Beyond the Jordan

The Book of Deuteronomy opens with Moses’ final words that he will speak to them before his death and before the cross the Jordan to take the Promised Land. Moses and the children of Israel are still at the plain of Moab across from Jericho. It was in this place that Balaam and Balak tried to curse Israel and were unsuccessful. It was in this place where the children of Israel were seduced into worship of Baal Peor and were saved by Phineas’ swift action. What is the spiritual and prophetic significance of this time and place?

 

Bound by Vows and Oaths

Vows and oaths are part of every community of people. In the marriage vow, husband and wife agree to observe specific behaviors. In a courtroom, the witnesses swear an oath that the words they speak are true. God told the children of Israel that they were bound by their vows and oaths. What does this commandment reveal about both God’s character and His people’s characters? What does Yeshua teach about vows and oaths? How important are vows and oaths?

Set a Man Over the Congregation

The children of Israel were camped in the plains of Moab right across the Jordan River from Jericho. They were ready to go into the land, but who would lead them. Miriam and Aaron had already died and God had told Moses that he would die soon. Moses was concerned for the people and who would be their next leader. Moses asked God to set a man over the congregation of Israel. What are the characteristics of this leader? We know this next leader will be Joshua, how did Joshua meet these characteristics? What was his mission? Where do we see Yeshua in Joshua, the man God set over the children of Israel?

 

The Spiritual Battlefield

After forty years of wandering, the children of Israel were finally at the borders of the Promised Land! They had carefully skirted around the land held by Edom, the descendants of Esau. They had fought and won battles against the Amorites. Now, poised on the edge of the territory of Moab, they turned their focus toward the Promised Land. However, danger was not to come from their enemies in the Promised Land, it was to come from an unexpected source behind them. Trouble was coming from the Moabites! It wasn’t a physical threat, though. This threat would turn out to be a spiritual threat. How did the children of Israel deal with this threat? What does this incident tell us about God’s protection from spiritual forces? How do we deal with spiritual threats?