warrior lives have sought for.

We have to always be prepared, be on guard, to face our greatest enemy, or as God says, our "Adversary." (1Pet. 5:8) Because we know that to lose this spiritual battle is to lose our eternal life, thus, our eternal peace. Remember the price of "freedom" is "blood?" The price of our soul’s "freedom" was the blood shed on the cross by Christ. That He "laid down His life for His friends."

In closing, I’d like to echo the sentiment expressed by the author of "The Path Of The Warrior" and dedicate my thoughts today to all of the faithful "warriors" in God’s Service, in the past and those "warriors" operating on the "front lines" today.

                            "We shall find peace. We shall hear the angels, we shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds." Anton Chekhov
Ron Covey

WHERE AND HOW TO SEEK THE LORD

Our work is to discern which temptations the person we are trying to teach has fallen to—the person who does not (yet) understand God's truth. There could be many reasons, but Romans 1:18-32 and 2 Thess. 2:10-12 make it very clear why the majority of souls don't respond.

From those passages we understand that the test must be given when a person is very young!  In one sense that seems strange. At what age does the Lord show a person the truth about himself (Rom. 1:20-21)?

I understood about the Lord making the world at a rather young age (comparatively), and made a decision to seek Him—maybe not like I should have, but a decision to seek Him nevertheless. My parents had supplied a great deal of knowledge, and the Bible classes and lessons at the assembly gave me much more to work with, so that when I made the decision to seek the Lord, I knew reasonably well where to look in the scriptures. Of course I have found much more over the years, but the initial decision was not thwarted by a lack of knowledge of where to look! Nevertheless, the Lord says he is looking down from heaven to find those who seek him, AND, understand (Psa. 14:1-3; 53:1-3).

Beth Johnson

Apps for hiking

"Trail Guide"

Daniel Boone was a legend in his own time. A woodsman at heart, he spent months at a time hunting, trapping, and scouting out the territory west of the Allegheny Mountains. As more settlers made the decision to move into new regions, his services were often called upon. He knew the terrain, and could show these pioneers the way to get to where they wanted to go. "Trail blazer" is a good description of his life.

Those who love hiking in the woods know about that term "blaze". It signifies a mark on a tree or a rock (usually made with long-lasting paint) that tells a hiker he or she is on the right path. The rule of thumb is that as you stand next to one of these blazes you should be able to see the next one in the distance. (That's not always the case.)

But how to get to these trails in the first place? Modern hikers have at their disposal new technology to take with them on their adventures. I, for example, carry my smart phone with me. One of the apps on my phone will list (if I can receive a signal!) all the trails in the vicinity, giving descriptions and reviews of each. I can also blaze my own trail and record my tracks so others can follow. Daniel Boone is now in my pocket!

Hiking through the mountains is now easier than ever. Wouldn't it be nice if there was such an app for life in general? As a person prepares to trek through marriage or parenthood, for example, wouldn't it be great if someone was there to guide them?

Actually, there's an app for that, too! It's called "the Bible". Whether you have a Bible app on a smart phone or tablet, or simply carry a leather-bound copy under your arm, you already have a guide to show you the way.

The psalmist pointed to this truth: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). God's word can illuminate our way, no matter where we are in life. It has wisdom to give us understanding for all of life's challenging times.

In hiking a trail recently, we came to a crossing of paths that was not clearly marked. The path we chose turned out to be correct - but what if it had been the wrong choice?

God provides for such times of confusion: "Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess" (Deuteronomy 5:32,33).

Daniel Boone was susceptible to mistakes; so is the trail app on my phone. But the Lord's directions never fail. If followed, they always lead to abundant life (John 10:10).

Timothy D. Hall

BIBLE PROVERBS ON ANGER

Strife

Proverbs 17

¹Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

Proverbs 17 - inevidable

¹⁹He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

Proverbs 17 - prevention

¹⁴The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

Proverbs 10 – benefit of the doubt gets lost

¹²Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Proverbs 29 – just a matter of time

²²An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

Proverbs 28 – pride vs. trust?

²⁵He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

Proverbs 26 - fodder

²¹As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Proverbs 26 - MYOB

¹⁷He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

Proverbs 30

³³Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

Proverbs 22

¹⁰Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

Proverbs 26

²⁰Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

Proverbs 15

¹⁸A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Proverbs 20 - MYOB

³It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

2 Timothy 2 – gentleness AND apt teaching

²³But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. ²⁴And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, ²⁵In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth

Consequences of Hatred

Proverbs 14 – destroys judgment

¹⁷He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

Proverbs 22 – anger accompanies iniquity (useless and futile)

⁸He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

Proverbs 19 – lack of control?

¹⁹A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

Proverbs 25 – like answering a matter before you hear it?

⁸Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbor hath put thee to shame.

Proverbs 28 – this will be punished

¹⁷A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

Proverbs 18 – scorn? Punishes himself

⁶A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

Proverbs 20

²The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

Proverbs 22 – evil communication

²⁴Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: ²⁵Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

Characteristics of a Person Who Hates – Or Doesn’t

Proverbs 10 – but he thinks he is so sly

¹⁸He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

Proverbs 21 – every proud person will be punished

²⁴Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

Proverbs 25 – murderer?

¹⁸A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

Proverbs 17 – great anger

¹²Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

Proverbs 27 – great anger

³A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both.

Proverbs 28

¹⁵As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

Proverbs 29 – opposites repel

¹⁰The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.

Proverbs 27 – the most evil hatred

⁴Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

Proverbs 16 – “I just couldn’t help myself…”

³²He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Proverbs 14

²⁹He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

What to Choose Instead of Hatred

Proverbs 15

¹⁷Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

Proverbs 21

⁹It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

Proverbs 21

¹⁹It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

Proverbs 25

²⁴It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

Proverbs 24 – “vengeance is mine…”

²⁹Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

Proverbs 25

²¹If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: ²²For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

What Brings on Anger and What Controls It

Proverbs 18

¹⁹A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Proverbs 29 - Cain

¹⁰The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.

Proverbs 29

⁸Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.

Proverbs 25

²³The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

Proverbs 25

¹⁷Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

Proverbs 21

¹⁴A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

Proverbs 19

¹¹The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

Proverbs 15

¹A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Proverbs 17

⁹He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

Proverbs 10

¹²Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Brett Johnson

Incognito Isn't Anymore

Richie Incognito, an offensive lineman for the Miami Dolphins, isn't "incognito" anymore.  Rather he's been the lead story in sporting news for the past week.  Incognito was thrust into the national spotlight because of accusations his fellow teammate, Jonathan Martin, leveled against him for bullying.

A message left on Martin's voice mail seems to validate the accusations made against Incognito.  In this voicemail, Richie Incognito left a terribly vulgar, profane, and threatening message.  Consequently, the Dolphins organization suspended Incognito, and will likely dismiss him from the team.

If everything is as it seems, Incognito is deserving of punishment.  He's been caught dead to rights. Whatever happens to him is of his own making.  He's made himself an easy mark.  But here's a question I'd like for us to answer -- Have we ever been caught dead to rights?  Have we ever made ourselves an easy mark?  Have we ever been guilty, with no excuses to hide behind?  If so, what did we need at that moment?

We needed grace, forgiveness, and understanding.  I'm not suggesting that we or Incognito for that matter, shouldn't have to face the consequences of our/his misconduct, but we don't need to be abandoned and rejected in such moments.  That's not what Jesus did, and as his disciples, that's not how we should respond either.

We may not be in a position to reach out to Richie Incognito in his hour of failure, but aren't there others to whom we can reach out?  What about the unmarried, teenage girl who ends up pregnant?  What about the person who is unfaithful to his marriage vows?  What about the person who is caught in an embarrassing lie?  What about the person who is caught abusing alcohol or some other drug? And the list can go on and on.  These people have made themselves easy marks, and it would be easy to "pile on," but I'd like to call you to a more Christlike response.  Hate the sin, but love the sinner.  There are people in your sphere of influence who have really messed up. How do you plan on responding to them?

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God

1 John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

You and I as children of God should be the happiest people on the face of this earth. Every day we should be rejoicing (1 Pet. 1:8-9, 1 Thess. 5:16, Phil. 4:4, Rom. 5:1-2, Ps. 9:1-2). Certainly, there are times when our hearts do become heavy and our steps are a little slow because of some adverse condition that has occurred but those times should only be momentary and not of a lasting nature because we have a fellowship with the Father and his Son that enables us to rise above all the adverse circumstances (1 John 1:1-7, 1 Cor. 1:9, 1 John 4:4).

Thanks be to God, we have been delivered from the power of darkness and have been redeemed through the blood of Jesus having our sins forgiven (Col. 1:12-14). As a result of our obedience to the Son of God, there awaits for us a home not made with hands, eternal in the heavens (2 Cor. 5:1-2). We often sing, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, O what foretaste of glory divine, Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of his Spirit, washed in His blood”.  We also sing, “My name is written in the Book of Life, O bless the name of Jesus….I know, I know my name is written there”. However, I afraid that a lot of folks do not have the assurance of that which they sing about (1 Cor. 14:15). I have heard individuals when asked if they are going to heaven respond by saying, “hope so”, “maybe” or “just have to wait and see”, or “I just don’t know”. The answer should be a resounding  “yes”. This is not being cocky or boastful. Rather, it is showing our trust in our Lord and what he tells us. John tells us over and over in the book of 1 John “we know”, “we know”. I fear that sometimes we exhibit more fear and frustration than faith. This simply shows a lack of confidence in God and his exceedingly precious promises to us (2 Pet. 1:1-4, John 14:1-3, Rom. 8:26-27, 35-39, Mk. 16:16, Ps. 29:11, Phil. 4:6-7, Rom. 8:28, 31, 1 Pet. 5:7, Heb. 13:5).

Our confidence comes not from ourselves but from the Lord. We should be shouting from the roof top, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me” Phil. 4:13; “ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…” (Gal. 2:20);  “….I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Tim. 1:12). Knowing that Christ lives in me, knowing that I am a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), knowing that my sins are forgiven (Col. 1:14) and I walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4) and knowing that God will never leave me nor forsake me (Heb. 13:5), I can sing loudly and with great confidence, “I know, I know my name is written there”

God said it, I believe it and that ends the matter.

Charles Hicks