Joshua: Steps to Victory
Partnership: Be Careful who you covenant with
Intro: What is the biggest issue we see in Joshua 9? Trust! Everything in our life comes down to what and who we trust. We need to be reminded that what we see is the smallest portion of reality. We are involved in a spiritual reality that cannot be seen by the physical eye.
Proverbs 14.12 “There is a way that seems right to men but the end of it is death.” Proverbs 3:5,6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t lean on your own understanding.” Our way of seeing and thinking is at best distorted. If we walk by sight we often fail and fall. We are not fighting against flesh and blood but against age old principalities and powers that are more cunning and more powerful than we can imagine. Here in Joshua 9 we also find that the enemy the adversary of old uses people to perpetuate his schemes.
In Joshua 9 we see the great danger of not asking God what we should do and make our decisions based on the way things appear. The devil is a master of deception, distortion, and disruption. We can learn a great principle; never make decisions based on the way things appear.
1) Never forget you are involved in a spiritual war for the souls the people of this planet.
2) We must be clothed in the spiritual armor of God in order to stand.
3) The only offensive weapons we have are prayer (our trust in Christ) and the Word of God.
The devil has a way of attacking openly on the heels of great victory by God’s people. When the people of God get surrendered and united under God’s rule in the Kingdom of God the enemy will unite His forces.
The devil will attack openly. Adrian Rogers once said “if you are not in collision with the Devil or his demons you might be in collusion with him.” How then are partnerships so important? Because those you choose to partner with may be the device the devil uses to distract you from your devotion to Jesus. What then is needed? We need recognition, reliance, and restraint (self-control, self-discipline).
2 Timothy 1.7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
John Calvin gives clear understanding of what Paul is trying to teach Timothy and us.
“He speaks of this power as accompanied by love and self-discipline in order to distinguish the power of the Spirit from the intemperate zeal of fanatics, who rush in with reckless haste and boast that they have the Spirit of God. But the power of the Spirit, the powerful energy of the Spirit, is tempered by love and sobriety. It always has a calm concern for edification.”
How does this Spirit of self-control, love, power become the practicing principle of our life? We must present ourselves to God as living sacrifices. Whatever principles or truth you find encouraged or commanded in the NT put those into practice in your life. (Kabod – The weight or glory of God)
(Is the weight of God’s glory more important than so called walking in freedom.)
Prudence and discretion and acting out God’s will by sound reasoning, literally a call to sound reasoning, moderation and self-control. The Holy Spirit enables us to have this transformation. If we abide in Jesus and his word we will abound in transformation. But realize the more transformation happens in your life the more opposition you will face.
I. Opposition (The devil as a devouring lion)
It is amazing how having a common enemy can unite people. It happened with all the people of Canaan.
Jesus brought the reign of God and true righteousness to the religious of His day. What did that do to the Sadducees, Pharisees, and Herodians? It united them around a common enemy. Jesus and the Kingdom rule of God.
A) Sadducees – Only accepted the law of Moses (the first 5 books of the Bible) and their social standing. Were liberal in the sense they were willing to Hellenism or Greek culture into their lives.
B) Pharisees – Believed they were the only righteous ones. Were concerned with the people receiving holiness through study of the Torah and interpretation in the Talmud.
The Sadducees were concerned with social status and standing and the Pharisees with requiring people to follow rules of righteousness. What should they and we be concerned with? We as the body of Christ at Immanuel should have the Kingdom of Christ as the focus of our life and ministry. Why?
If we focus on social issues we lose focus on the Kingdom rule of Christ. If we focus merely on the word of God and forget that Jesus told us to live the principles and truth of His word we again miss the Kingdom rule of Christ.
The people of Canaan were not just resisting the invasion of a people but they were resisting the advancement of the Kingdom of God. Israel was to be the light of God to the world. There were to carry the weight (kabod) of God to the nations.
Kingdom is a very interesting word. We as westerners and Americans more specifically do not have an appreciation of monarchy. In fact everything within our independent, individualized culture wants to throw off all authority. How dare they tell me I can’t? Who does that police officer think he is giving me a ticket? How dare they require I show up at work on time. What right do my parents have telling me what to do? Our nature as fallen people and Westerners is to cast off as much authority, rule, the man as we can.
Funny thing is Jesus’ message to seek and save that which was lost centered on the rule of God in the lives of man.
Luke 4.43 “I must preach the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”
Mark 1.15 “The time has come,” He said. “The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Matthew 4:17 “From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
Jesus taught us to pray for the coming of His Kingdom on earth
Question to ask. Are you in opposition to the Kingdom rule of Christ? (explain)
II. Deception (deceiving serpent)
Those he cannot devour he will put massive energy and effort into deceiving. Deception is probably the most effective tool the devil has in his arsenal. Has God said? This was deception.
We can be hard on the Gibeonites or we can admire them for doing exactly what it took to survive. However just because God allows something to be communicated in His word doesn’t mean He condones it.
Why do people deceive?
A) Dislike of who they are
B) Desire to change their position or situation –
C) Distortion of God’s character
Revelation 21:8 “But the cowards, unbelievers, vile, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
The Gibeonites came to Joshua and Israel saying they wanted to respect God’s great name but you can’t do that while practicing deceit. One of the quickest ways you can know someone by their fruit is if they practice deceit.
God clearly warns us that deception is destructive. It is destructive in all areas of life. Proverbs 20.23 “The Lord despises double standards; he is not pleased by dishonest scales.”
Whether it is scales or tales God despises deceit, dishonesty, or distortion of the truth. It is against His character and destructive to our relationship to God and others. Fear is the root of dishonesty. We do not have to be afraid of the consequences when we freely speak and walk according to the truth.
III. Decision
A) The mistake (Joshua 9.14-15)
They did not consult God. This was a lapse in their trust of the Living Lord.
Warren Wiersbe, “We don’t seek God’s will like customers who look at options but like servants who listen for orders.”
FB Meyer “Before entering into any alliance—taking a partner in life, going into business with another, yielding assent to any proposition which involves confederation with others—be sure to ask counsel at the mouth of the Lord. He will assuredly answer by an irresistible impulse—by the voice of a friend; by a circumstance strange and unexpected; by a passage of Scripture. He will choose His own messenger; but He will send a message.”
B) The correction (Joshua 9.18-22)
Joshua and the elders made a mistake. However they corrected it by keeping their commitment before God to the Gibeonites.
C) The intervention
The Gibeonites were put to work hauling wood and water for the priests and because of that were exposed to the worship of the real and living God. They were later called the Nethinim. According to Ezra 2.43-58, 8.20 500Nethinim return to Jerusalem after the Babylonian Captivity.
What can we learn from the deception of the Gibeonites and the mistakes of Joshua and Israel.
1) There is no mistake or misstep that God cannot overrule for our good.
2) Not consulting God leaning on our understanding leads to huge consequences
3) Even though God forgives our sin and mistakes we still have to live with the consequences.
4) No matter what the situation looks like always consult God
5) Be faithful to your commitments and let God take care of the problems
6) Do not make quick decisions about partnerships
7) Test the spirits to see if they are truly of God
Conclusion: Jesus said the “Truth will set you free.” That first means that believing, trusting in Jesus and His finished work sets you free from sin. It also means that living in the truth will set you free. When you trust Christ you no longer have to fear the consequences of telling and living the truth.
