Text: Joshua 6
Theme: Spiritual warfare isn’t about how mighty and valiant we are; it isn’t about the size and skill of our enemies; it is about the greatness of our God.
Intro:
- In chapter 5, we looked at the reconsecration of the nation. Israel has just crossed over the Jordan River and is now looking to conquer the land, but before they could take the land, they needed to reidentify themselves with the covenant through which they received the promise of the land.
- In chapter 6, we see Israel beginning the conquest by taking the city of Jericho. The conquest would be a test of faith from start to finish and Israel would learn that, without God, they could not win the battles.
Main:
- The Battle Was the Lord’s (Vs 1-5)
a. Jericho was straitly shut up.
– We need to think about this in terms of military strategy. Usually, there would be a steady flow of traffic in and out of the city to facilitate the trade of goods and the gathering in of crops and such. At this point in time, there was not such traffic, in fact, the verse says that “none went out, and none came in,” meaning the gates were permanently locked.|
– With no traffic coming in and out of the city, there would be no food coming into the city to supply it. Most cities could hold out for months on their reserve food supplies but eventually these would run out too and the people inside would have to either fight or starve to death.
b. The city was still a formidable structure which needed to be conquered.
– Remember that Rahab’s house was built on top of the wall, meaning that this wall was of considerable width. Some city walls were built so thick that you could have chariots racing side by side on top of the walls.
– Despite all this, God said he had given the city and its inhabitants into the hand of Joshua.
c. The city of Jericho was already defeated
– When God said to Joshua, “I have given into thine hand Jericho,” the matter was already settled.
d. The Israel had to follow God’s command
– The nation of Israel was commanded to compass the city once a day for the next 6 days. Of all the things you would expect to be doing in a battle, marching around the city in perfect silence probably isn’t one of them.
– Finally, on the seventh day, the Israeli army would march around the city seven times and on the seventh time the trumpets would blow, and the people would shout and the walls of Jericho would simply fall down, creating a ramp up into the city. - The People Obeyed God (Vs 6-16)
a. The battle had to be fought in God’s way.
– The children of Israel had to recognise that they would never conquer Jericho if they attempted it in their own way and in their own strength.
– Joshua had just learned that the Captain of the host of the LORD was with them, and it was on this basis that they could conquer the city.
– Christian warfare is the same today. We can only be victorious because the Lord Jesus Christ, who has already won the victory over sin and the world, is with us.
b. The children of Israel obeyed God and their obedience paid off in great dividends.
– “Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe. Doing exactly what the Lord commands, doing it happily. Action is the key, do it immediately, joy you will receive. Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.”
– You know, the Israelites might have felt foolish marching around the city in silence, but soon it was their enemies who felt foolish. - The City Was Taken (Vs 17-27)
a. The conquest was tithed to God (Vs 17-19)
– Why would God be so clear about the need to destroy everything?
Because God didn’t want the Israelites to begin taking on the culture and practices of the heathen nations that they conquered.
– The gods of the heathens were a constant problem for Israel. God wanted Israel to destroy the wicked nations living in Canaan and to remain clean from the sins of these nations.
b. The same call goes out to the Christian today.
– John 15:19 “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”
– John 17:15-17 “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
c. The precious metals were all accursed.
– The word translated “accursed” here means, “something that is set apart, dedicated, usually for destruction.”
– The precious metals were the only thing from the conquest that Israel was to spare from total destruction. The rest of the city was burned with fire and left desolate.
d. Although it was God who gave Israel the victory, he still required Israel to go up and conquer.
– God is still the one who gives the victory in our battles, and we still need to depend on him, but He also requires us to get into the battle and stand for the right.
– “You are but a poor soldier of Christ if you think you can overcome without fighting, and suppose you can have the crown without the conflict.”
Conclusion:
- Before you get into the battle you need to make sure you are spiritually prepared for the battle. If you aren’t growing through study of the Bible and increasing your spiritual discernment, then you will probably become a casualty of the battle rather than a victor in the battle.
- You can’t win victories if you’re not in the battle. You may be a strong Christian and have a certain measure of spiritual discernment and yet be sitting on the sidelines rather than getting involved in the Lord’s work. There are no battles to be won on the benches, you have to get on the field and fight.