Why Did God Command Israel to Go to War?
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeGod's command for Israel to execute total war on the Canaanites has a rational—and yes, Christian—explanation. He is not cruel; there is a benevolent reason.
The Sixth Commandment (Part 2): War! (1997)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughA reason lies behind the devastating wars that have plagued mankind since the beginning. The reason is simple: Men have broken the sixth commandment!
God's Simple Commands
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughGod puts His commands in such clear terminology that no one can retort with 'yes, but....' We continue to sin because we do not really believe what He says.
A Time for War
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughGod allowed ancient Israel to go war, and when Christ returns, His first act will be to wage war against the nations. When God-led, war can bring peace.
Do You See God in Deuteronomy?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod displaced the Amorites because they had defiled the land; not one righteous person existed. Israel was warned not to defile themselves with demonism.
To the Third and Fourth Generation
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamThe sins of our forebears have affected us. In the enigmatic incident in II Samuel 21:1-6, David was prevailed upon to turn over seven descendants of Saul to be executed in retribution for Saul's genocidal treatment of the Gibeonites. To be sure, the Gibeonites had deceived Joshua in making a covenant, and the consequences for …
Deuteronomy (Part 7)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSanctification is an incremental process in which we systematically destroy the sin within us as our forebears were asked to destroy the inhabitants of Canaan.
Searching for Israel (Part Five): Solomon and the Divided Kingdom
Article by Charles WhitakerGod divided Solomon's kingdom between Israel and Judah, but promised that a king of Judaic lineage will always rule Israel—another key to finding Israel.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part One): Origins
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause Abraham trusted God, his descendants have received unprecedented blessings. If the Israelites would have kept God's law, they would have served as a model.
His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh somewhat modifies his amazement at individuals who made gigantic sacrifices in the fledgling days of the Radio Church of God, concluding that it is in fact God who expends the lion's share of the energy, putting us all through flip flops in our sanctification process. Our yielding to God's will is a relatively …
Israel's Immigration Problem
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, comparing the events of the day of Noah with today's society, suggests that the explosion of knowledge taking place has an enervating and wearying effect. While the world's never-ending news is distracting us, Satan has another scheme operating, diluting Israel's integrity and power by the illegal immigration …
Deuteronomy (Part 4) (1994)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod has invited us into a love relationship—one in which He has already shown Himself to be absolutely faithful. If we truly love Him, severing our affections with this world, we will meet the demands of becoming holy. God's Holy Spirit enables us to have this love (Romans 5:5), but we must actively use it or lose it. We …
The High Places (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeGod points out four kings of Judah who did not remove the high places. Many kings neither built nor destroyed high places, yet God points out four who failed.
Deuteronomy (Part 3) (1994)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh reiterates the dominant themes, including (1) Preparing to receive our inheritance (2) Learning to fear God (3) God's grace and (4) God's faithfulness. We will not be prepared to execute judgment in the Millennium unless we are experientially persuaded of God's faithfulness to His Covenant and of His intolerance …
Deuteronomy and Idolatry
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe are admonished to internalize the book of Deuteronomy in preparation for our future leadership roles.
David and the Gibeonites
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSaul tried to placate God by massacring Gibeonites. Later, David yielded to the Gibeonites' by hanging Saul's descendants to avenge the slaughter. God was not pleased.
Joshua and the Gibeonites
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe Gibeonites' pretense of coming from a distant land resulted in their slavery. Yet, through their influence, they contributed to Israel's destruction.
