Prophecies Fulfilled: Joshua to Chronicles

By Dennis Herman

Having gone through a number of studies on the prophecies Jesus fulfilled in the first book, patterns emerged and lessons built one upon another. Simple study processes such as searching New Testament texts to find the fulfillment of a prophecy are covered, explained, and practiced in this book. Prophecies introduce and identify symbols. New Testament texts explain the spiritual meaning of each symbol. Every series of lessons adds new study techniques taught by scripture. Lessons show how study involves more than comparing a few texts to reveal a lesson. Scripture shows how entire chapters can be compared. Learn simple rules of context to match parallel chapters to unlocked details in messages not previously seen. These lessons proved so deep it left me in awe as I saw details in the Bible only God could have placed there. This book explains the process showing how the Bible reveals its own study rules in plain simple English everyone should be able to apply to their own studies.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Dec 4, 2013
• ISBN: 9781304683632

Book preview

Prophecies Fulfilled: Joshua to Chronicles

Prophecies Fulfilled: Joshua to Chronicles

Written by Dennis Herman

Copyright © 2013 Dennis Herman

All rights reserved

ISBN 978-1-304-68363-2

Content ID: 14288825

Published by: Lulu.com

Prophecies Fulfilled Genesis to Deuterononmy by Dennis Herman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

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Bibles:

NLTse New Living. Translation®. SECOND EDITION Tyndale House Publishers, Inc

KJV King James Version

MKJV Modern King James Version Sovereign Grace Publishers

GNB Good News Bible Thomas Nelson Publishers

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) (NLTse) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scriptures marked GNB are taken from the GOOD NEWS BIBLE (GNB): Scriptures taken

from the Good News Bible © 1994 published by the Bible Societies/HarperCollins Publishers

Ltd UK, Good News Bible© American Bible Society 1966, 1971, 1976, 1992. Used with

permission.

Introduction

Having gone through a number of studies on the prophecies Jesus fulfilled in the first book, patterns begin to emerge and lessons built one upon another. Simple study processes such as searching New Testament texts to find the fulfillment of a prophecy were covered, explained, and practiced. Prophecies introduced and identified symbols. New Testament texts explained the spiritual meaning of each symbol. Every series of lessons added new study techniques taught by scripture. Later lessons showed how study involved more than comparing a few texts to reveal a lesson. Scripture showed how entire chapters can be compared. Using the simple rules of context matched up parallel chapters that unlocked details in messages not previously seen. The lessons proved so deep it left me in awe as I saw details in the Bible only God could have placed there.

This book is the second in a series on the prophecies Jesus fulfilled. I never suspected I would find the kind of details God's Spirit slowly brought to the surface. I learned how to conduct simple word studies about thirty years ago. After years of using the simple process of comparing texts to unlock the spiritual meanings of key words, I happened to meet Dr. Lee Gugliotto at one of his seminars. Dr. Lee introduced me to Inductive Studies which opened up the Bible to me. For the past couple of years I've been studying with Dr. Lee on his online courses. I was surprised the simple process he uses to teach simple Bible Study techniques. I was more surprised to find those same rules recorded in the Bible. Basic Bible Study methods first showed up while writing a book on Mark. Between chapters four and eight, Jesus introduced the simple concepts of repetition and looking back to see established patterns. Jesus also taught His disciples to see the difference between this world and Heaven. There are a lot of influences we have to overcome before we can clearly hear and see messages and guidance from Heaven. Once this is achieved, God's voice becomes clear through His Word and prayer. Listening in prayer is another feature we need to practice. God's Spirit is alive, well, and reaching out to this world everyday. This book and others like it are evidence God is announcing something is about to happen. The fact remains, Satan is trying harder than ever before to take God's Word away from as many as he can. We called it the dark ages when the established church tried to lock away God's Word. They lusted after control. They were controlled by greed. They feared the effects God's Spirit would have on society if His Word was available to common people. They knew they would loose control and their income. God raised up faithful followers to bring God's Word to the world.

Today we have almost as many Bibles as people in this world. There must be close to a hundred English translations, and who knows how many languages the Bible has been translated into. We have printed Bibles, programs for computers and laptops, and Bibles for smart phones. But how many people are reading them? I have to share this. I've applied for grants for Dr. Lee's online ministry that teaches how to study your Bible to draw into a closer relationship with God. After explaining Dr. Lee's ministry in detail to nearly a hundred Christian grant societies, I was surprised to find little or no interest. Why? Are institutions afraid of loosing funds when common people learn to study the Bible? Are churches afraid of loosing control? Why do we see the same fears experienced during the dark ages and recorded in the Bible describing the religious leaders who put Jesus on the cross? Satan is a crafty agent – to put Bibles in so many hands and convince them a relationship with God's Word and Spirit is a blessing reserved for a few highly trained individuals. The fact of the matter is, ask one of these professional religious officials to show you how to study God's Word. What do you think their answer will be? Do they know the steps? Can they show you study rules in the Bible? This book can, if your willing. Learn a few simple study methods, develop a closer relationship with God's Spirit and let our Infinite God reveal the wonders of His Word to you.

Chapter 1

Joshua 22:5  Obey All the Commands

Ruth 4:17-22 Boaz the Father of Obed

Joshua 22:5  Obey All the Commands

Joshua 22:5 NLTse  But be very careful to obey all the commands and the instructions that Moses gave to you. Love the LORD your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul."

At first glance Joshua 22:5 appears to be a repeat of the same address Moses gave at the end of their journey. It turned out, that wasn't the end of their journey, but the beginning of a new phase containing a whole new set of lessons. The same is true in the sequence of the prophecies pointing to the Messiah. In Genesis to Deuteronomy, prophecies taught basic study lessons showing a number of methods to locate parallel texts. Once a basic understanding of Bible Study is achieved, God moved onto the next series of lessons introducing a number of symbols pointing to Jesus and His ministry on earth as well as Heaven. Once these have been studied and  their fulfillment explained by New Testament texts, the next logical series of lessons was introduced. Moses records a number of lessons focusing on the role of the priests and how they were to reflect the life of the Messiah. Once we have accumulated the proper knowledge to study scripture, learned a number of symbols pointing to Christ, reviewed responsibilities given to the priests, Moses added a number of prophecies revealing how the priests would treat the Messiah. God wanted us to see how mistakes the priests made will be repeated throughout history. The end of Moses' contribution to the Bible contains a number of prophecies teaching lessons on a deeper personal level. These prophecies use Israel and the religious leaders in both Moses' and Jesus' time as symbols pointing to later times in history, including our own. This prophecy picks up where Moses left off. One lesson learned from earlier prophecies shows us how important it is to look at surrounding texts. This prophecy is no different.

Joshua 22:1-9 NLTse  Then Joshua called together the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.  (2)  He told them, "You have done as Moses, the servant of the LORD, commanded you, and you have obeyed every order I have given you.  (3)  During all this time you have not deserted the other tribes. You have been careful to obey the commands of the LORD your God right up to the present day.  (4)  And now the LORD your God has given the other tribes rest, as he promised them. So go back home to the land that Moses, the servant of the LORD, gave you as your possession on the east side of the Jordan River.  (5)  But be very careful to obey all the commands and the instructions that Moses gave to you. Love the LORD your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul."  (6)  So Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went home.  (7)  Moses had given the land of Bashan, east of the Jordan River, to the half-tribe of Manasseh. (The other half of the tribe was given land west of the Jordan.) As Joshua sent them away and blessed them,  (8)  he said to them, "Go back to your homes with the great wealth you have taken from your enemies--the vast herds of livestock, the silver, gold, bronze, and iron, and the large supply of clothing. Share the plunder with your relatives."  (9)  So the men of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh left the rest of Israel at Shiloh in the land of Canaan. They started the journey back to their own land of Gilead, the territory that belonged to them according to the LORD's command through Moses.

Joshua addressing the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh is the first detail we notice. The texts also explains these tribes settled east side of the Jordan River. Notice how God draws attention to each of these details by repeating them. The question is why are these details so important and how do they apply to Jesus fulfilling prophecy? Looking at the key words we see obey is repeated a number of times. This shows the key thought is centered on obeying God's commandments. This helps us locate parallel texts in the Gospels. We have to find out how Jesus referred to these texts. Jesus addressed two people questioning Him about the commandments.

Mark 12:28-34 NLTse  One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"  (29)  Jesus replied, "The most important commandment is this: 'Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD.  (30)  And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.'  (31)  The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these.  (32)  The teacher of religious law replied, Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other.  (33)  And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law."  (34)  Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Matthew 19:16-26 NLTse  Someone came to Jesus with this question: Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?  (17)  Why ask me about what is good? Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. But to answer your question--if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.  (18)  Which ones?" the man asked. And Jesus replied: "'You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely.  (19)  Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.'  (20)  I've obeyed all these commandments, the young man replied. What else must I do?"  (21)  Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."  (22)  But when the young man heard this, he went away very sad, for he had many possessions.  (23)  Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  (24)  I'll say it again--it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!  (25)  The disciples were astounded. Then who in the world can be saved?" they asked.  (26)  Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible."

As we can see, Jesus had an answer for each individual This shows us there is no one answer that fits every situation and individual. We also see one person was touched by Jesus' answer, while the other left disappointed.

Now we have two sets of contrasting stories about God's commandments. Moses addressed  Israel, while Joshua addressed only the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Jesus addressed one man who accepted His answer, while the other walked away disappointed. How do we find the connection? One way is to look at the introduction and summary for the chapter. This is known as studying the context. Since we are using the introduction of Joshua 22 in the study, we need to look at the conclusion of chapter 21 to see how the author led into the subject.

Joshua 21:43-45 NLTse  So the LORD gave to Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there.  (44)  And the LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had solemnly promised their ancestors. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the LORD helped them conquer all their enemies.  (45)  Not a single one of all the good promises the LORD had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.

After many battles and conquests, the fight for the promised land seemed to be over. It all began at Jericho where God displayed His power. First God separated the waters of the Jordan river much like He did at the Red Sea when Israel left Egypt. The journey began and  ended by crossing a river on dry ground with water built up on both sides. Its one thing for God to stop the flow of a river at any location. Its quite another when God holds the water down stream in its present location. Why didn't God allow the water down stream to continue to flow? Next God brought down the walls of Jericho to show how He will be with Israel in all the coming battles. Now they finally have rest. After years of war this must have sounded like good news. Families were separated from their husbands and fathers. Many families lost their loved ones. Others prospered as treasures from the cities were captured and goods distributed. Many mistakes were made and lessons learned. Now it was time to rest and enjoy the land they fought for. Did they remember all the blessings God gave them? "The LORD your God will soon bring you into the land he swore to give you when he made a vow to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is a land with large, prosperous cities that you did not build. The houses will be richly stocked with goods you did not produce. You will draw water from cisterns you did not dig, and you will eat from vineyards and olive trees you did not plant. When you have eaten your fill in this land, be careful not to forget the LORD, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 6:10-12 NLTse).

At first glance, the summation of Joshua 22 seems to have little to do with the theme we are studying. We have to stick to proven Bible study rules to see what details the verses contain.

Joshua 22:28-34 NLTse  "If they say this, our descendants can reply, 'Look at this copy of the LORD's altar that our ancestors made. It is not for burnt offerings or sacrifices; it is a reminder of the relationship both of us have with the LORD.'  (29)  Far be it from us to rebel against the LORD or turn away from him by building our own altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings, or sacrifices. Only the altar of the LORD our God that stands in front of the Tabernacle may be used for that purpose."  (30)  When Phinehas the priest and the leaders of the community--the