Q&A-Is the place Gaza in this verse the same place as today?
† Trickery & Craftiness, March 30, 2025
Joshua 11:22 NKJV None of the Anakim were left in the land of the children of Israel; they remained only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod.
† In Deuteronomy 2:11, the Anakim were regarded as an old tribe of giants
† In Judges 16:21 The Philistines put out Samson’s eyes, and brought him down to Gaza. where he became a grinder in the prison.
† In Acts 8:26 NKJV Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert.
† In Acts 8:36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”
We are a new creation in Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:16-17.
Yes, same Gaza.
The Earth & Mankind
Psalm 115:16 (NKJV) The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men.
God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1); therefore, as Creator, they are His.
However, the dominion of the earth was given to man (Genesis 1:28).
Genesis 1:28 NKJV Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
God does not rule directly over the earth; that is under man’s authority.
Man gave that authority to Satan.
Luke 4:6-7 NKJV And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. [7] Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”
Romans 6:16 NKJV Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
This is why Jesus had to become a man.
† As God, He didn’t have the authority legally to change what man had done, but when He became a man, Satan was in BIG trouble.
† God had become a man and, as such, had power and authority to execute judgment on the earth.
John 5:25-29 NKJV Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. [26] For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, [27] and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. [28] Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice [29] and come forth-those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
In the authority of Jesus’ name, we go and make disciples.
Matthew 28:18-19 NKJV And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
The Wind and the Word of God
Psalm 138:2 NKJV I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
John 1:1 NKJV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, [11] and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1 Corinthians 4:6 NKJV Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.
Hebrews 1:1-2 NKJV God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, [2] has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
Hebrews 4:12-13 NKJV For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. [13] And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Earthly to heavenly fire
Ezekiel 28:11-19 NKJV Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, [12] “Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. [13] You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created. [14] “You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. [15] You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you. [16] “By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within, And you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing Out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the fiery stones. [17] “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you. [18] “You defiled your sanctuaries By the multitude of your iniquities, By the iniquity of your trading; Therefore I brought fire from your midst; It devoured you, And I turned you to ashes upon the earth In the sight of all who saw you. [19] All who knew you among the peoples are astonished at you; You have become a horror, And shall be no more forever.”‘”
† From the king of Tyre to the anointed cherub in the garden of God.
† Transition from the natural to the spiritual
† From earthly to heavenly.
Isaiah 63:1-6 NKJV Who is this who comes from Edom, With dyed garments from Bozrah, This One who is glorious in His apparel, Traveling in the greatness of His strength?- “I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” [2] Why is Your apparel red, And Your garments like one who treads in the winepress? [3] “I have trodden the winepress alone, And from the peoples no one was with Me. For I have trodden them in My anger, And trampled them in My fury; Their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, And I have stained all My robes. [4] For the day of vengeance is in My heart, And the year of My redeemed has come. [5] I looked, but there was no one to help, And I wondered That there was no one to uphold; Therefore My own arm brought salvation for Me; And My own fury, it sustained Me. [6] I have trodden down the peoples in My anger, Made them drunk in My fury, And brought down their strength to the earth.”
Judges 5:20-23 NKJV
They fought from the heavens; The stars from their courses fought against Sisera. [21] The torrent of Kishon swept them away, That ancient torrent, the torrent of Kishon. O my soul, march on in strength! [22] Then the horses’ hooves pounded, The galloping, galloping of his steeds. [23] ‘Curse Meroz,’ said the angel of the LORD, ‘Curse its inhabitants bitterly, Because they did not come to the help of the LORD, To the help of the LORD against the mighty.’
Revelation 19:13 NKJV He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
God of patience and comfort
Romans 15:4-6 NKJV For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. [5] Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, [6] that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
† for our learning
Job 38:17-18 NKJV Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death? [18] Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell Me, if you know all this.
† a helper comparable
Genesis 2:18-20 NKJV And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” [19] Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. [20] So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.
† Revelation
Psalm 60:2-4 NKJV You have made the earth tremble; You have broken it; Heal its breaches, for it is shaking. [3] You have shown Your people hard things; You have made us drink the wine of confusion. [4] You have given a banner to those who fear You, That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah
† What is that banner?
Song of Solomon 2:4 NKJV He brought me to the banqueting house, And his banner over me was love.
Revelation 2:4 NKJV Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Psalm 50:21 NKJV These things you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; But I will rebuke you, And set them in order before your eyes.
John 17:14-19 NKJV
I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. [15] I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. [16] They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. [17] Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. [18] As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. [19] And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.
† Your choice
† I have given them Your word.
† Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
2 Timothy 2:20-26 NKJV But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. [21] Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. [22] Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. [23] But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. [24] And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, [25] in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, [26] and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.