Crumbly Bread

This passage came into my mind when thinking about the fall out of the situation with the fake pastor in Australia and the whole Bentley saga:

" 8 "We are your servants," they said to Joshua.
But Joshua asked, "Who are you and where do you come from?"

9 They answered: "Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard reports of him: all that he did in Egypt, 10 and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth. 11 And our elders and all those living in our country said to us, 'Take provisions for your journey; go and meet them and say to them, "We are your servants; make a treaty with us." ' 12 This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and moldy it is. 13 And these wineskins that we filled were new, but see how cracked they are. And our clothes and sandals are worn out by the very long journey."

14 The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD. 15 Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath.

16 Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living near them. 17 So the Israelites set out and on the third day came to their cities: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath Jearim. 18 But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel.
The whole assembly grumbled against the leaders, 19 but all the leaders answered, "We have given them our oath by the LORD, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now. 20 This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them." 21 They continued, "Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the entire community." So the leaders' promise to them was kept."

Joshua 9v8-21.

What really frustrated me about the article about the Australian pastor was that Hillsong church was 'shocked', but only by the news, not at their own lack of discernment.

The same has happened with the Todd Bentley. A pro-Lakeland church near me in the UK sent out a response to the Bentley situation which stated:

"I think it is very important at this time that those watching - especially Christian people - keep a proper perspective on this tragic situation. The most important thing to say is that Todd's marital difficulties in no way undermine the integrity of the outpouring of the Spirit at Lakeland, nor the salvations and countless healing miracles that have happened there and in many other places since April of this year. God uses imperfect vessels..."

The pastor then goes on to explain how a woman got saved at the 'Firestorm' meetings they held in response to the Lakeland meetings - thus proving it all as still from God.

They went and "tasted" (experienced) what Lakeland was offering, but maybe, as this passage says "Did not enquire of the LORD".

Hillsong are still selling the CD with the track on it, no doubt with the video of the pastor singing it with an oxygen tube on the DVD. The exposure of these things seems to change nothing.

I was speaking to a girl I know who was planning to go to Tood Bentley's Ministry's Bible school who messaged me to let me know she was still going. Previously she'd told me that Bentley was in a higher spiritual realm to me, and that's why my interpretation of Scripture was so different to his. I asked her if she was going to re-consider Bentley's "higher spiritual realm" before our God in prayer, her answer "no?! Why would I?!?!?"

Maybe this passage from Joshua explains it all:

"We have given them our oath by the LORD, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now."

By contrast, how did Peter respond to Ananais and Saphira trying to trick the Church?:

"But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2and with his wife’s knowledge(A) he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and(B) laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3But Peter said, "Ananias, why has(C) Satan filled your heart to lie(D) to the Holy Spirit and(E) to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but(F) to God." 5When Ananias heard these words, he(G) fell down and breathed his last. And(H) great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6The young men rose and(I) wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

7After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8And Peter said to her, "Tell me whether you[a] sold the land for so much." And she said, "Yes, for so much." 9But Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together(J) to test(K) the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11And(L) great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things."

Reply Crumbly Bread

As new born Christian soldiers having crossed over our Jordan we too have to engage in spiritual warfare as did Joshua and those that followed him.

At Shittim when he assumed the command (Josh. 1:1); and crossing the Jordan, they encamped at Gilgal, where, having circumcised the people, he kept the Passover, and was visited by the Captain of the Lord's host, who spoke to him encouraging words (1:1-9). Now began the wars of conquest which Joshua carried on for many years, the record of which is in the book which bears his name.

Six nations and thirty-one kings were conquered by him (Josh. 11:18-23; 12:24). Having thus subdued the Canaanites, Joshua divided the land among the tribes, Timnath-serah in Mount Ephraim being assigned to himself as his own inheritance.

We to have a High Priest and He like Joshua leads us and as soon as we are set free from the world Sihon and Og’s people turn up in our lives and as babes we sign treaties with them and they have nothing to offer but divert us from the prize. Look at modern Israel today an embattled country filled with the peoples God told them to conquer and drive out of their promise land.

[color=009900]1 Corinthians 10[/color]
[color=009900]11. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.[/color]

Eddie