October 18, 2020
Joshua 9: 1-2
“As soon as all the kings who were beyond the Jordan in the hill country and in the lowland all along the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, heard of this, they gathered together as one to fight against Joshua and Israel.”
You might be wondering why all these enemies came together, why they believed they could stand against the God of Israel. Could it be that they had heard how the army of Ai and its king had defeated Israel? Could the sins of Achan have far-reaching consequences? We do not know from these verses, but something makes them believe they could stand unified against the God of Israel.
Deception of Gibeon
Is there a lesson in what Gibeon did using deception on the leaders of Israel, should they have not consulted God before making any promise? If you answer yes, do you always do so? You and I have a Bible, and maybe many translations, do you understand the number of times we are told in Scripture that Satan is a liar and deceiver? Not once not twice, but 4,123 Satan, a deceiver! These people who were in captivity for 400 years did not have the Bible with the many instructions, but they did have the Law of Moses, and Joshua who had learned to seek God's guidance was taken in by these people's deception.
Now we the people of I believe the greatest nations in the world today, are we not now taking the same role as the inhabitants of Gibeon? That is what this election is all about, life or death of a Country founded on the principle written in our Constitution and in the Bill of Rights. The amendments to our Constitution were as Thomas Jefferson so well put it a gift from God. To all the citizens, it did not happen overnight, but in God’s timing we became a Nation divided and thousands of men gave their lives in a war we now refer to as the Civil War. That all men no matter what color their skin is can be free. It even took longer for women to have the right to vote, but we got there.
At some point in the late fifties and sixties, we began to believe God was not all we needed, and the one who is a deceiver of the believers, did I tell you the Bible has warned us 4,123 times that our enemy the devil has plans for your life and mine, not for good, but to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus also has a plan to give you and me life, in the full, and yet many have rejected life, and have chosen death. You sinful people that go by the name Christian, who have voted for a party that promotes death, that promises the Government will take care of you and everyone will be a winner. Let me ask you a bunch of children, who were always getting trophies and being lied to that you were the best, how has life gone for you, let me answer not good because the world requires a person to compete and perform. And I know that Capitalism is not to your liking, but just wait till you get Communism and a dictator is not going to be to your liking.
What are you so willing to give up
Let me share four that I believe are important as many others who have stood and died for them.
Amendment 1 - Religion and Expression2
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment 2 - Bearing Arms
A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment 5 - Rights of Persons
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise, infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
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