The Journey of Israel - Part 14

Press on to Mount Zion

October 15, 2022

“that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and
increasing in the knowledge of God;”
Colossians 1:10 NKJV

1. To conclude the book of Joshua

a. Joshua was able to conquer 31 kings. Josh 12:9-24
b. However, under Joshua’s leadership, the children of Israel did not possess their full
inheritance. They were slack in possessing the land of Canaan. We can read this in Josh
13:1-2
“Now Joshua was old, advanced in years. And the LORD said to him: “You are old, advanced
in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed. This is the land that yet
remains: …all the territory of the Philistines and all that of the Geshurites,...””
Joshua 13:1-2 NKJV

“Matandang-matanda na noon si Josue. Sinabi sa kanya ni Yahweh: “Matandang-matanda ka

na ngunit malaki pang bahagi ng lupaing ito ang kailangan pang sakupin. Ito ang mga hindi pa
ninyo nasasakop: ang lupain ng mga Filisteo at ang lupain ng mga Gesureo, …”
Josue 13:1-2 RTPV05

c. Also in Josh 18: 2-3

“But there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes which had not yet received their
inheritance. Then Joshua said to the children of Israel: “How long will you neglect to go and
possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers has given you?”
Joshua 18:2-3 NKJV

“Pitong lipi ni Israel ang hindi pa tumatanggap ng kanilang kaparte sa lupain. Kaya sinabi sa
kanila ni Josue, “Kailan pa ninyo sasakupin ang lupaing ibinigay sa inyo ni Yahweh, ang Diyos
ng inyong mga ninuno?” Josue 18:2-3 RTPV05

d. The Israelites were satisfied to settle for partial victory. They did not deal with all the enemies
in their inheritance. They compromised with the enemy, made alliances with them, and were
content to co-exist with them in the land of their inheritance. This was their downfall.

Many Christians reach a certain plateau in their walk with the Lord, and they are content to
dwell there.
 - The Lord told Joshua to divide the land to the tribes who have not yet received their
inheritance.

e. Ending of Joshua.
“Now it came to pass after these things that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD,
died, being one hundred and ten years old…
Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived
Joshua, who had known all the works of the LORD which He had done for Israel.”
Joshua 24:29, 31 NKJV

“Lumipas ang sandaling panahon at ang lingkod ni Yahweh na si Josue, na anak ni Nun, ay
namatay sa gulang na 110 taon…
Naglingkod kay Yahweh ang sambayanang Israel habang nabubuhay si Josue. Kahit wala na
siya, nanatili pa rin silang tapat kay Yahweh habang nabubuhay ang mga pinunong nakasaksi
sa lahat ng mga ginawa ni Yahweh para sa Israel.”
Josue 24:29, 31 RTPV05

2. Book of Judges
a. The book of Judges covers a period in Israel’s history as an interim between the death of
Joshua and the lives of Samuel, Saul and David, a period of about 350 years.
b. The Lord raised up judges who served as military and tribal leaders in a time when Israel was
undergoing spiritual, social, and moral decline. God raised them up to deliver His people from
their enemies after they repented and returned to God. The judges possessed outstanding
qualities of leadership and accomplished great feats through God’s help and power.
13 judges are generally associated with the book, including Gideon, Samson, Deborah and
Barak, etc.
c. The book of Judges opens with an account of obeying the charge of Joshua. They began to
dispossess the enemies in the Promised Land but were unable to overcome all of them.
d. Judges 2:1-3. The Lord rebuked and warned the Israelites

(“Then the Angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said: “I led you up from
Egypt and brought you to the land of which I swore to your fathers; and I said, ‘I will never
break My covenant with you. And you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land;
you shall tear down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed My voice. Why have you done this?
Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be thorns in your side,
and their gods shall be a snare to you.’ ”” Judges 2:1-3 NKJV)
 “Mula sa Gilgal, nagpunta sa Boquim ang anghel ni Yahweh. Sinabi niya sa mga Israelita,
“Inilabas ko kayo sa Egipto at dinala sa lupain na aking ipinangako sa inyong mga ninuno.
Sinabi ko noon na hindi ako sisira sa ating kasunduan. Sinabi ko ring huwag kayong gagawa
ng kasunduan sa mga tagaroon, sa halip ay gibain ninyo ang kanilang mga altar. Ngunit ano
ang inyong ginawa? Hindi ninyo ako sinunod! Kaya ngayon, hindi ko sila paaalisin sa lupaing
pupuntahan ninyo. Magiging tinik sila sa inyong landas at ang mga diyus-diyosan nila ay
magiging mabigat na pagsubok sa inyo.”” Mga Hukom 2:1-3 RTPV05

- God rebuked the Israelites for compromising their enemies , instead of killing them.

“Thus the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the
Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And they took their daughters to be their wives, and
gave their daughters to their sons; and they served their gods.” Judges 3:5-6 NKJV

- One of the most important lessons that we have to learn in the Christian walk is to make right
alliances. We should learn and be warned by Ps 1:1

3. Three Capital Cities

After Israel crossed Jordan and entered the Promised Land, they had three capital cities: Shiloh,
Hebron, and Zion.

a. The first capital was Shiloh.

“Now the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up
the tabernacle of meeting there. And the land was subdued before them.” Joshua 18:1 NKJV

“Matapos nilang sakupin ang lupaing iyon, ang buong Israel ay nagtipon sa Shilo at itinayo
roon ang Toldang Tipanan.” Josue 18:1 RTPV05

- The tabernacle of Moses was located in Shiloh for several hundred years. In other words, the
literal presence of God was found there in Shiloh. It was also a place where important
decisions were made. It was there that the inheritance of the tribes of Israel was divided.
- Although the period of time the Israelites were in Shiloh was glorious at first, it ended in a time
of compromise, wrong alliances, and co-existence with the enemies. Many Israelites even
went into immorality and idolatry, especially during the time of Eli and his sons.
Hence the Glory departed from Shiloh.

b. The next capital was Hebron. When we talk of Hebron, we talk of David, the third major leader
of the journey, following Moses and Joshua.
 - David was anointed in Hebron and reigned there for seven-and-a-half years.
- Several biblical personalities were associated with Hebron beginning with Abraham who
moved there. Gen 13:18. The following were buried there aside from Abraham: Sarah, Isaac,
Jacob, Rebekah. Caleb inherited Hebron “ because he wholly followed the Lord God of
Israel”, Josh 14:13-14.
- Later, David gained the territory of Hebron. He was a man after God’s own heart, and his
heart was not divided.
- Hebron is a stepping stone to Zion, which is the final destination of the journey.

c. Zion, this should be the final destination of the Journey

- The Israelites under the leadership of Joshua was not able to conquer the Jebusites who
ruled over Jerusalem. It was David, the man after God’s own heart, who captured it and it
was called the City of David.

And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the
land, who spoke to David, saying, “You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will
repel you,” thinking, “David cannot come in here.” Nevertheless David took the stronghold of
Zion (that is, the City of David).” II Samuel 5:6-7 NKJV

- there is an earthly Jerusalem with a holy hill called Zion in the midst of her. This is the type of
the heavenly Jerusalem. Heb 12:22
 “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
to an innumerable company of angels,” Hebrews 12:22 NKJV

“Sa halip, ang nilapitan ninyo ay ang Bundok ng Zion at ang lunsod ng Diyos na buháy, ang
Jerusalem sa langit, na kinaroroonan ng di mabilang na anghel.” Mga Hebreo 12:22 RTPV05

- Zion is the dwelling place of God. Therefore it cannot be moved.

“Those who trust in the LORD Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides
forever.” Psalms 125:1 NKJV

“Parang Bundok Zion, ang taong kay Yahweh ay nagtitiwala, kailanma'y di makikilos, hindi
mauuga.” Mga Awit 125:1 RTPV05

- “For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: “This is My resting
place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.” Psalms 132:13-14 NKJV

“Pinili ni Yahweh, na maging tahanan ang Lunsod ng Zion. Ito ang wika niya: “Doon ako titira
panghabang panahon, ang paghahari ko'y magmumula roon.” Mga Awit 132:13-14 RTPV05

● According to Scriptures, Zion can be regarded as the following:

The City of David (2 Samuel 5:7, 1 Kings 8:1, 1 Chronicles 11:5)
The city of Jerusalem (Isaiah 33:20, Isaiah 40:9, Psalm 51:18)
The entire Jewish nation (Isaiah 33:14, Zechariah 9:13)
The Millennial Jerusalem (Joel 2:32, Isaiah 2:2-3)
The eternal or Heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22, Micah 4:7, Isaiah 35:10)

- Mount Zion, the city of the living God, spiritually is the Heaven that we know, the dwelling
place of God.
- Qualifications for dwelling in Zion.
Ps 15:1-5 and Ps 24:3-4 give 15 qualifications
 “LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks
uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not
backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against
his friend; In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the LORD;
He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; He who does not put out his money at
usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be
moved.” Psalms 15:1-5 NKJV

“O Yahweh, sino kayang makakapasok sa iyong Templo? Sinong karapat-dapat sumamba sa

iyong burol na sagrado? Ang taong masunurin sa iyo sa lahat ng bagay, at laging gumagawa
ayon sa katuwiran, mga salita'y bukal sa loob at pawang katotohanan, at ang kapwa'y hindi
niya sisiraan. Di siya gumagawa ng masama sa kanyang kaibigan, tungkol sa kapwa'y di
nagkakalat ng kasinungalingan. Ang itinakwil ng Diyos ay di niya pinapakisamahan, mga may
takot kay Yahweh, kanyang pinaparangalan. Sa pangakong binitiwan, siya'y laging tapat,
anuman ang mangyari, salita'y tinutupad. Hindi nagpapatubo sa kanyang mga pinautang, di
nasusuhulan para ipahamak ang walang kasalanan. Ang ganitong tao'y di matitinag
kailanman.” Mga Awit 15:1-5 RTPV05

“Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has
clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.”
Psalms 24:3-4 NKJV

“Sa burol ni Yahweh, sinong nararapat umahon? Sa banal niyang Templo, sinong dapat
pumaroon? Ang taong malinis ang buhay pati ang isipan, hindi sumasamba sa mga
diyus-diyosan; at hindi sumusumpa ng kasinungalingan.”
Mga Awit 24:3-4 RTPV05

- these things do not come automatically; they should be sought after

- let us press on toward the goal of entering the holy hill, Mount Zion, to press on to win
Christ

4. Recap of the Journey of Israel:

The study on the Journey of Israel brought us to (a) the life and preparation of Moses as the
leader, (b) the deliverance from slavery in Egypt; (c) journey from Egypt to Sinai, (d) the Lord met
with His people at Mount Sinai, made covenant with them, gave them the law beginning with the
Ten Commandments, (e) the Lord accompanied them in their journey on to the Promised Land
through the pillars of cloud and fire. (f) the Israelites were tested in their faith and trust in God as
He showed them miracles, signs and wonders, and provided for all their needs in the midst of their
 complainings and murmurings. (g) they already reached the border of Canaan, the Promised Land
but were disqualified to enter in, because of the sin of unbelief (h) thus the wandering in the
wilderness continued until 40 years and the generation aged 20years and above died during the
40-year journey (i) even Moses and Aaron were not allowed to enter into the Promised land, and
that segment of the journey ended in the death of Moses before their entry. (j) Joshua took over as
the new leader, and led the new generation as they crossed the Jordan River onto Canaan, the
promised land (k) the new generation underwent circumcision first before starting the conquest of
the land as their inheritance (l) under the leadership of Joshua, they conquered 31 kings
beginning with Jericho, but left many territories unconquered and seven tribes with no inheritance
yet. (m). After Joshua’s death, Israel continued in their sin, and the Lord’s favor was no longer with
them. (n) it was David later who pursued against the enemies, capturing the stronghold of Zion
from the Jebusites, and establishing Zion, or the City of David.

5. In all the events in the journey which we selected to discuss, we saw how these have parallelism
in our spiritual lives as Christians; after we received our salvation through the Blood of the Lamb
Jesus, we receive the Word of God which gives the commandments of God, and get baptized in
the Spirit; the Lord leads us to live through the wilderness where, just like the Israelites, we also
go through the same sins, struggles, testings and trials and victories which affect our relationship
with God through JesusChrist and the role of the HolySpirit in our spiritual walk. We continue
fighting against the enemies of our soul: the world, the devil, and ourselves (the flesh), to maintain
our inheritance and this depends on the degree and speed of our obedience to the Word of God,
and the leadings of the HolySpirit.

Let us not be complacent with our spiritual walk, and endeavor to press on to Mount Zion, living in
the will of God, being in His presence always, and being in very intimate relationship with God
through His Son Jesus Christ.

6. Where are you on your Journey?

As we conclude our study on the Journey of Israel, let us ask God to reveal to us where we are in
our own personal journey.

Following are the insights, suggestions Dr. Brian J. Bailey, the author of the book The Journey of
Israel:
a. If you do not know the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour, confess your sins and ask Him to
come into your heart.
b. If you know Christ as your Saviour, but are not walking with Him as you know you should be,
take this opportunity to rededicate your life to Him;
c. If you have never been baptized in water, ask your pastor or your leader for the schedule of the
next baptism in water.
d. If you have never been baptized in the HolySpirit, today is the day to receive it. Ask for the gift
of speaking in tongues.
e. If you are Spirit-filled, but have rarely or never operated in the gifts of the Spirit, ask God for a
fresh release of the spiritual gifts in your life.
f. If you are in the wilderness right now, do not complain or give up. Perhaps you are going
through a bitter experience as when the children of Israel encountered bitter water at Marah, or
perhaps you are experiencing a financial or physical need. Continue thanking God and
glorifying Him in the east. (Isa 24:15). Trust in the Lord with all your heart….Prov 3:5-6. As you
do, God will bring you through your wilderness trial victoriously and make you more than a
conqueror. Rom 8:37
g. Perhaps you are mature in the Lord, and may even be a minister, but you still need a work of
cleansing and circumcision in your heart. Deal with all of the enemies in your life, both inward
and outward, so that you can have victory in your life.
h. Perhaps you are experiencing a time of revival in your own personal life or in your ministry.
Remember that revival is not an end; it is only a means to an end - Christ. Keep pressing on
until you win Christ.

You must continue pressing on in your own personal life to know Christ more intimately each
and every day. The key to moving on with God is to always say “yes” to Him when He deals
with issues in your life.

We can already experience Mount Zion while still on earth. This is the will of God for us.