Several years ago, just after I came to know the LORD, He gave me an instruction to write down everything that He was going to tell me. At first, I did not know what to do, as I was already writing down every sermon as well as keeping a journal for my quiet time. Later that Sunday, as I was preparing a fire for our usual Sunday lunch barbecue, or as we call it a braai, the LORD opened a fountain inside of me that would grow over the next nine years to where it is today. The scripture I received from the LORD that day was Jeremiah 30 verse 2. “Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.”
I had many questions that I could not find answers to, like where is heaven and can I get assurance that I will end up there, so I was forced to go to the Bible to find answers. Over those nine years, a lot happened in my life, but the LORD has always been faithful and spoke to me concerning Israel and their exodus from Egypt, and how this should serve as an example to us in committing our lives to the LORD. Eventually, I decided in 2001 to take up my fingers and start writing on my PC what you are reading. This was done firstly in Afrikaans, my first language, and translated or re-written in English starting in 2003. Only after finishing the original book did I look again at Jeremiah 30 again. I must admit that I knew the contents of verse two, but only then found out that verse three dealt with a promise that the LORD would one day bring Israel back to the Promised Land and that they would take possession of the land. The moment I saw this verse, I suddenly realized that the LORD is always faithful, as all the time He was dealing with me; he used Israel as an example. This is then also the way I will handle most questions, through using Israel as an example in answering the questions I had. This will provide us with a definitive answer on how to take possession of and keep possession of the Promised Land.
The name of the book stems from a custom we had at home where if you suddenly had to defend your answer, you had to provide a scriptural reference. If you could not do it, you would use the saying that it is somewhere in the book of Moses, probably in chapter 3 verse 3. I have adapted Moses slightly to fit in with what I believe the LORD is calling us to do today.
What is the subject matter of the book about? I will look at certain questions on becoming and staying a Christian, that I as a Christian have, and will try and answer them from the Bible. Not everyone is going to enjoy the answers from the Word, but I will look at the Word and what it has to say on the subject. I will use as a guide Acts 17 verses 11 and 12. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.”
We find in the New Testament that Paul also used Israel as an example. He writes as follows: “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. “(1Co 10:1-13) Here then follows the book of Moses.
The book is based on the promise the LORD made to Abraham that he would become the father of a multitude of nations and that in him every person will be blessed. For this I will examine every step of the covenant that the LORD made with Abraham, how and what Jesus did to fulfil these steps for us to receive the righteousness of Jesus. This will allow us to walk in the footsteps of the Holy Spirit every day and be obedient to God the Father, and Jesus Christ our savior.
Introduction
The book is dedicated to Hettie, my wife, and our children, who all had to live through many of these articles with me. Your support is appreciated. A special word of gratitude goes to Hettie who had to spend hours and hours listening to each article, for her honest feedback and critique. All honor goes to my LORD and Savior, for the opportunity given to me to write this book, and for what He deposited inside of me.
Life can be very strange at times. Just as we think that we have all the answers to all the questions in life, we find that we still have years of questions to be answered. Fortunately for us, we will not worry about these questions anymore when we are with Jesus in heaven, as He will then be our all in all. Only then will we understand everything.
But, what do we do while still on earth? Many times, we experience situations in our lives that for us seem inexplicable, or situations that we do not want to go through. In my own life, this has happened many times. Now, while writing this section, I find myself in such a situation again.
The only sure thing is that the LORD is preparing us for what He wants us to do. This is most probably why He gave us the following verses in Matthew 5 from verse 3. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
We also find a similar section in James chapter 1. “2 ¶ My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
These parts may not mean anything to you today but know this when we have questions that we cannot answer the LORD will provide the answers. How do I know that? Experience. This book was written because of questions I had, with the answers I found in the Bible.
I will also look at some subjects like what the expected behavior of is a Christian when found that you are in rebellion against society. How do you handle it? Why do I behave like this? These are some of the questions I will try to answer, as well as how am I supposed to act when I reach the Promised Land.
I would like to ask for your forgiveness if you find that I am still struggling with rejection, or that I might say something because of rebellion. I am still on the way. I still have things inside of me that hurt so much that I cannot write about them yet. Or maybe there are certain situations that I still must handle myself. Fortunately, I know that the LORD will use everyone who commits himself to being used.
What is my passion in life? That we will all do what the LORD wants us to do. That we will be obedient. I want for every person to have a close and real relationship with the LORD. Then it will not be necessary for us to live from Sunday to Sunday, just to struggle again on Monday with habits and customs that we know is not from the LORD. That we continuously act incorrectly, but we can fall on our faces before a Living God, Jesus Christ, and ask Him what He would like us to do. Remember we are His feet and His hands. We cannot expect Him to just wipe away all our problems. We must be like Him and live like Him. If it is necessary to support someone, let us share our belongings with him or her. Don’t just pray with the person. Provide for the need. Remember we are His hands and feet, His representatives.
We live in a time where we are all accustomed to instant food, instant solutions, instant banking, and a whole lot of other things. In our lives, we also want instant answers from the LORD. We forget that scripture declares that a thousand years is like a day to the LORD. Remember, He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He has always been like it. Remember that Abraham and Sarah had to wait twenty-five years for Isaac, and this after the LORD himself told them that they would have a son.
Similarly, this book is not meant to be an instant answer to all your questions. All I want to achieve is to get you delving into the Word of God, to get your thoughts going, and to see what the Bible is. A well-known personality in South Africa, Louis Malherbe, used to call the Bible his Workshop Manual. How does one use a Workshop Manual? See this question answered in Moses 2 Verse 9.
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