Since the end of January our congregation has been studying the Book of Joshua. This book is not merely an historical account of events that took place with our people well over Photo: Leaving Egypt 3000 years ago, but it also gives us a prophetic picture of God’s kingdom breaking into a world ruled by pagan idols. It shows us how God faithfully fulfilled His covenant promises made to the patriarchs for their descendants, the children of Israel. These promises are also “Yes and Amen” in Messiah Yeshua for all those who are grafted in and now share in the nourishing root of the natural olive tree (Rom. 11:17). After delivering the Israelites from the slavery of Egypt through Moses, God told the people of Israel they were to be His “treasured possession among all peoples” and “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Ex. 19:5-6). Now in preparation to lead the people into the Promised Land, Moses’ successor Joshua is visited by the divine Commander of the Lord’s army (Josh. 5:15).

The establishing of God’s kingdom was met with radical opposition from the earthly kings -- the city of Jericho being the first stronghold to be conquered. In the midst of this city of enemies, the God of Israel in His mercy reached out and saved the harlot sinner, Rahab, and all of her family who believed in the “God of the heavens above and of the earth beneath” making them members of His kingdom. She was not only accepted into God’s family, but was chosen to become the great-great grandmother of King David and a part of Yeshua’s family line (Matt. 1:5). Truly, “the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save” (Is. 59:1).

It was at the seventh trumpet call that the walls of Jericho fell, the opposition was broken, and the victory of His kingdom was made known to all the inhabitants of the land. Today we as a congregation are preparing ourselves to enter into the promises God has for us in this new season. Before celebrating Purim earlier this month, like Esther who was facing incredible challenges in her days, we too set our hearts to seek God’s face and His leading during three days of fasting and prayer. As our leadership team was worshipping and praying together during the fast, one of our team had a vision of a glass ceiling suddenly shattering, as a breakthrough into the heavens, releasing an outpouring of His Spirit and provision.

As we soon approach the Eve of Passover, we continue to pray that the God of Israel, who led His people from the bondage in Egypt and brought them to the Promised Land will once again stretch out His hand to save His people in our days from the bondage of sin and grant to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them we may become “partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world” (2 Peter 1:4).

-- Vladimir Tsapar