THE CANAAN CONQUEST – PART FOUR
TRAINING CAMP: PREPARING FOR BATTLE
Joshua 5:1-13 - ©Dr. Larry L. Thompson (2007)
Introduction:
Today is SUPER BOWL SUNDAY and it is the culmination of the NFL season when the WORLD CHAMPION COLTS will be crowned right here in South Florida! Sorry for the personal endorsement but that’s the team I’m pulling for tonight.
What is amazing is when you consider how much these teams have gone through to get to this point when the CONQUEST will determine the VICTOR of the NFL. It actually all began last June. The Colts and Bears actually began the same why ever other NFL team began. They started with their TRAINING CAMP. You can’t get to the SUPER BOWL unless first you are willing to go through training camp. Well, as we continue our sermon series “THE CANAAN CONQUEST” today we find God’s team headed to training camp. You would think that crossing the Jordan would have been all the preparation this team needed but when God’s your coach, He will insure your are ready and He will insist that you play be His rules and according to HIS GAME PLAN!
“Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until we had crossed over, their hearts melted and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.” Jos 5:1
This verse tells us that the pagan nations in Canaan saw the powerful manner in which the Lord brought His children through the Jordan and that they were totally demoralized by these events. It would appear that this would be the perfect time for Joshua to lead the people forward into the attack. However, instead of commanding His people to take the field, God directs them instead to TRAINING CAMP! On the surface it doesn’t make sense but: God’s ways are not always our ways: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
God never gets in a hurry! Before the battle ever begins in the physical realm, it has already begun in the spiritual realm. God’s battles are spiritual battles. If we expect to fight in these battles and do well, then we must make the right kind of spiritual preparations and that means OUR VICTORY WILL COME FROM WHAT WE LEARNED IN OUR TRAINING CAMP:
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)
What God did for Israel, He wants to do in our lives today. We must go through His Training Camp and take time to make spiritual preparations.
Israel ‘appeared’ ready for the battle. They possessed a large army and they faced an enemy that was terrified at their presence. However, God knew that they would never be ready to fight and win the battle until the proper spiritual preparations had been made. That is what today’s biblical truth is all about!
In today’s SUPER BOWL, both the Colts and Bears have made the necessary preparations they feel are essential for them to experience the ultimate conquest today. They have a goal. On the field, for those of us who will be watching by television, we will see the superimposed “FIRST DOWN MARKER” that television gives us to let us know how far our team has to go to gain the necessary momentum that will take them to the end zone and ultimately to the victory. TODAY WE HAVE ALSO PROVIDED YOU WITH THE GOD MARKER that will allow you to see how you are doing in God’s training camp as you prepare for the victories in your own life. (Show superimposed marker) It all begins with a…
I. COMMITMENT TO THE TEAM (v. 2-7)
“At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again." 3 So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth. 4 Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt--all the men of military age--died in the desert on the way after leaving Egypt. 5 All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the desert during the journey from Egypt had not. 6 The Israelites had moved about in the desert forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the LORD. For the LORD had sworn to them that they would not see the land that he had solemnly promised their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. 7 So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way.” Joshua 5:2-7 (NIV)
The first command the Lord gives to Israel is that all the man are to be circumcised. Remember, all the men who came out of Egypt were circumcised according to the demands of the Abrahamic covenant. However, those men who were born during the 40 years of wilderness wandering had not been circumcised. There was 40 years of wandering and waiting in the wilderness while the rebellious generation was dying off. Now, before this generation can claim their Canaan, they must show their commitment and identification with the Lord if they want the victory.
The lesson for us is simple: just as Israel was required to remove from their bodies a piece of flesh as a sign that they were a part of the covenant, so too, we must remove from our lives anything that stands between us and total surrender to the Lord. There are times when we must engage in spiritual surgery in our lives.
“Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." 18 "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 (NIV)
To the Jewish people, circumcision was a reminder of their commitment; that they were a "marked people." They were to never forget that they were the servants of the living God and that they were under obligation to obey Him in all things. Circumcision was to be the outward reminder of an inward work of faith!
“Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.” Deut. 10:16 BOTTOM LINE: IF YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD THEN YOU ARE CALLED TO LIVE LIKE A CHILD OF GOD!
Today is the time for you to make certain you have made your commitment to Christ. Get back in fellowship with the Father and serve Him like you know you should. Remember the vows you made to Him when you became a believer? It is time that you lived like you are who you claim to be! (Use illustration of Manny Wright, Offensive Lineman for the Dolphins who signed the commitment contract but quit because it was too difficult)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
GOD MARKER: “Have you made your commitment to His team or do you need to renew your commitment this morning?”
II. CONFIDENCE IN OUR COACH (v.8)
“And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed.” Joshua 5:8 (NIV)
Think about this for a moment: Israel is now camping in the very heart of enemy territory. The Lord has directed ever male to be circumcised which means that every male in the nation of Israel is temporarily disabled and is rendered unable to fight. It took great CONFIDENCE and faith for them to submit to this part of their TRAINING CAMP! They had to have confidence that their Lord would protect them until they healed. However, their confidence expressed in their faith was the secret to their success. The people learned the valuable lesson: Our battles will not be won by our might, wisdom or strength but because we know and have confidence in our Coach! The Lord will give victory to those who trust and rest in His word.
KEY SPIRITUAL TRUTH: Following many great victories there are great times of testing. Our coach knows that pride has the potential to rise up in us and we think we are unstoppable. When those times come in your life and mine the Lord will allow us to go through a time of testing.
We can NOT forget: When God’s people aren’t able to take care of themselves; HE is more than able. Notice just a few examples of this in God’s word!
• Noah was protected in the Ark while all humanity perished - Gen. 6-9
• The firstborn of Israel were spared while the Egyptian children died - Ex. 12.
• Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were spared from the fire - Dan. 3.
• Daniel was spared from the hungry lion - Dan. 6.
• Elijah was fed by the ravens and the by a poor widow - 1 Kings 17.
TRUTH: The Lord will take care of you during the difficult times of life. He is still God and He is still able to all that you need. His one requirement is that you have confidence in your COACH.
GOD MARKER: “Do you have confidence in the Lord today; are you trusting Him to care for you and give you the victory in your life?”
III. CORRECT OUR MISTAKES (v.9)
“Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." So the place has been called Gilgal to this day.” Joshua 5:9 (NIV)
The term "reproach of Egypt" has reference to two events during Israel’s wanderings in the desert wilderness.
• They make/worship a golden calf. (Ex. 32:1-12)
• They demonstrate unbelief and lack of faith at Kadesh-Barnea in their refusal to enter the Promised Land and possess what God had given. Num. 14:11-14
On both occasions, the Lord threatened to destroy the nation of Israel and start fresh with Moses. And, both times Moses interceded and the Lord relented. However, now they are in the land and God has proven that He is able to bring His people into their possession. He tells them that He has rolled that reproach away! In other words: Their past mistakes are no longer an issue. It was a new day!
Some of you today are still living under the "reproach of Egypt;” living with the shame of things you did before you came to faith in Christ, or you may be ashamed of times when you have failed the Lord since you trusted Him.
Let me remind you today of a great promise: If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ for eternal life then you can be certain your past is no longer an issue!
Do me a favor and read these verses out load with me from our screens:
• “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalms 103:12 (NIV)
• “Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In Your love You kept me from the pit of destruction; You have put all my sins behind Your back.” Isaiah 38:17 (NIV)
• “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” Isaiah 43:25 (NIV)
• “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
The reproach; the mistakes of the old life has been removed forever if you have confessed and repented of your sin!
God is telling us what He told Israel: Yesterday is forever gone and you are to walk in the victory of today, rather than live in the defeat of yesterday. You will never be able to taste the thrill of victory until you come to realize that the Lord has forgiven your past!
GOD MARKER: “Have you allowed the Lord to forgive you and put your past mistakes behind you?”
REVIEW: I. Renew our Commitment; II. Reaffirm our Confidence; III. Release our Condemnation…and next…
IV. CONSIDER OUR PAST (v.10-12)
“On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. 11 The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. 12 The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan.” Joshua 5:10-12 (NIV)
I thought it was interesting that both coaches form the Colts and the Bears took time in their preparation this week to remind their team of their legacy and the rich heritage they enjoyed and the victories won by those who played the game before them. Now we see that same picture in this verse.
We find Israel remembering their past and once again keeping the feast of the Passover. They first observed it when they were still in Egypt, Ex. 9-14. They also celebrated it at Mount Sinai before they left for Kadesh-Barnea, Num. 9:1-14. However, there is no biblical evidence that they had celebrated the Passover in past 40 years. The fact is this generation couldn’t because of the Abrahamic covenant regarding circumcision!
Let’s remember how important it is to consider our spiritual past. Remember the Passover! When the Lord sent the 10th plague, the death of the firstborn, upon Egypt, He told His people to select a lamb, kill it, put its blood on the door posts and lintels of their houses and then cook and eat the lamb. When the Lord passed through Egypt that night, He would see the blood on their doors and would "pass over" those protected homes and the firstborn would live. Israel was commanded at that time, to make this a yearly feast. They were to remember that night when they were passed over by the Lord and spared from the plague of death. They were to remember that it was that night in which the Lord had delivered them from their bondage in Egypt. The Passover was a time for God’s people to remember the deliverance of the Lord!
Now in TRAINING CAMP and in preparation for their big battles they are reminded to CONSIDER THEIR PAST and celebrate the Passover. They are to remember that God delivered them from their enemy and provided for them their every need.
What is the truth for us in this passage? When we face the battles of life, we must CONSIDER the great victories the Lord has given us in our past. Remember…
1. He called us in love.
2. He saved us by His grace.
3. He forgave our all our sin.
4. He kept us when we fell.
5. He conquered our enemies.
6. He gave us victory when there was no hope.
7. He answered our prayers.
We must not only remember God’s commitment to us but we must also remember our commitment to God!
“The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. 12 The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan.” (v.11-12)
For 40 years they had eaten manna every day. However, when they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan, the manna ceased.
The Passover reminded Israel that God had brought them out of Egypt, but the manna was constant reminded of what they had left behind in the wilderness! Remember the manna came to them as a result of their longing to return to Egypt.
“The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” Exodus 16:3 (NIV)
You see, it was easy for God to bring His people out of Egypt, but TRAINING CAMP WAS ALSO TO INSURE THAT God get Egypt out of His people.
Far too many Christians are just like the Israelites. We have an appetite for the things of the world just like Israel did for the things of Egypt. God help us to develop a hunger for the harvest of our inheritance. God didn’t save us to satisfy our hunger with the things of the world.
GOD MARKER: “Have you taken time to consider your past and remember the legacy the Lord has provided for you today?” Finally…
V. CONQUEST BEGINS WITH YOUR QUARTERBACK (v.13-15)
“Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?" 14 "Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?" 15 The commander of the LORD’s army replied, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.” Joshua 5:13-15 (NIV)
The final stop in our TRAINING Camp is to insure we go into this battle with the RIGHT QUARTERBACK! As Israel prepares to conquer our Canaan, it must be certain of this fact: who is calling the plays; who is in control of our lives.
Joshua was looking over the city of Jericho, he saw a man standing with a drawn sword. Joshua boldly asked the man to identify himself and to state which side he was on! When the man responded, He said that He was the Captain of the Lord’s Host. He told Joshua that He did not come to take sides, but to take over! He was in control of the Lord’s armies in Heaven and in the earth. He told Joshua that He was in charge. General Joshua had just met the Commander in Chief! Joshua’s response is to fall down before Him and to worship Him. This is an indication that Joshua is submitting to the will of the Lord and that acknowledging Who is in control.
Before you can conquer, you must first be conquered! We must do what Joshua did right here. A crucial step on the road to victory is learning to relinquish leadership to the will of the Lord! He is Lord and we are His servants. Therefore, what He says must be followed to the letter.
God is telling Joshua that he does not have to fight the battles alone. He is even telling Joshua that the battles are not his responsibility. The Lord is the Captain of the Army of God and He is present to direct the battle and to give the victory!
Just as David told Goliath, "the battle is the Lord’s", 1 Sam. 17:47. Get on your face before the Lord, seek the Lord’s will for the battle and let Him lead you to victory!
Conclusion:
GOD MARKER: Have you completed your training camp and are you ready to conquer your Canaan this morning? Use this checklist…
• Have you made a commitment to the Lord’s Team?
• Are you willing to have confidence in allowing the Lord to be Coach of your life?
• Can you allow Him to forgive your past mistakes?
• Are you willing to consider the great legacy of victory God has given to you?
• Have you made the decision to allow Him to quarterback your life and call the plays?
GOD MARKER: “If your answer is yes then you are ready for the real SUPER BOWL in life and taste a victory that will never end!”
