Dear Family,

Today is Sunday, May 29, 2022, Day 1 of Week 7. This is the 43rd Day in our Count to Pentecost. It has been called the Week of Camping Before Mt. Sinai.

As we begin the 7th and final week in our Count to Pentecost, we find ancient Israel nearing the foot of Mt. Sinai where they will camp for about a year. At Mt. Sinai, God made a covenant with them, an earthly covenant, which was a type and foreshadowing of the everlasting covenant God is making with His people now.

And, just as they had to prepare to meet God at Mt. Sinai, we are to prepare as well. At Mt. Sinai, God showed the people that He maintained strong boundaries and guidelines to approaching Him. His presence was not to be taken for granted, not even by nearing the mount and touching it without specific permission or invitation.

Exodus 19:10-13 (10) And the Lord said unto Moses; Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes, (11) And be ready against the third day: for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. (12) And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying; Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: (13) There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.

As we prepare ourselves for meeting with God in a special commanded assembly before Him at Pentecost, let’s be sure that we submit ourselves to God, giving ourselves to Him in His way! Let us appreciate what God has sanctified.

Let us realize that God Himself has sanctified us. After all, we are His saints. Let us present ourselves before God, clean, and ready to fellowship with our Father and our Savior!

After all, our loving God looks upon us as He did Israel, with at least one major difference. That nation was to be temporary. The nation He is building now will be everlasting.

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.

Brethren, may our great and loving God draw us closer and closer to Him. And, that He will bless us with the reverence He requires of us when we fellowship with our Father, our Savior, and with His people.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sabbath, May 28, 2022, Day 7 of Week 6. This is the 42nd Day in our Count to Pentecost.

We are now ending the 6th week of Israel’s journey to Mt. Sinai. This is the week many Bible historians call the week of Jethro’s visit. Jethro, Moses’ father-on-law, brought Moses’ family to the campsite.

Seeing Moses sit in judgment all day, overwhelmed by the pressures of judging every matter the rowdy Israelites brought out, Jethro suggested a form of judicial organization. We have come to call that organization the “Jethro Principle.” And, it has been used as an organizational form in many capacities, not just for judgment.

The principle involved delegation of authority to capable people who actually would learn how to judge. Part of the preparation to be a judge was Moses’ teaching “them ordinances and laws.” This is a crucial component.

A second, most important part of this delegation of authority involved the character and integrity of the men Moses would use.

Exodus 18:20-21 (20) And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. (21) Moreover, thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

In essence, God is training us to be able to judge, also. Of course, He wants “righteous” judgment, and His laws (not just any laws or rules) are the key. Through God’s Holy Spirit, His laws are being written on the hearts of true Believers. When our training is complete, everyone God will use to teach or judge others will be of the same nature, character, and integrity as our Savior and our Father.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Friday, May 27, 2022, Day 6 of Week 6. This is the 41st Day in our Count to Pentecost.

One of Moses’ greatest challenges in the 40 years of leading a murmuring, rebellious people, was burn out. If Moses had allowed the errors of the people to fill his mind, he could have been immersed in their negativity. Many people would find leading this huge group of grumbling malcontents to be overwhelming and unbearable. Humanly, we may wonder what kept Moses from just walking away from the job.

However, Moses on many different occasions was tempted by Israel’s contrary actions, yet he did not succumb to the typical, natural impulses. Why?

God had given Moses a clear purpose! The vision of leading the children of Israel into the Promised Land remained fresh in Moses’ thinking. That purpose even trumped burn out.

Also, God was very real to Moses. God had given Moses the opportunity to be in His divine presence, face-to-face, something like the meetings God had had with Moses’ forefathers. Through intimate contact with God, the vision could remain fresh and powerful.

Once God engaged Moses in the task before him, there was no room for doubt that God would bring His people to the Promised Land. While Israel often looked back to Egypt, the only direction Moses looked was forward. No matter how long or difficult the journey, we must all press forward to the goal like Moses did (and a whole list of other faithful witnesses, also, see Hebrews 11).

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him; No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Once committed to God and His purpose, there is no looking back! God says Moses was “faithful in all his house” (Hebrews 3:2, 5). We want Him to say that about us, also.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Thursday, May 26, 2022, Day 5 of Week 6. This is the 40th Day in our Count to Pentecost.

The ancient Israelites needed faith and patience to inherit the Promised Land after being delivered from bondage. It took 40 years for them to finally arrive.

And, if Israel needed patience for 40 years, Believers in the Church of God have most certainly needed patience. About two thousand years ago, our Savior told us to pray, “Thy kingdom come.” And, the faithful have been doing just that.

At the ascension of Jesus Christ on the 40th day after His acceptance for us as the Wave Sheaf, His disciples expected a speedy return and the setting up of the Kingdom of God on earth.

Although Jesus was with them for forty days, speaking about the Kingdom of God, they still asked if He was going to restore the Kingdom to Israel at that time. Maybe they were a little impatient.

Acts 1:2-7 (2) Until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen: (3) To whom also He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: (4) And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of Me. (5) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence. (6) When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying; Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (7) And He said unto them; It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.

Jesus told them they were not to know God’s schedule. They had work to do; and, if they had known just how long they would have to wait for the Kingdom of God on earth, the information may have created quite a distraction and affected their motivation.

The natural man is challenged by having to wait. Patience (longsuffering) is a fruit of God’s Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). And, the book of James indicates that patience has a perfecting quality about it.

James 1:4; 5:8 (1:4) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (5:8) Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Apparently, there is no substitute for having patience. God keeps “times, or the seasons” “in His own power.” His plan takes what it takes! And, while we wait, God is working to perfect us. We know He will return, for He has promised (John 14:1-3)! No matter how long it takes, His coming is closer than ever before.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Wednesday, May 25, 2022, Day 4 of Week 6. This is the 39th Day in our Count to Pentecost.

The ancient Israelites demonstrated over and over their habit of negative thinking. Analyzing their words and behaviors, we find one of the patterns they displayed was what we now call “all or nothing thinking,” meaning we see things as either “good or bad,” or “black or white.” In this kind of thinking, there is no room for anything in between. Some people describe it as being in one ditch or the other.

It’s a really easy pattern for many people to use. It’s just part of natural, carnal, human nature. And, even as Believers today, we can slip into this carnal thinking.

The pattern is easy to see in ancient Israel. It is most clear to discern when the ancient Israelites needed something. They were quite demanding. Their words and their behaviors were much like the tantrums of a toddler. They either wanted everything provided for them immediately, or they flipped completely into foolish, threatening behaviors like going back to Egypt or stoning their leaders, Moses and Aaron.

Because this pattern is so common in our culture today, even true Believers need to be on guard.

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

We are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6), but we are the bondservants of our God and Savior. They made us; They paid for us; They delivered us from death; They work with us constantly; They pour out Their love and blessings on us.

Believers have to be transformed in our thinking and in our behaviors.

Romans 12:1-2 (1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Let us adopt the mindset that whatever the circumstances are that God creates and allows into our lives are POSITIVE and play an important part in His plan to bring us to glory with Him forever.

Let nothing sway us into foolish and negative thinking, because negative thinking leads to sin.

Hebrews 2:10 For it became Him, for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Tuesday, May 24, 2022, Day 3 of Week 6. This is the 38th Day in our Count to Pentecost.

Putting several verses together, we find that Miriam, Aaron, and Moses were the children of Amram and Jochebed. Amram was the son of Kohath, who was the son of Levi. And Amram’s wife was his father’s sister.

Exodus 6:18, 20 (18) And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and the years of the life of Kohath were an hundred thirty and three years. (20) And Amram took him Jochebed his father’s sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years.

God used all three of Amram’s children in significant ways to bless Israel. In addition to God’s giving Aaron the unique responsibility, honor, and privilege of being Israel’s first high priest, He used him in many capacities. God especially used Aaron and Moses to picture prophetic aspects of our Savior’s roles and responsibilities.

Aaron was involved in God’s plan to deliver Israel from Egypt from the very beginning. God sent Aaron to meet Moses, and the meeting was very positive as Aaron was “glad in his heart” and “kissed him.” After Moses told Aaron about their appointed task, they went together to meet the elders of Israel. Aaron was witness to, and “did the signs.” Together, they told Pharaoh that God said to let the people go.

Exodus 4:14, 27-30 (14) And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said; Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. (27) And the LORD said to Aaron; Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him. (28) And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD who had sent him, and all the signs which He had commanded him. (29) And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel: (30) And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people

Exodus 5:1,4,20 (1) And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh; Thus, saith the LORD God of Israel; Let My people go, that they may hold a feast unto Me in the wilderness. (4) And the king of Egypt said unto them; Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? Get you unto your burdens. (20) And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh

Exodus 6:13 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

Exodus 8 shows us that it was called Aaron’s rod (as well as the rod of Moses) when it turned into a snake and ate the magician’s snakes. It was also Aaron’s rod when God used it to turn the water into blood. It was that same rod that God used to initiate other plagues, also. It is not clear if both Moses and Aaron each had a rod of their own (compare Exodus 8:17 and 9:23 and 17:5).

When we read more carefully, we find God told Moses and Aaron to speak the words, and do many of the other things that had to be accomplished (Exodus 8, 12). And, the children of Israel recognized Aaron’s leadership. The Bible records that the Israelites often murmured against both Moses and Aaron (Exodus 16:2; Numbers 14:2; 16:41).

As we study Scripture, we find that the major role Moses played in the deliverance often overshadows the great use God made of Aaron. And, God also put great tasks before Aaron. And, often we overlook just how involved Aaron was in the process of deliverance.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Monday, May 23, 2022, Day 2 of Week 6. This is the 37th Day in our Count to Pentecost.

One of the leaders among the tribes of Israel mentioned in the accounts of the Exodus and Conquest of the Promised Land was the man Caleb (Numbers 13:6). He was of the tribe of Judah, and generally referred to as the son of Jephunneh. He is one of the twelve men (one from each tribe) that Moses chose to spy out the land.

One of Caleb’s most outstanding characteristics was his positive attitude toward the challenges of conquering the land. While ten of the spies admitted the land was flowing with milk and honey, their report discouraged the people. It was filled with their fear of the giants and lack of hope/faith/trust in taking the land.

Numbers 13:32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying; The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.

In the face of these negative claims, Caleb asserted steady confidence and “stilled” the people standing before Moses, saying, “We are well able to possess it.”

Numbers 13:30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said; Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

God sentenced the ten spies who brought the evil report to death at some point in the wilderness journey, but Joshua and Caleb were kept alive because of faithfulness and courage. The evil report provided opportunity for the rebellious Israelites to murmur, complain, and wildly threaten to make themselves a new leader who would take them back to Egypt (Numbers 14:1-4). They even threatened to stone the faithful leaders (Numbers 14:10).

Numbers 14:6-9 (6) And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: (7) And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying; The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. (8) If the Lord delight in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. (9) Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.

Caleb, and Joshua, recognized the rebellion for what it was. And, they passionately appealed to the Israelites to realize “the Lord is with us: fear them not.” For this faithfulness, God assured Caleb he would reach the Promised Land. Notice God tells us that the differences between Caleb and the faithless spies were “another spirit with him” and following God “fully.”

Numbers 14:24 But My servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed Me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.
Joshua 14 and 15 recount the story of how Caleb received Hebron, which was the area of the giants (Anak, Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, see Joshua 15:14). Even at age 85, Caleb was ready to tackle the giants and drive them out.

Joshua 14:10-13 (10) And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. (11) As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. (12) Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said. (13) And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.

Caleb knew the Source of His strength. He certainly was of a different spirit than those who were fearful, timid, or faithless.

Brethren, once God gives us the faith to truly trust Him as the Wise and Generous Source for everything good, we need to follow Caleb’s example of patience, perseverance, and courage, and put all of our efforts into cooperating with His way of doing things, no matter how long it takes, even if it’s 40 years or more, and even if a majority does not agree with our beliefs.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sunday, May 22, 2022, Day 1 of Week 6. This is the 36th Day in our Count to Pentecost.

Is God our Jehovah-Nissi? Is He, our BANNER? Do we lift up His name in our private prayers and public discussions in a declaration that we trust Him and His plans for our lives, that we depend upon Him, and that He is the Source of our Strength and Protection?

It is out of the abundance of the heart that our mouths speak! (Matthew 12:34, Luke 6:45)

When things are going well, it is easy for many of us to become self-confident, or even self-willed and wayward/headstrong. It is easy for us to choose our ways over God’s ways; sometimes without even giving our choices a second thought.

When our BANNER is consistently lifted high in our lives, it is easier for us to see it, as well as for others to see it (friend or foe), and it is easier to remain aware of what it means to be under God as our BANNER.

Realizing God HAS to be our BANNER can help us submit all of our thoughts, our words, and our ways to Him.

Proverbs 3:5-7 (5) Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. (7) Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Sabbath, May 21, 2022, Day 7 of Week 5. This is the 35th Day in our Count to Pentecost.

In Exodus 17 we begin to read about the man named Joshua. Who was he? Why did God choose him to succeed Moses? The first time we see Joshua mentioned in the Holy Bible, we find him preparing a group of men that he would command to go out and fight with Amalek.

We learn more about Joshua from later scriptural accounts. He served as Moses’ minister or servant (Exodus 33:11, Numbers 11:28), and in Exodus 33:11 Joshua was called one of Moses’ “young men.” Joshua was close by when Moses went up into the mount of God.

Exodus 24:12-13 (12) And the Lord said unto Moses; Come up to Me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. (13) And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.

From the book of Numbers, we learn that Joshua was also called Oshea, and that he was of the tribe of Ephraim. Apparently, Moses altered the young man’s name slightly by adding a syllable about the time when the 12 spies first went into the land from the area of Kadesh Barnea.

Numbers 13:8,16 (8) Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun. (16) These are the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua.

The Bible shows that Joshua appeared to be very protective towards Moses’ authority. And, Joshua was one of the two faithful and true witnesses (spies) regarding the Promised Land. He refused to join the rebels, and tore his clothes at the false reports of the other ten spies.

Numbers 11:27-29 (27) And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said; Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. (28) And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said; My lord Moses, forbid them. (29) And Moses said unto him; Enviest thou for my sake? Would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put His spirit upon them!

Numbers 14:6 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:

In the 40-year wilderness journey, Joshua proved himself over and over to be faithful. This is a vital characteristic God wants in the leaders of His people. So, Moses laid his hand on Joshua as God commanded. The Bible describes Joshua as “a man in whom is the spirit” (Numbers 27:18) and one who “wholly followed the LORD” (Numbers 32:11-13).

God chose Joshua and set him before the people, promising that Joshua would be the one that would cause Israel to inherit the Promised Land.

Deuteronomy 3:28 But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.
And, it was shortly after the death of Moses that God began to speak to Joshua and direct him in the conquest of the land. God promised He would be with Joshua, and charged him to be strong and courageous.

Joshua 1:1(A) Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister…

Deuteronomy 31:23 And He gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said; Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.

And, God did exactly what He had promised. He always does. The example of Joshua is one very good witness of God’s faithfulness and power to complete what He starts.

And, now it becomes clearer why God chose Joshua to succeed Moses. God knew that He could develop those leadership qualities that were going to be required to lead Israel into their inheritance. In Joshua, God was able to develop loyalty, faithfulness, courage, a strength of resolve, a servant attitude, a positive outlook, and complete commitment to God.

Because we are God’s leaders, now and in the future, He is working to develop specific characteristics in us as we submit and cooperate with Him. What an awesome God!

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,

Today is Friday, May 20, 2022, Day 6 of Week 5. This is the 34th Day in our Count to Pentecost.

Exodus 17:9 And Moses said unto Joshua; Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.

The battle with Amalek waged all day and required divine assistance. As Moses lifted up his rod. Israel prevailed, but when Moses grew tired and lowered his rod, Amalek prevailed, even though the same warriors were battling the same foe all day. However, there was no doubt about who would win the battle and “discomfit” Amalek. God never intended that Israel should lose this significant battle.

Exodus 17:13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

There are a number of useful parallels that can be drawn between the physical battle with Amalek and the spiritual battles we face as true Believers.

For example, Joshua, whose name means YHVH’s Salvation, is a type of our Savior Jesus Christ.

The Israelite warriors were chosen; they were not volunteers. The battle took the entire day with no periods of inactivity or rest from the battle. The outcome of the battle was never in doubt, but the warriors still had to fight. There was no place for defeat or retreat. The “edge of the sword” is parallel to our using God’s Word, the truth that sets us free. Moses’ raising of his rod is a symbol of reaching up to God for His required intervention for victory. When we are not reaching up to God for divine intervention, the enemy can temporarily prevail. When we look to God and depend on Him, it is clear that we will win, yet, the battle rages until the end of day (we must overcome to the end). And, when we grow weary, we need others who will help us continue to reach up to God until the final victory. Then, when the battle is over, we are to raise up the standard, the banner – like a flag, that serves as a sign to all that we are under the authority of the Sovereign, Almighty God! And He gets the glory!

Brethren, let us proceed to fight the good fight of faith that God has laid before us, constantly reaching up to God, trusting Him, and raising up a Banner that lets everyone know we belong to God, and that we are giving God all the glory for the strength and the victories He provides. The battle belongs to the LORD!

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God