Walter Spires - Minutes For Men

Throughout biblical history, God was King and Lord over His chosen people.  We know He guided, protected, and provided for them always.  The people of Israel had sunk so low, they demanded that Samuel anoint a human king over them like the other nations had.   Bible References:  1 Samuel 8: 1-22

So desperate for a child, Hannah promised God she would give him back to His full time service.  That is how, Samuel, the last judge and first prophet of Israel came on the scene.  His most famous line should find its way to our lips also..."Speak Lord, for your servant is listening."  Bible References:  I Samuel 1: 9-28; 3: 1-22

While the book of Ruth is well-known as the story of Ruth, a Moabite woman, and Naomi, an older Jewish widow, it comes together when God introduces His man, Boaz, to redeem what would have otherwise been a sad ending of two poor women.  It is a picture of Christ and us.  Bible References:  Ruth 1: 1 - 4: 22

You have to be in my age bracket to remember this comical song, but I could not resist the opportunity to use that title even though it was grammatically incorrect.  During the hundreds of years after Joshua before God finally relented and gave Israel a king, He used "judges" to manage the disobedient people.  The last verse lets us know how that period went.  "... all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes "  Bible References:  Judges 3 -  21: 25 

Despite his great leadership and legacy, after Joshua went Home to be with the Lord, the Israelites fell back into idolatry and disobedience, forgetting all the LORD God had done for them.   Bible References:  Judges 2: 1-23

At the end of his incredible life as a man of God, Joshua made sure he used his waning days well.  He challenged the nation of Israel to remember all God had done for them and commit to keep their side of the covenant with God.   Bible References:  Deuteronomy 31: 23; Joshua 24: 1-28

Servant of Moses...Mighty Warrior...Fearless man of faith, humble leader.  Not much more to say about this great man of God. Bible References:  Exodus 17, 24, 33: 11;  Deuteronomy 3: 28, 31: 23 

Caleb was the first to speak out against the other ten spies.  He saw what God saw and believed Him when the others did not.  Bible References:  Numbers 13: 30; 14: 24; Joshua 14: 6-15

Moses was an amazing leader, and we can learn a lot about those skills by studying his life.  More than that, he had the closest relationship with God of any man in the Bible (not Jesus, of course).  Studying that is the greater effort.   Bible References:  Deuteronomy 34: 10-12

From Genesis 3 through the book of Revelation, we read of the anger of God for which He makes no apology.  God hates sin.  It is a good thing to focus on the love of God, but very foolish to ignore His anger.  As men of God, we must study His Word to learn what it takes to remove it.   Bible References:  Exodus 32; 1-14; Numbers 20: 1-13; Deuteronomy 32: 46-52

In my study, I found it interesting that only our Bible headings call the "ten words" or "decalogue" the Ten Commandments.  Thousands of years later, Jesus fulfilled, not destroyed, them.  Bible References:  Exodus 20; Matthew 5: 17-20

This infamous story of the twelve spies being sent to scout out the Promised Land is not recorded in Exodus - rather Numbers and Deuteronomy.  We see a clear failure of leadership as Moses listened to the ten fearful men instead of the two faithful ones.  Bible References:  Numbers 13-14; Deuteronomy 1: 19-46

Finally on their way out of bondage after hundreds of years, God's people do not really know or remember Him.  Yahweh did not wait long to get reacquainted.  Bible References: EXodus 13: 17 - 14: 31

All men have faith.  The question is this.  Where is that faith placed?  Bible References:  Exodus 7 - 11

Moses has found favor with God beyond any of his fathers.  How?  God tells Moses His name - I AM from which we get our words Yahweh and Jehovah.  God is about relationships...with Moses and you and me.   Bible References: Exodus 5, 6

From man of faith to man of fear with many excuses as to why he could not do what God asked, I can relate to Moses.  How about you? Bible References:  Exodus 2 - 4:17

With Joseph dead and a new Pharaoh, God's people went from prosperity to captivity.  All part of God's plan to get His people to their promised land.    Bible References:  Genesis 50: 24-26; Exodus 1: 1-22

We introduced our covenant God and considered sons from Abraham to Joseph.  Then we looked at Job and the sovereignty of God.   Bible References:  Gen 12-50; Job

No men were ever given greater assignments from God that required such faith. Bible References:  Genesis 6-9; 12-25

God expects us to follow Him in obedience and lead others as He leads us.  He also redeems us when we fail.  Bible References: Gen 2-3