21 - Missions suffer under sin (1)1 … when the Gibeonites heard what Joshua had done to Jericho … they resorted to a ruse … ‘We have come from a distant

21 - Missions suffer under sin (1)21 - Missions suffer under sin (1) 11

… … when the Gibeonites heard what Joshua when the Gibeonites heard what Joshua had done to Jericho … they resorted to a had done to Jericho … they resorted to a ruse … ‘We have come from a ruse … ‘We have come from a distantdistant country; make a treaty with us.’ … The country; make a treaty with us.’ … The men of Israel … men of Israel … did not enquire of the Lorddid not enquire of the Lord … after they made the treaty with the … after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were were neighborsneighbors … (Josh. 9:3,4,614,16). … (Josh. 9:3,4,614,16).


No Anakites were left in Israelite territory; No Anakites were left in Israelite territory; onlyonly inin Gaza, Gaza, GathGath and Ashdod did any and Ashdod did any survive (Josh. 11:22).survive (Josh. 11:22).

… … there are still very large areas of land to there are still very large areas of land to be taken … this is the land that remains: all be taken … this is the land that remains: all the regions of the … the regions of the … GeshuritesGeshurites … of the … of the SidoniansSidonians … (Josh. 13:1,2,4). … (Josh. 13:1,2,4).

Judah could not dislodge the Jebusites who Judah could not dislodge the Jebusites who were living in Jerusalem (Josh. 15:63).were living in Jerusalem (Josh. 15:63).


‘‘That man is our close relative; he is one of That man is our close relative; he is one of our kinsman-redeemers’ … Then Boaz our kinsman-redeemers’ … Then Boaz announced to the elders, … ‘Today you are announced to the elders, … ‘Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech … I have also the property of Elimelech … I have also acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife’ … (Ruth 2:20; 4:9,10).widow, as my wife’ … (Ruth 2:20; 4:9,10).


Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the lord and served the Baals. They forsook the lord and served the Baals. They forsook the Lord … They followed and worshiped Lord … They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them … various gods of the peoples around them …

In his anger against Israel the Lord handed In his anger against Israel the Lord handed them over to raiders who plundered them. them over to raiders who plundered them. He sold them to their enemies all around … He sold them to their enemies all around … (Judg. 2:11,12,14).(Judg. 2:11,12,14).


Then the Lord raised up judges who saved Then the Lord raised up judges who saved them out of the hands of these raiders. Yet them out of the hands of these raiders. Yet they would not listen to their judges but they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and prostituted themselves to other gods and worshipped them (Judg. 2:16,17).worshipped them (Judg. 2:16,17).


It is more bitter for me than for you, It is more bitter for me than for you, because because the Lord’s hand has gone out the Lord’s hand has gone out against me!against me! … ‘Look,’ said Naomi, ‘your … ‘Look,’ said Naomi, ‘your sister-in-law is sister-in-law is going back to her people and going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.’her gods. Go back with her.’ But Ruth But Ruth replied … ‘Your people will be my people replied … ‘Your people will be my people and your God my God’ (Ruth 1:13,15,16).and your God my God’ (Ruth 1:13,15,16).


Discussion & dialogueDiscussion & dialogue Discuss: without what ingredient will world missions Discuss: without what ingredient will world missions fail?fail?

Explain the idea of ‘anti-evangelism’ – or ‘anti-Explain the idea of ‘anti-evangelism’ – or ‘anti-missions’ – from Naomi’s lifemissions’ – from Naomi’s life

Explain how the theme of ‘the nations’ occurs in both Explain how the theme of ‘the nations’ occurs in both the books of Ruth and Estherthe books of Ruth and Esther

Show how themes seven and eight feature in the Show how themes seven and eight feature in the stories of the Judgesstories of the Judges

22 - Two judges and two kings (1)22 - Two judges and two kings (1) 88

… … Manoah … had a wife who was … Manoah … had a wife who was … childless.childless. The … Lord appeared to her and The … Lord appeared to her and said, ‘… you are going to … have a said, ‘… you are going to … have a sonson … he … he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the will begin the deliverance of Israel from the … Philistines … The woman gave birth to a … Philistines … The woman gave birth to a son and named him son and named him SamsonSamson (Judg. (Judg. 13:2,3,5,24).13:2,3,5,24).


… … Elkanah … had two wives, Hannah and Elkanah … had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah; … Peninnah had children, but Peninnah; … Peninnah had children, but Hannah had noneHannah had none … Hannah … prayed … … Hannah … prayed … ‘O Lord … if you will only … not forget your ‘O Lord … if you will only … not forget your servant but give her a servant but give her a son,son, then I will give then I will give him to the Lord …’ … Hannah … gave birth him to the Lord …’ … Hannah … gave birth to a son. She named him to a son. She named him SamuelSamuel (1 Sam. (1 Sam. 1:1,2,10,11,20).1:1,2,10,11,20).


Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul’s head … saying, ‘Has not the Lord on Saul’s head … saying, ‘Has not the Lord anointed you leader over his inheritance?’ (1 anointed you leader over his inheritance?’ (1 Sam. 10:1).Sam. 10:1).

‘‘You have acted foolishly,’ Samuel said. ‘You You have acted foolishly,’ Samuel said. ‘You have not kept the command the Lord … gave have not kept the command the Lord … gave you; if you had he would have established your you; if you had he would have established your kingdom … for all time. But now your kingdom kingdom … for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people …’ (1 Sam. 13:13,14).of his people …’ (1 Sam. 13:13,14).


You have delivered me from the attacks of You have delivered me from the attacks of my people; you have preserved me as the my people; you have preserved me as the head of nations.head of nations. People I did not know are People I did not know are subject to me, and foreigners come cringing subject to me, and foreigners come cringing to me; as soon as they hear me, they obey me to me; as soon as they hear me, they obey me (2 Sam. 22:44,45).(2 Sam. 22:44,45).

23 - God's heart for the nations (1)23 - God's heart for the nations (1) 1212

All the ends of the earthAll the ends of the earth will remember and will remember and turn to the Lord, and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the all the families of the nationsnations will bow down before him, for will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the the nationsnations … future … future generationsgenerations will be told will be told about the Lord. They will about the Lord. They will proclaim his proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unbornrighteousness to a people yet unborn … … (22:27,28,30,31).(22:27,28,30,31).

The The earthearth is the Lord’s and is the Lord’s and everythingeverything in it, the in it, the worldworld,, and and all who live in itall who live in it (24:1). (24:1).


Let Let all the earthall the earth fear the Lord; let fear the Lord; let all the all the people of the worldpeople of the world revere him (33:8). revere him (33:8).

I will perpetuate your memory through I will perpetuate your memory through all all generations;generations; therefore therefore the nationsthe nations will praise will praise you for ever and ever (45:17).you for ever and ever (45:17).


Clap your hands, Clap your hands, all you nations;all you nations; shout to God shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the Lord with cries of joy. How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over Most High, the great King over all the earth!all the earth! For God is the King of For God is the King of all the earth;all the earth; … God … God reigns over reigns over the nationsthe nations … for … for the kings of the the kings of the earth belong to Godearth belong to God … (47:1,2,7-9). … (47:1,2,7-9).

Like your name, O God, your praise reaches Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to to the ends of the earththe ends of the earth (48:10a). (48:10a).


Hear this, Hear this, all you peoples;all you peoples; listen, listen, all who live in all who live in this world,this world, both low both low andand high, rich high, rich andand poor poor alike (49:1,2).alike (49:1,2).

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over glory be over all the earth.all the earth. I will praise you, O I will praise you, O Lord, Lord, among the nations;among the nations; I will sing of you I will sing of you among the peoplesamong the peoples (57:5,9). (57:5,9).


GodGod has spoken … ‘Gilead is has spoken … ‘Gilead is mine,mine, and and Manasseh is Manasseh is mine;mine; Ephraim is Ephraim is mymy helmet, helmet, Judah is Judah is mymy scepter, Moab is scepter, Moab is mymy washbasin, washbasin, upon Edom I toss upon Edom I toss mymy sandal; over Philistia sandal; over Philistia II shout in triumph’ (60:6-8; 108:8,9).shout in triumph’ (60:6-8; 108:8,9).

O God our Savior, the hope of O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of all the ends of the earththe earth and of the and of the farthest seasfarthest seas … … those living those living far awayfar away fear your wonders (65:5,8). fear your wonders (65:5,8).


… … that your ways may be known that your ways may be known on earth,on earth, your salvation among your salvation among all nations.all nations. May May the the peoplespeoples praise you, O God; may praise you, O God; may all the peoplesall the peoples praise you. May praise you. May the nationsthe nations be glad and sing be glad and sing for joy, for you rule for joy, for you rule the peoplesthe peoples justly and justly and guide guide the nations of the earth.the nations of the earth. May May the peoplesthe peoples praise you, O God; may praise you, O God; may all the peoplesall the peoples praise praise you (67:2-5).you (67:2-5).

Envoys will come from Envoys will come from Egypt;Egypt; CushCush will will submit herself to God. Sing to God, O submit herself to God. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earthkingdoms of the earth (68:31,32). (68:31,32).


He will rule He will rule from sea to seafrom sea to sea … to the … to the ends of ends of the earth.the earth. The The desert tribesdesert tribes will bow before him will bow before him … the … the kings of Tarshiskings of Tarshis … will bring tribute to … will bring tribute to him; the him; the kings of Sheba and Sebakings of Sheba and Seba will present will present him gifts. him gifts. All kingsAll kings will bow down … will bow down … all all nationsnations will serve him … will serve him … All nationsAll nations will be will be blessed through him … may the blessed through him … may the whole earthwhole earth be be filled with his glory (72:8-11,17,19).filled with his glory (72:8-11,17,19).

… … you display your power you display your power among the peoplesamong the peoples (77:14).(77:14).


Why should the Why should the nationsnations say, ‘Where is their say, ‘Where is their God?’ Before our eyes, make known among God?’ Before our eyes, make known among the the nationsnations that you avenge the outpoured that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants (79:10).blood of your servants (79:10).

Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the all the nationsnations are your inheritance (82:8). are your inheritance (82:8).

All the nationsAll the nations you have made will come and you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; worship before you, O Lord; theythey will bring will bring glory to your name (86:9).glory to your name (86:9).


Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earthall the earth … Declare his glory among … Declare his glory among the the nations,nations, his marvelous deeds among his marvelous deeds among all peoplesall peoples (96:1,3).(96:1,3).

The Lord reigns, let The Lord reigns, let the earththe earth be glad; let the be glad; let the distant shoresdistant shores rejoice. For you, O Lord, are the rejoice. For you, O Lord, are the Most High over Most High over all the earth;all the earth; you are exalted far you are exalted far above all gods (97:1,9).above all gods (97:1,9).

The Lord has made his salvation known and The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to revealed his righteousness to the nationsthe nations (98:2). (98:2).


Great is the Lord in Zion; he is exalted over Great is the Lord in Zion; he is exalted over all all the nationsthe nations (99:2). (99:2).

Shout for joy to the Lord, Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earthall the earth (100:1). (100:1).

The The nationsnations will fear the name of the Lord, will fear the name of the Lord, all all the kings of the earththe kings of the earth will revere your glory. So will revere your glory. So the name of the Lord will be declared in Zion the name of the Lord will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem when and his praise in Jerusalem when the peoples the peoples and the kingdomsand the kingdoms assemble to worship the Lord assemble to worship the Lord (102:15,21,22).(102:15,21,22).


… … makemake known among the nationsknown among the nations what he has what he has done (105:1).done (105:1).

… … those he gathered from those he gathered from the lands,the lands, from from easteast and and west,west, from from northnorth and and southsouth (107:3). (107:3).

I will praise you, O Lord, among I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;the nations; I I will sing of you among will sing of you among the peoplesthe peoples (108:3). (108:3).


He has shown his people the power of his He has shown his people the power of his works, works, givinggiving them the lands of other nationsthem the lands of other nations (111:6).(111:6).

From the From the risingrising of the sun to the place where it of the sun to the place where it sets,sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. The the name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is exalted over Lord is exalted over all the nationsall the nations (113:3,4). (113:3,4).

Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, all you nations;all you nations; extol him, extol him, all all you peoplesyou peoples (117:1). (117:1).


Then it was said among Then it was said among the nations,the nations, ‘the Lord ‘the Lord has done great things has done great things for them’for them’ ( (126:2).126:2).

May May all the kings of the earthall the kings of the earth praise you, O praise you, O Lord, when Lord, when theythey hear the words of your hear the words of your mouth. May mouth. May theythey sing of the ways of the Lord sing of the ways of the Lord (138:4,5).(138:4,5).

… … so that so that all menall men may know of your mighty may know of your mighty acts (145:12).acts (145:12).


Praise the Lord from the earth … Praise the Lord from the earth … kings of the kings of the earthearth and and all nations,all nations, you princes and rulers you princes and rulers on on earthearth (148:7,11). (148:7,11).

Let Let everything that has breatheverything that has breath praise the Lord praise the Lord (150:6).(150:6).

24 - Dangers of success (1)24 - Dangers of success (1) 2626

The king must The king must not … take many wives,not … take many wives, or his or his heart will be led astray (Deut. 17:16,17).heart will be led astray (Deut. 17:16,17).

King Solomon … King Solomon … loved many foreign womenloved many foreign women … … Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. They were from nations about and Hittites. They were from nations about which the Lord had told …’You must which the Lord had told …’You must not not intermarryintermarry with them, because they will surely with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.’ turn your hearts after their gods.’ Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love (1 Kings 11:1,2).(1 Kings 11:1,2).


Then Solomon said … ‘As for the Then Solomon said … ‘As for the foreignerforeigner who … has come from a who … has come from a distant landdistant land because because of your name – for men will hear of your great of your name – for men will hear of your great name … - when he … prays towards this name … - when he … prays towards this temple, then hear from heaven … and do temple, then hear from heaven … and do whatever the foreigner asks of you, whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear youand fear you (1 Kings 8:12,41-43). (1 Kings 8:12,41-43).


As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God … He fully devoted to the Lord his God … He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech, the detestable god of Sidonians, and Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the eyes the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he … built a high place for of the Lord; he … built a high place for Chemosh … and for Molech … He did the Chemosh … and for Molech … He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods (1 incense and offered sacrifices to their gods (1 Kings 11:4-8).Kings 11:4-8).


Discussion & dialogueDiscussion & dialogue

Discuss why Solomon was the ‘son of promise’ for Discuss why Solomon was the ‘son of promise’ for his generationhis generation

Which other Which other sevenseven of the ten themes reoccur in this of the ten themes reoccur in this chapter? If time allows, discuss howchapter? If time allows, discuss how

25 - Israel's demise (1)25 - Israel's demise (1) 3030

Jeroboam built shrines on high places and Jeroboam built shrines on high places and appointed priests from all sorts of people, even appointed priests from all sorts of people, even though they were not Levites … sacrificing to though they were not Levites … sacrificing to the calves he had made (1 Kings 12:31,32).the calves he had made (1 Kings 12:31,32).

So the Lord was very angry with Israel and So the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. Only the removed them from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left, and even Judah did not tribe of Judah was left, and even Judah did not keep the commands of the Lord their God (2 keep the commands of the Lord their God (2 Kings 17:18,19).Kings 17:18,19).


But they [the Judeans] mocked God’s But they [the Judeans] mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the Lord was his prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against his people and there was no aroused against his people and there was no remedy. He brought up … the king of the remedy. He brought up … the king of the Babylonians … They set fire to God’s temple Babylonians … They set fire to God’s temple and broke down the wall of Jerusalem … He and broke down the wall of Jerusalem … He carried into exile to Babylon the remnant … carried into exile to Babylon the remnant … until the seventy years were completed (2 until the seventy years were completed (2 Chron. 36:15-17,19-21).Chron. 36:15-17,19-21).


Discussion & dialogueDiscussion & dialogue

Discuss with your study group the difference between Discuss with your study group the difference between ‘maintenance‘maintenance ministry’ and ministry’ and ‘outreach‘outreach ministry’. Which ministry’. Which would you consider as would you consider as missionarymissionary and which as and which as pastoral?pastoral?

Which Which sixsix of the ten themes reoccur in this chapter, of the ten themes reoccur in this chapter, and how?and how?

Documents

21 - Missions suffer under sin (1)1 … when the Gibeonites heard what Joshua had done to Jericho … they resorted to a ruse … ‘We have come from a distant