More Homework- And You Get To Join Me!

Aren't you lucky.

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Well, since I have to write an essay about what I learned in Biblical Backgrounds, I thought I might as well type it up here. These are the especially interesting points. =)

God did not perform miracles by accident. He took into account the Israelites’ condition and their enemies beliefs.
Just as the Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land, they found that they had only one more barrier to cross: the Jordan River. One might think that this wasn’t a big deal; after all, the river wasn’t very wide. But it was exceptionally deep. Once one foot goes in, the whole body goes in. So the Israelites definitely needed a miracle- how were they going to get cross? God had parted the Red Sea, why couldn’t he part the Jordan? God did part the Jordan for the Israelites, but this event was not only for Israel’s faith education. You see, the Canaanites believed in Baal, the god of fertility and water. The Jordan was hugely significant in their beliefs. When the Jordan overflowed its banks, it was a sign from Baal that they were blessed. God showed His mighty power by dividing the water and thus defeating Baal. Baal obviously (even to the Canaanites) couldn’t do that, so the God of the Israelites was clearly more powerful. God defeated Baal again in later history. God, through Elijah, had stopped the rain from falling for 7 years. (As a reminder, Baal is the water [rain] god.) Try as they might, the Canaanites could not get their god to send rain. But Elijah could. God again clearly showed that He was THE God of the universe.
God chooses specific, culturally-relevant events to evidence His great power and superiority.
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In Matthew 16:18 it says that “the gates of Hell will not overpower” the church. That sure seems like we are under attack. We must fight against Satan and his cohorts! He must not win!! See, he is trying to overpower us! Though this is a prevailing thought in the church, this is an inaccurate belief. They key word in that passage is “gates.” Where were gates? In the city. They were part of the city, in fact. So are whole cities clomping around attacking? No, they are not. Gates are a mode of defense (which is a whole other subject altogether). So deducting from that, we (the Church) need to be attacking Satan, not the reverse! That puts a whole new spin on that verse. God promises to help us win when we attack, not when we sit by and take it. Now please realize that I am not saying that Christ will not protect us when we are under attack; I am pointing out that He promises that He will help us when we attack Satan.
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There’s more, but this is by far the most interesting, and will make the most sense. Well, the first example could use some clarification, but I’m tired. I’m sure you’re smart enough to get the point.

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Ok, well I have way more to do before I go to bed. (Oh, my goodness. I’m listening to Hanson. How pathetic. That’s the problem with soundtracks- you’ll never know who you’ll get on the CD. And when Hanson or N*Sync or Backstreet Boys or whoever come on, you look boy-band crazy. I hate boy-bands.)

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It’s almost Christmas time- and that means eggnog! I can’t wait.