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Stories From The Old Testament That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  A great victory…“But” 7:1  Israel acted unfaithfully…“sinned” 7:11  Though only 1 person violated God’s ban re: Jericho, the collective work of the nation was adversely affected  Sin was in the camp!! Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  A great victory…“But” 7:1  When just 1 among us is guilty of sin, everyone is affected 1 Cor 5:6-7 12:26  Because of our connection together, our “joint work” for God will be hindered Eph 4:25b Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  Failure at Ai 7:2-5  Spies advised Joshua not to “trouble the entire army…only send 3,000”  The men of Ai struck down Israel…36 killed  Israel’s heart was “melted”  God had not been consulted!! Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  Joshua reacts to defeat 7:6-9  He tore his clothes & fell on his face  He cried to God, “Why did You bring us across the Jordan only to deliver us to the Amorites? If only we had been willing to dwell beyond the Jordan!!” cp. Num 14:3 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  God reacts to Joshua 7:10-15  “Get up!!” [Not pleased with his cry] v. 10  Accusation Ù “Israel has sinned” v. 11  Procedures given to identify the sinner vv cp. Prov 16:33 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  God reacts to Joshua 7:10-15  If God already knew, why this “process?” cp. Gen 3:9, 11 4:9-10 Acts 5:8  Could this have been Achan’s chance to repent? Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  Joshua deals with Achan 7:22-26  The “stolen spoil” was recovered vv  Achan & all that belonged to him was stoned to death & then burned vv  A “heap of stones” was raised over the remains to stand as a reminder v. 26 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  Lessons learned from this story… Ê Sin detracts from any accomplishments we gain “by faith” Heb 11:30 Josh 7:1 Ë God knows all we do Heb 4:13 Ì My sin affects others…even the “innocent” 7:5, 24 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  Lessons learned from this story… Í Sin thwarts God’s presence among us 7:12 Î Sin must be removed from “the camp” 7:15, Cor 5:4-5, 7 Ï Sin never benefits the one who chooses it 7:21 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  Lessons learned from this story… Ð We don’t have to “steal” from God in order to be blessed 7:11 8:27 Ñ Sin in “the camp” affects all in “the camp” 7:1, 11 1 Cor 12:26-27 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg  Philistine domination of Israel proved God’s displeasure with His people’s “cyclical sinning” (Period of Judges)  God had in mind one who would “begin to deliver Israel” with moral & physical strength Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion Ù Samson

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg  However, Samson proved to be only a “man of the times”  Even though God used him, for the most part he was only concerned with himself and his own desires Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg  Israel’s condition 13:1  Once again, she “…did evil in the sight of the Lord” [indicative of 350 yr. cycle of sin]  As a result, God gave her over into the hands of the Philistines for 40 years Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg  God’s response 13:2-5  God “visited” Manoah and his barren wife  The angel gave her instructions for her during her pregnancy v. 4  The angel also instructed her re: her son once he was born v. 5 [Nazirite vow]  He was to begin to give Israel redemption Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg  God’s response 13:2-5  The Nazirite Vow Num 6  A vow of dedication to the Lord v. 2  A vow of separation v. 4  Taken willingly for specified period of time  During the vow, one was “holy” v. 8 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of “Weak Strength” Judg  God’s response 13:2-5  The Nazirite Vow Num 6  During the vow…  …he had to completely abstain from anything related to the grape vv. 3-4  …he couldn’t shave his hair or beard v. 5 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

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