The Israelites are ready to get into the taking of the land. I find it funny that God says to Joshua “See, I have delivered
Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.” (Josh 6:2)
I’m not sure that Joshua could see it. It was before they had started the attack. How could he see it?
The cliché answer is Faith in God. Yeh he had faith that God would do what he said. But think about it. This is a big, walled city with no way in. How is it going to happen? Faith in God. I’m not sure about you but even doing what God wants can be a bit stressful at times. But to say Joshua “See, I have delivered
Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.”
Seems a bit over the top. But we need to put it into perspective. Joshua had seen God work, and all that God did, he told him he would in advance. Joshua was used to getting snatches of prophecy about his life. And there was this promise. “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” Faith in God yeh, but faith in a God he knew would come up with the deal.He had learnt to listen to God.
2. But what a way to take a city. Walking round in circles. Once for 6 days and then on the 7th walk around 7 times and shout. Why didn’t the Americans and British try this in
Bagdad. I mean, a lot less hassle. I think it was a bit frustrating for Joshua and the army, although they still may not have been up to full fitness because of their circumcision. We don’t know how long after this was but it is only one chapter, although we don’t have a time length for one chapter in the bible.
Think about it, all these fighting men, and they get to walk around the city – quietly. I imagine the Jerichoites on the wall yelling, “What are you doing you silly Israelite people, can’t you talk” or maybe “What are you doing you looneys”.
But they had to be quiet. Why? Cause God said so. They had seen God work, they knew He was up to something. Not only did Joshua have faith, faith had been instilled in the people. Notice – even the kids!!!!! How did they keep them quiet?A people of God, doing what God says – could bring the walls down. Now here is a principle for us to live by. A lot of people have spoken to me about church growth over the years, and how to get more young people to church. The reason fo r their enquiry of me about this is because when a youth Pastor at Bel Air Baptist in the early 90’s we had a huge amount of kids at church – 200 plus in the youth group. The people want to know if we did this program or that would more would come, or if the music was newer more would come or if the music was hymn, others would come, a lot of valid questions but That’s all a lot of tripe. If we as a people of God, did what God wanted, the walls would fall down, figuratively speaking. People, young people will come and they do. They are attracted to God’s people. One thing I read , actually it used to be on my notice board in my office in Armidale. Ian Duncan, the previous Pastor left it behind stuck on the wall. It was a photocopy from a research papars a graph titled “What brings people to church” and it showed these figures:1.5% of people come to church because they were visited.1.5% because they had a need2.5% because they walked in2.5% because of the programs run (Hey, there is as much chance that someone will just walk off the street as if there is a program happening.4.5% because of Sunday School5.5% because the pastor is coolbut get this81.5% because they were invited.
If we are fairdinkum about this church, or actually the
kingdom of
God growing, we need to personally invite people to church. So the next time some one comes up with a great program I’ll say great, but don’t forget to ask people to come. Jesus invited his disciples – ever notice that. Andrew invited his brother to meet Jesus, the invitations continue.
Just like the Israelites had to do the walking, we have got to get involved with what God wants us to do. God can and does amazing miracles. But God is so good to us, He lets us be involved in ministry. He let’s us be part of the program. Just like the Israelites. They walked, God used them.We need to keep walking.
3. Notice that the defeating the city was not to be a status symbol for them. JOS 6:24 Then they burned the whole city and everything in it, but they put the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the LORD’s house. They had to kill everything and by doing so, offer it to God. It was kind of like the offerings we give. In the bible there is a thing called a tithe. Which means a tenth. The Israelites had to give a tenth of the earnings to God. It was actually how the priests made their living. This city was to be kind of like that. Notice that before they got anything from the land, they had to give it to God. For us, that would be like the first thing we do is putting money in the bag. Or arranging that the bank takes it out of our account and put it in the church bank before we even see it. This is God’s to use as he wants. But why is this important? Because it is obedience to God. God wanted it this way. I thought about it during the week and I think it shows we are serious about God if we give Him what we have. I went to Baptist Assembly and revive convention meeting last week and Brian Winslade said something like this “Make your calendar and your cheque book available for evangelism other wise you aren’t serious about evangelism.” That’s pretty true isn’t it. We show what is important by what we give our time and our money to. Imagine if these Israelite guys wanted to go sightseeing instead of doing the walking. What would have happened? Probably nothing. Our first obedience is shown in our dealings with our possessions particularly our money.
4. God kept his promise.It happened just as God said it would. Not just for Joshua but Rahab, Remember her, She was the prostitute lady who helped out the guys who went to check out
Jericho. Look what it says.JOS 6:22 Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the prostitute’s house and bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to her.” 23 So the young men who had done the spying went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of
Israel.We have an amazing God who can deliver what HE promises. And who remembers. I would have forgotten all about Rahab, but not God. The walls fell down, but not her house. God protected her, just like He said He would. (6:17)Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. There are so many promises that God will protect, be with us, do for us, love us in the bible that God will deliver on. It is us who forgets how good God is. So Good that He gave us a relationship with Jesus. Promise kept. Notice God doesn’t promise an easy time – just to be with us, yeh protect us, and keep us but not to make it easy.
God still keeps promises. He promises never to leave us or forsake us. That means He wont leave us when life is tough, that he wont ignore our needs or forget us.
But just as God still keeps his promises, he still has expectations of us. The Israelites had to do what He said. Then get blessed. They did it because they knew God wanted to bless them. God wants to bless us. So we need to take notice of the expectations.
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