Tag: Exodus

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What are the Benefits of God?

What are the Lord’s benefits?

Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits–
Psalm 103:2 AMPC
We are called to bless the Lord and not forget his benefits. In the storms and trials of life, it is easy to focus on the challenges ahead and forget about the prior challenges that God has successfully overcome on our behalf.
So what are some of the benefits that God has prepared for those that fear Him and keep his commandments  (Psalms 103:17-18).
1. He forgives our sins.
In the model prayer (Matthew 6:12), Jesus teaches us to forgive others even as we ask for God to forgive our sins.
2. He heals our diseases
God says”He will put none of the diseases He brought on the Egyptians upon us” (Exodus 15:26).
3. He redeems our life from destruction (hell)
Psalm 34:22 says “He redeems the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in Him shall be desolate”.
4. He crowns us with loving kindness and tender mercies (compassion)
See story of prodigal son in Luke 15:11-24.
5. He satisfies us with good things
He is Jehovah Jireh, our provider. James 1:17 says “every good and perfect gift is from God”.
6. He renews our youth like the eagles
Isaiah 40:31 NIV says “but those who hope in the Lord  will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint”.
7. He executes righteousness and judgment for all the oppressed
Jesus said come to me all who are heavy burdened and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:38-30).
8. He makes His ways and His acts known to us
For example, he revealed His plans to Abraham concerning his future (Genesis 12:1-3), Sodom (Genesis 18:17), and even the bondage of the Israelites in Egypt (Genesis 15:12-14).

Our Prayer For You

Father, we pray that your people will not forget all the benefits that you daily give to them (Psalms 68:19; Psalms 103:2). 

Did You Know?

The Lord is our salvation and daily loads us with benefits (Psalms 68:19 NKJV).

About BibleStorm

At BibleStorm, our mission is to illuminate hidden truth found in God’s Word (i.e. the bible). Our vision is to see people become more familiar with the bible, biblical themes and concepts and to develop a hunger/desire to learn more about God through His Word. We are doing our part to seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of salvation through bible trivia. And to help people transform their minds through the living Word of God. Learn more about us.

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What Were Israel’s forms of government in the Old Testament?

November 6 is election day in the United States of America. So our trivia question for today is:

Which of the following forms of government did Israel NOT have in the Old Testament?
A. Anarchy
B. Democracy
C. Monarchy
D. Theocracy

The answer is “B” – Israel did not have a democratic form of government during the Old Testament. They started with a Theocracy, went through a period of Anarchy, before choosing a Monarchy.

 

Theocracy

The Israelites initially had a theocracy (ruled directly by God) beginning with God establishing His covenant with Abraham [1] through the days of Moses and Joshua. For example, God led the people out of Egypt and through the wilderness to the promised land using a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night. [2] When the pillar moved, the people moved. God was training the people to follow Him (and for today’s believers, He does that through the Holy Spirit).

 

Anarchy

God told the people of Israel that when they entered the promised land, they were to: [3]
  • Utterly destroy the people living there
  • Not make covenants with them
  • Break down their altars/images
  • Not marry them or allow their children to marry them

However, after entering the promised land, the people did not heed God’s commandments. Because of this, God did not drive out their enemies but left them in place to be a thorn and snare to Israel. [4]

As such, there was a period of anarchy. During this time “every man did what was right in his own eyes” [5] and sin and injustice was rampant throughout the land. Once in a while, the people would cry out to God and He would raise up a judge (such as Gideon and Samson), that He would use to temporarily deliver the people from their enemies. But they would return to their wicked ways. During this time, “the word of the Lord was rare and there was no widespread revelation”. [6]

 

Monarchy

The judge/prophet, Samuel, was the bridge between the period of the judges and the establishment of the monarchy. [7] In fact, Samuel anointed the first [8] and second [9] kings of Israel (Saul and David respectively). God would have established Saul and his descendants to rule Israel forever, but due to his disobedience and unlawful sacrifice, the kingdom was given to David instead. [10]

 

Scripture References:

  1. Genesis 17:1-16
  2. Exodus 13:21-22
  3. Exodus 34:10-17
  4. Judges 2:1-4
  5. Judges 17:6
  6. 1 Samuel 3:1
  7. 1 Samuel 8:1-9
  8. 1 Samuel 9:27-10:1
  9. 1 Samuel 16:11-13
  10. 1 Samuel 13:13-14

 

Other References