At the end of Part Two we saw how God’s providence got extended toa a Moabite, Ruth, the daughter-in-law to, Naomi from Bethlehem in the land of Israel. It is clear that a non-Israelite was not to be reckoned as part of the People of God. Such people are usually counted out of being worthy of God’s favor and compassion, but the unfolding events in the case of Ruth; if an individual, community or nation recognizes the Lordship of the Almighty Jehovah, HE would not count out such person or persons. Those who trust and obey God shall receive God’s favor and grace, as well as His splendor.

It is a common maxim that armament does not literally translate into victory at war. Before every endeavor, one has to talk to God first for guidance, irrespective of adequate or inadequate resources. In Judges 12: 1-25 the Midianites constituted thorns in the flesh of the Israelites. When they truly called on God, the Lord assigned Gideon to lead the war their enemies. At first, he was in doubt as to his fitness to lead in the war. He did seek confirmation and he got it. Furthermore, he armed with God’s choice of the number of men to prosecute the battle in His name. JUdges: 2-3 summarized what conditions Gideon complied with to ensure Israel’s victory over the Midianites. “And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people who with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israelites vaunt themselves against me, saying my own hand has saved me. Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return early from Mt Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand and there remained ten thousand.

It is a common parlance in management that when responsibility is assigned, it must go along with enablement or simply put, the wherewithal to function. I believed man borrowed the concept from God. Obviously, Joshua feared assuming the responsibility left behind by Moses, the great prophet of God of Israel. God had to give Joshua positive reinforcement through Moses.Deut, 31: 7-8 says “And Moses called unto Joshua, an said unto him in the sight of all Israel. Be strong and of good courage: for you must go with people unto the land which the Lord had sworn unto their fathers to give them, and thou shall cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, He it is that does go before thee; He will before thee,He will not fail thee, neither forsake; fear not, neither be dismayed” (KJV)

Much as it is expected of sinners to be penitent and be able to attract forgiveness, the Almighty God that to forgive is divine.Were God to have completely visited the sins committed by the children of Israel they could have been wiped out from the face of the earth. Instead, any time they show remorse, even if they have been enslaved, He would forgive and return them to the promised land. He did it for them in Babylon as per the 70 years in exile.This reminds us of the wickedness of Joseph’s brothers who sold him into slavery in Egypt. As at the famine brought them down to Egypt to buy corn, he recognized them and introduced himself and assured them of his unconditional forgiveness. Genesis 45;1-14, and Gen.50:15-21. Praise the Lord.

Jehovah is no-nonsense God, but at the same time He is full of mercy; coming of Jesus to reconcile us sinners with God would not have been required or necessary. Take the case of the woman caught with the sin of adultery even in the very act. She had been humiliated and was about to be stoned to death in obedience to mosaic law. jesus as God incarnate asked them to stone her if there was any who had not committed the sin before. Conscience pricked them all such that one by one thy dropped their stones and left the woman. Jesus rose up and forgave the woman and admonished her to go and sin no more John 8: 1-11 (KJV). God does not abandon anyone even in spite of sins committed. He always make provision for forgiveness. This was amplified in Lamentation 3: 31-33. Another testimony to the fact that God does not forget or abandon those who can confess and stop sinning any more. King Nebuchadnezzar spent seven seasons living the life of animals in the forest but was later restored back into his kingdom ONLY when he realized  his folly and learn to honor God. Daniel 4:33-37

It is established that the love of the Lord never ceases. He always provide redemption for all repentant sinners,