Introduction: Scripture Reading- Joshua 6:1-5
A. Joshua 6:1-5
B. Setting the Context
1. Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.
a. Disobedience and a lack of faith caused them to roam through the wilderness for 40 years. They made it to the promised land in the same manner as they did in escaping the Egyptians (passed over the Jordan on dry land- Joshua 5:1) and a new generation is circumcised and ready to take the land.
2. The significance of Jericho as the first conquest in the Promised Land.
a. This would be an extreme faith booster for the people.
b. Militarily Jericho would be a great stronghold on the edge of the land near the river.
c. When they take Jericho, the entire land will KNOW the power of God and that he is with these strangers in the land. In reality, this is the ultimate family reunion of sorts, and the Israelites are coming to take the land from the sons of Ham one of the sons of Noah (Gen. 10).
Discussion:
I. The Call to Obedience [vs. 1-7]
A. God's Command: Trust and Obedience
1. God's promise to deliver Jericho into Israel's hands.
2. The unconventional strategy: marching around the city.
a. Sieged city
b. Flat- tachath: crumble from beneath or below
B. Lessons on Trust and Obedience
1. Trusting in God's promises despite apparent obstacles.
2. Willingness to obey God's commands, even if they seem illogical.
a. Isa. 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
II. The Process of Obedience [vs. 8-15]
A. The March around Jericho
1. The daily routine of obedience.
a. II Tim. 2:15 Study to show thyself approved
b. I Thess. 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
c. II Tim. 2:2 Teach to other faithful, who will be able to teach others
d. Gal. 6:9 Do good unto all, especially the household of faith
2. The faithfulness of the Israelites to follow God's instructions.
B. Persistence in Obedience
1. Enduring through the repetition of the process.
2. Overcoming doubts and fears through obedience.
a. The drill and commands keeps our minds focused and disciplined for the fight to come. Let us always be ready and on guard for Satan’s attacks.
III. The Victory of Obedience [vs. 16-24]
A. The Collapse of Jericho's Walls
1. The culmination of obedience on the seventh day.
a. The seventh day here symbolizes the victory to come if we do all that God has commanded us to do. We have earned nothing, we have simply been obedient that which was commanded. We are unprofitable soldiers/servants.
2. God's miraculous intervention in response to obedience.
a. This was a miraculous event and very powerful.
b. We don’t have miracles today, those times have past but we can be assured that God still answers prayers. We must have faith that he answers in His way and on His time.
B. The Conquest of Jericho
1. Israel's triumph over the fortified city.
2. The fulfillment of God's promise through obedience.
a. The Israelites received everything from God they were promised in this city.
b. We as God’s children, if we have obeyed Him to become His children and have been obedient to death, then we to will receive everything He has promised us when we march into that heavenly city having conquered and over come sin in this life.
3. That means we must surrender our will to God’s will and obey even when things don’t quite make sense to us.
4. We must trust in God’s Word and God’s plan of salvation for all.
a. [vs. 25-27]
Conclusion
A. Recap of Key Points
1. God's faithfulness to His promises.
2. The importance of obedience in experiencing victory.
B. We must Trust and Obey God’s Plan for victory:
1. Trusting in God's promises…
2. Obedience to God’s commands…
3. Is the ONLY way to victory.
C. Invitation
1. God calls everyone today to obedience through the gospel.
a. We must hear His Word. (Rom. 10:17)
2. If we are obedient to His Word, then he will keep His promises.
b. We are told that through hearing His Word, we must belief it and believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He came to this earth to die for each and everyone of us. (Rom. 10:9-10)
c. We are told that we must repent of our sins, turn away from that life to live in righteousness. (Rom. 6)
d. We are told that we must confess our faith before others. (Acts 8:37)
e. We must be immersed in water to come in contact with the blood of Jesus and have our sins washed away. Just like Paul in Acts 22:16 so that we might be saved, I Pet. 3:21.
f. Arising to walk in newness of life and being faithful unto death. (Rom. 6 and Rev. 2:10)
g. Again, it is the ONLY way to victory.