Verse 17-Gideon took the lead in showing his people what needed to be done. When we see good examples of older men in the congregation we can follow their example.
In Judges chapter 7, we see that God wanted to reduce the huge number of Gideon's army prior to their attack on the Midianite army, which were beyond number. Gideon had thirty-two thousand men which God determined were too many. That number was reduced to ten thousand when those who were fearful for their lives were given the option to leave the upcoming battle. But this ten thousand was also too many, so God used the manner of drinking of water from the stream.
Those who lapped the water (like a dog), used their palms to scoop up the water & lapped it up from there. The others, put their mouth straight into the stream & therefore were able to quench their thirst by drinking a large amount of water. Those who used their palms numbered only three hundred which means that nine thousand seven hundred men were then released from duty.
I believe that the reason for the Lord initiating this method was to separate those who were not fully absorbed in quenching their thirst from those who would rather put their own physical needs first. The former group bent over & used one hand to bring the water to their mouth whilst their other hand held their weapon at the ready & their eyes observed the situation around them.
The other group went down on their knees, hands supporting their bodies & were focussed in drinking rather than on the possibility of the enemy being near to them. This demonstrated that those three hundred men who were selected were true soldiers ready at an instant to any sound or movement of the enemy. As well, the Lord wanted to show to Gideon & his now small army, that numbers don't matter with the Lord (verse 2) - when the Lord calls His people to action, He also equips & goes before us to bring us the victory. And this shows without doubt that it is only the Lord Who hath done this & not because of numbers or man's strength.
Insult on whom? I'm showing the fact that God knows all things and that He created evil and death for a purpose of a temporary earth. I know it's hard to believe, it was for me too, but it's plain to see in the word of God.
If you can accept ISAIAH 45:7 about evil, then understanding will come easily. Remember the slaughtered lamb before the foundation of the world? There's no forgiveness of sin without the shedding of blood. The lamb's blood was shed only for sin before sin was. Don't you see the plan God is showing us?
Why God did not allow Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of life after they sinned instead He put them out of the garden? The plan of salvation is not by eating or works but by the shedding of a sin free blood, God's own blood. God bless you
Dear Vince, I just noticed the insult: "So to be wise, one has to know good and evil. This will take time for you to get."
Matthew 12:36-37
"Are you saying here that God created the world and out of no where evil entered the creation? That would mean God don't know all things. God put evil and death here, therefore, this world was not intended to be everlasting paradise."
God is so powerful that He can choose to be in the moment and can change His mind too. Jonah 3:10, Genesis 18:26, Exodus 32:14, Genesis 6:6. So, one could take the other side of the argument and ask, do you not think God is powerful enough to change his mind or live temporarily in the moment and react as things unfold?
I don't think anyone can say with 100% certainty as to God's intent, his thoughts or feelings ( 1 Corinthians 2:11), but Genesis 6:6 does say God grieved and had some regret for making man in the garden. He also had regret for how evil mankind had become prior to the flood. He loved us enough to give us freedom of choice, but when so many people choose evil I'm sure God doesn't take kindly to that. It should be equally upsetting to those committing the evil, but if not now, they absolutely will regret it later.
All things are possible with God. To choose who to be saved is one of God's great powers. Man don't and man can not possess such a power. I know this is hard to comprehend now because of all the years of being taught that salvation is up to you and me " us", whenever we're ready. If this is the case, then explain how those groups I mentioned, will be saved.
God does not have 2 salvation plans. The Bible says all have sinned including people in the future. The in the book of Revelation, God showed the prophet John all the people who will be in heaven and God gave them each a stone with a new name. Who then would God wait to see who will choose to be saved? God bless you
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
You accept and obey, you will be blessed. You reject and disobey, you will be cursed. To be saved though, it's all the act of God and God alone. God did not do His part and then leave the rest for whoever can and whoever will. Salvation is not God did His now you do yours if you want to be saved. God bless you
It's Holy Ghost filled before resurrection and not the other way round. And by the way, are you basing your resurrection on your acts of faith? If that's the case, then read the book of revelation carefully and see if the LORD will teach you how and who will be resurrected. God bless you
Thanks for your reply. I read your post and see where you mentioned free will. We all have free will for everything that's available and convenient to us depending on our desire at that time. The only free will mankind don't have is the free will for heaven. We have all been placed to face God's wrath of death which is, heading for hell, but Almighty God foreknew the ones He choose to be with Him eternally. He choose them before the world began by His great mercy and grace. Just like we had no choice in being born in this world, same with being born again in God's Kingdom, the choice is and must be God's.
If that choice is left to you and me, how then will the millions of souls that perished in the womb from Adam till now and more to go the same way today and in the future, choose to be saved?
How will and how have the autistic members of the societies around the entire world be able to know what they are doing in choosing to be saved?
How will God judge the other nations of people who have no way of getting the gospel of the LORD JESUS due to their cultural up bringing and destain of other cultures?
How about those who lived and died before Jesus was even born?
And finally, what will happen to children who died very young before they could even understand reading and writing much less spell Jesus' name?
The answer is simple, God has chosen His own out of all these groups of souls including the rest of us who are not in these categories. For us to choose to be saved, then all will have to have equality in terms of hearing the word, accessible to the word and freedom to practice the word. I hope you see. God bless you
This being another subject in this thread. About how some seem to think the epistles of Paul are of some greater value or more special than any of the other books in the Holy Bible.
The writings, epistles, of Paul are important and unique. Though there are many people that pick and choose verses to try and fit their own narrative or belief. Also done with other Scriptures as stated by Peter.
I just want to quote two statements from the second epistle of Peter. Which someone had bad mouthed and called them some dirty name like they are not prophecy from God.
2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
Then Peter prophesying about people taking Paul's writings and twisting them. Which is happening before our eyes today.
2 Peter 3:15-16 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest(twist), as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
As I have posted a couple times in this thread. I apologize again as the comment I made to you was because I thought you pertained to me when you stated "Richard" in a reply. It seems it was the other Richard.
Following the posts being made in this thread it seems you and I have the same interpretation of these things in the Holy Bible.
Replying to some that may think it's all up to them which path to take. Which is true to a certain point. We have been blessed with free will and choice. It seems to be that some may not keep in mind that God knows everything past, present, and future. He knew the end before the beginning. He knows exactly who His chosen ones are as you stated. As Jesus stated "I know my sheep, they know me and follow me"(paraphrasing).
One other thing is how many times the Lord made parables about the saved and unsaved. So unless they do not agree with the teachings of Jesus in the four Gospels one might say "everyone is saved". Like I stated in another post it is a nice and loving thought but this is not what is taught in the Holy Bible. As I know of six different parables, teachings, from Christ that differentiate there will be the saved and unsaved. And weather any one person knows it or not yet they have been chosen before we took our first breadth.
This would be Herod Agrippa the 1st. He is the grandson of Herod the Great, the one who killed the babies during the Lord's birth. Herod Agrippa the 1st reigned from 37 to 44 A.D.
His son, Herod Agrippa the 2nd will be the one that Paul will stand in front of later on in the book of Acts.
There are several places in the Bible that states "ALL" have the option of accepting or rejecting the gospel, all of us also have the truth of the knowledge of God built into us at production, it's on me if I choose to fly or deny!!!
Paul don't own a gospel. Jesus gave Paul a work to spread the gospel. Those who respond to the gospel are the ones chosen by God but we will all see who really were chosen on the day of judgment. Be patient. Man don't like to wait, but with God, all things are done in His time.
That line you quoted by Paul is one of the things I explained earlier; that is, Paul sometimes injects some of his former religious practices in the gospel and it takes knowing God's word in depth to see it. God bless you
Are you implying that Jesus did His part of the work of salvation and the rest is up to us in order to complete God's salvation plan? This is a common theme amongst church going people, but as I have explained earlier, God's salvation plan is God's and God's alone, no human being as no part to play or contribute to his or her salvation. None deserves His mercy and grace. Salvation is of 3 parts, 1- CHOSEN, 2- PAYMENT FOR SIN and 3- RESURRECTION. 1 has been accomplished from before the foundation of the world( CHOSEN). 2 Jesus PAID for the chosen over 2000 years ago and 3 is the final part to complete God's salvation plan; the RESURRECTION from death.
Man agree that they can not pay for their sins and they also agree they can not resurrect themselves, but they think they can at least choose to be saved. If that's the basis of being saved, then only the very, very few who have the chance to hear the gospel will have faith which cometh by hearing. This topic is a very long one therefore I'm writing about this very issue in my book. I hope you will get a copy so you can agree with God's plan. God bless you
Jesus did pay it all at Calvary, he completed his work, all the work. The hearers and the thirsty are invited into his righteousness, rest and peace by faith and repentance. The same, staying faithful, will know the presence of Holy Ghost while time remains.
Those who lapped the water (like a dog), used their palms to scoop up the water & lapped it up from there. The others, put their mouth straight into the stream & therefore were able to quench their thirst by drinking a large amount of water. Those who used their palms numbered only three hundred which means that nine thousand seven hundred men were then released from duty.
I believe that the reason for the Lord initiating this method was to separate those who were not fully absorbed in quenching their thirst from those who would rather put their own physical needs first. The former group bent over & used one hand to bring the water to their mouth whilst their other hand held their weapon at the ready & their eyes observed the situation around them.
The other group went down on their knees, hands supporting their bodies & were focussed in drinking rather than on the possibility of the enemy being near to them. This demonstrated that those three hundred men who were selected were true soldiers ready at an instant to any sound or movement of the enemy. As well, the Lord wanted to show to Gideon & his now small army, that numbers don't matter with the Lord (verse 2) - when the Lord calls His people to action, He also equips & goes before us to bring us the victory. And this shows without doubt that it is only the Lord Who hath done this & not because of numbers or man's strength.
judges 7;5
Insult on whom? I'm showing the fact that God knows all things and that He created evil and death for a purpose of a temporary earth. I know it's hard to believe, it was for me too, but it's plain to see in the word of God.
If you can accept ISAIAH 45:7 about evil, then understanding will come easily. Remember the slaughtered lamb before the foundation of the world? There's no forgiveness of sin without the shedding of blood. The lamb's blood was shed only for sin before sin was. Don't you see the plan God is showing us?
Why God did not allow Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of life after they sinned instead He put them out of the garden? The plan of salvation is not by eating or works but by the shedding of a sin free blood, God's own blood. God bless you
Matthew 12:36-37
"Are you saying here that God created the world and out of no where evil entered the creation? That would mean God don't know all things. God put evil and death here, therefore, this world was not intended to be everlasting paradise."
God is so powerful that He can choose to be in the moment and can change His mind too. Jonah 3:10, Genesis 18:26, Exodus 32:14, Genesis 6:6. So, one could take the other side of the argument and ask, do you not think God is powerful enough to change his mind or live temporarily in the moment and react as things unfold?
I don't think anyone can say with 100% certainty as to God's intent, his thoughts or feelings ( 1 Corinthians 2:11), but Genesis 6:6 does say God grieved and had some regret for making man in the garden. He also had regret for how evil mankind had become prior to the flood. He loved us enough to give us freedom of choice, but when so many people choose evil I'm sure God doesn't take kindly to that. It should be equally upsetting to those committing the evil, but if not now, they absolutely will regret it later.
I would like to apologize to you for thinking you never post or reply to an salvation topic,
I stumbled on a thread where you gave great insight on the topic on several occasions, I never saw these!!
Again I sincerely apologize.
God does not have 2 salvation plans. The Bible says all have sinned including people in the future. The in the book of Revelation, God showed the prophet John all the people who will be in heaven and God gave them each a stone with a new name. Who then would God wait to see who will choose to be saved? God bless you
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Thanks for your reply. I read your post and see where you mentioned free will. We all have free will for everything that's available and convenient to us depending on our desire at that time. The only free will mankind don't have is the free will for heaven. We have all been placed to face God's wrath of death which is, heading for hell, but Almighty God foreknew the ones He choose to be with Him eternally. He choose them before the world began by His great mercy and grace. Just like we had no choice in being born in this world, same with being born again in God's Kingdom, the choice is and must be God's.
If that choice is left to you and me, how then will the millions of souls that perished in the womb from Adam till now and more to go the same way today and in the future, choose to be saved?
How will and how have the autistic members of the societies around the entire world be able to know what they are doing in choosing to be saved?
How will God judge the other nations of people who have no way of getting the gospel of the LORD JESUS due to their cultural up bringing and destain of other cultures?
How about those who lived and died before Jesus was even born?
And finally, what will happen to children who died very young before they could even understand reading and writing much less spell Jesus' name?
The answer is simple, God has chosen His own out of all these groups of souls including the rest of us who are not in these categories. For us to choose to be saved, then all will have to have equality in terms of hearing the word, accessible to the word and freedom to practice the word. I hope you see. God bless you
:)
Does anyone know where this is written?
This being another subject in this thread. About how some seem to think the epistles of Paul are of some greater value or more special than any of the other books in the Holy Bible.
The writings, epistles, of Paul are important and unique. Though there are many people that pick and choose verses to try and fit their own narrative or belief. Also done with other Scriptures as stated by Peter.
I just want to quote two statements from the second epistle of Peter. Which someone had bad mouthed and called them some dirty name like they are not prophecy from God.
2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
Then Peter prophesying about people taking Paul's writings and twisting them. Which is happening before our eyes today.
2 Peter 3:15-16 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest(twist), as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
God Bless.
As I have posted a couple times in this thread. I apologize again as the comment I made to you was because I thought you pertained to me when you stated "Richard" in a reply. It seems it was the other Richard.
Following the posts being made in this thread it seems you and I have the same interpretation of these things in the Holy Bible.
Replying to some that may think it's all up to them which path to take. Which is true to a certain point. We have been blessed with free will and choice. It seems to be that some may not keep in mind that God knows everything past, present, and future. He knew the end before the beginning. He knows exactly who His chosen ones are as you stated. As Jesus stated "I know my sheep, they know me and follow me"(paraphrasing).
One other thing is how many times the Lord made parables about the saved and unsaved. So unless they do not agree with the teachings of Jesus in the four Gospels one might say "everyone is saved". Like I stated in another post it is a nice and loving thought but this is not what is taught in the Holy Bible. As I know of six different parables, teachings, from Christ that differentiate there will be the saved and unsaved. And weather any one person knows it or not yet they have been chosen before we took our first breadth.
God Bless you brother.
His son, Herod Agrippa the 2nd will be the one that Paul will stand in front of later on in the book of Acts.
:)
That line you quoted by Paul is one of the things I explained earlier; that is, Paul sometimes injects some of his former religious practices in the gospel and it takes knowing God's word in depth to see it. God bless you
Man agree that they can not pay for their sins and they also agree they can not resurrect themselves, but they think they can at least choose to be saved. If that's the basis of being saved, then only the very, very few who have the chance to hear the gospel will have faith which cometh by hearing. This topic is a very long one therefore I'm writing about this very issue in my book. I hope you will get a copy so you can agree with God's plan. God bless you