Bro. Joshua Edwards | Dec. 22, 2021 | Josh. 1:1-9 | Download Audio | Youtube

In this message, we see the transition from Moses to Joshua finalized. Moses, the servant of the LORD, is now dead, but the program of the LORD is very much alive and ready to take the next steps in the reclaiming of His land from the Adversary. Accordingly the LORD issues commandment to Joshua to arise, pass over Jordan and go in to possess the land promised to Israel's fathers. With the assurance of the LORD's presence and good success in the conquest of the land, Joshua prepares the people to function as the army of the living God, the Lord of all the earth, and advance the LORD's cause in the earth. We survey Israel's entrance into Canaan, the subsequent conquest and the many battles that Joshua leads and the division of the land by lot to Israel's tribes.

Bro. Joshua Edwards | Dec. 29, 2021 | Josh. 23:1-16; 24:1-31 | Download Audio | Youtube

In this message, we examine Joshua's last charge and counsels to the nation Israel. Per the LORD's prescribed method of conquest "by little and little", Joshua and his generation had done "very courageously" in following the LORD, but there still remained very much land to be possessed by the next generation in Israel. This was by design and according to all that the LORD had said, however, because of the law contract, the following generations must also whole-heartedly serve the LORD according to the law if they wished to enjoy the same prosperity and successes of Joshua's generation. By the end of Joshua's lifetime, he perceives an insincere heart in the people toward the LORD and cautions them against serving the other gods that had crept in among them. In his last charge, Joshua exhorts the people to put away their strange gods, go wholly after the LORD and do all that Moses commanded that they and their children might also make their way prosperous and have good success in the land.

Bro. Joshua Edwards | Jan. 5, 2022 | Judg. 1:1-36; 2:1-19; 3:5-7 | Download Audio | Youtube

In this message, we further our study with a look at some fundamental failures of Joshua's generation. The seeds of rebellion that Joshua saw and sought to address at the end of his life end up getting planted in the hearts of the next generation. The ungodly fruit that those seeds produced begin to show in their children as the nation continues its descent away from the Law and the LORD. Accordingly, Israel becomes ready for the reception of the first course of punishment as the LORD begins to respond to Israel's rebelliousness with the chastening that the covenant promised. Despite all this, the LORD's mercy and compassion is put on bright display as he begins to raise up the judges to deliver them.

Bro. Joshua Edwards | Jan. 12, 2022 | Lev. 26:16-17; Judg. 2:11-19; Ruth 1:1-22; 1 Sam. 7:15-17; Acts 13:20 | Download Audio | Youtube

In this message, we begin to look at the period of the judges in Israel and the characteristics of the time. As we match up the biblical history of this period with the clear statements contained in the law, we find that the first course of punishment is present in Israel during this time. Using several example passages from both Judges and Ruth, we begin to see these things taking place in Israel and understand why it is all happening at this time. There are many details of the first course of punishment in the days when the judges ruled, and with this message and the next, we seek to gain a fundamental appreciation and recognition of the events of this time.

Bro. Joshua Edwards | Jan. 19, 2022 | Lev. 26:14-17; 1 Sam. 1:1-19; 2:12-17; 27-34; 4:2-3, 10 | Download Audio | Youtube

In this message, we continue looking at the issues of the first course of punishment as found in the days when the judges ruled in Israel. The first half of the message focuses on a few of the first course issues that can be observed in 1 Samuel 1-15. The issues surrounding Israel's continued oppression by their enemies along with individual instances of sorrow of heart are examined. Finally, after concluding a brief survey of these issues, we turn our attention to look at the designed impact and outcome that these chastisements were designed to produce in Israel and look for answers as to how, in fact, Israel chose to respond. Will the nation begin to amend her ways or continue down the pathway of idolatrous corruption like all the nations? Study with us to learn more about these topics.

Bro. Joshua Edwards | Jan. 26, 2022 | Exo. 19:3-8; 1 Sam. 2:12-17; 22-25 | Download Audio | Youtube

In this message, we begin to examine the capstone issues of corruption that blossomed and matured throughout the first course of punishment. Two very fundamental issues comprised what Israel was called to be in the land as the LORD's own peculiar treasure: a kingdom of priests and an holy nation. This they said they would be and, by faithful obedience to the voice of the LORD, would manifest their own natural fitness for such a calling in the LORD's repossession campaign on earth. However, under the law in the land, Israel proves themselves to be something else entirely. Rather than a kingdom of priests and an holy nation, Israel's performance devolved into the corruption and perversion of these core issues of their identity. The focus of this message is on the perversion of the priesthood in the service and worship of the LORD under the Levitical order. The next will focus on their separateness as a holy nation. Study with us as we delve into these truths of God's word!

Bro. Joshua Edwards | Feb. 2, 2022 | 1 Sam. 1:19-28; 2:11-26; 3:19-21; 7:1-17; 8:1-10 | Download Audio | Youtube

In this message, we continue to examine the capstone issues of the first course of punishment, and Israel's corruption with respect to the fundamental matters of their national calling. This study focuses on the second of the two issues with a look at the rise and ministry of Samuel as well as Israel's eventual rejection of their "holy nation" status unto the LORD. This they do by demanding a king that they might, in turn, be like all the nations. Once again, this perversion not only rejects their peculiarity unto Jehovah in connection with His purpose on earth, but also embraces the Adversary and his agenda for the thwarting of God's purpose. In this message we survey the details of these matters and provide the setup for the LORD's next move.