RUSSELL SANDERS

10-17-2025

THE LIFE OF JOSHUA – LESSON 4

HIS HUNGER FOR GOD

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In yesterday’s lesson 3 we saw Moses spend 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai where God gave him all the commandments, law, and tabernacle instructions. This was 40 days in the glory cloud of Jehovah. Only Joshua was with Moses and experienced the very presence of God. 

As they descended at the end of the 40 days, they heard a great noise in the camp. Joshua heard it initially and thought it was a battle. As they came near it proved to be a merry celebration around a pagan gold calf which was a representation of the Egyptian’s sacred Apis bull god. Moses was so angry that he smashed the stone tablets bearing the Ten Commandments.

This incident resulted in three thousand men being executed. Afterwards Moses pled for God to forgive them. He then called for the people to consecrate themselves unto Jehovah.

After a while Moses pitched the tabernacle a short ways outside the camp and everyone who wished to seek the LORD went out to it. Then Moses went out to the tabernacle. Everyone stood at his tent door to watch him as he and Joshua went into the tabernacle. A pillar of cloud descended as God talked face to face with Moses.

When Moses left the tabernacle, Joshua remained behind to soak up more of the glory of God. His 40-day-experience on the mountain had made him hungry for more of God. He just wanted to dwell in God’s presence as long as he could. He was dwelling as it says in Psalm 91:1, “in the secret place of the Most High.” We also should dwell in that place of intimacy with God.

HELEN SANDERS

10-17-2025

THE SEED PART 19

THE PROMISED SEED BRINGS FORTH FRUIT

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Jesus had risen from the dead, and the lives of the disciples had drastically changed. They had not believed it could happen, but it did. Jesus, the Promised Seed, could not be held in the grave because Satan had no legal right to keep him there. He was without sin. He bore your sin and mine that we could be saved and live with him eternally.

For forty days Jesus was seen, and he gave instructions to his disciples. In Matthew 28:18-20 it says, “And Jesus came and spake unto them [the eleven], saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. GO YE therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out, and 3,000 souls received the Holy Spirit. The promised seed now resided in them. A great revival took place, and a few days later another 5,000 souls received the Lord, and they also received the Promised Seed. The growth of the Promised Seed was increasing daily. 

Their conversion came with a price. The Jews hated those of “the way” of Jesus Christ and were determined to destroy them all.  The Romans tortured many. They often were imprisoned. All the disciples died the death of a martyr except John who lived to an old age.

The hatred of the Jew is the hatred of the Promised Seed. This hatred is still going on and will continue until the Lord comes back and judges the nations. 

The promised seed is available to everyone who confesses their sin and calls on the name of the Lord. 

Jesus was right when he said that the seed had to fall into the ground and die for it to bear fruit. Likewise, we must die to the flesh and come alive to the Spirit of God to be the witness that Jesus has called us to be. We cannot do it in our own strength, but as Psalms 60:12 says, “Through God [not ourselves] we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.” 

In closing this series remember Romans 8:31, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Keeping planting the seed of God [the Word] and watch God bring increase!