A. APPROACHING THE BATTLE
1. Our battle plan comes from God. “I have given you Jericho, its kings, and all its mighty warriors” (6:2).
“Joshua told the priests to carry the Ark of the Covenant around the city. Have seven priests walk in front carrying a ram’s horn. Have armed men lead the way and follow the procession. Let the priests continually blow the ram’s horn, but do not shout, not a single word. Then return to camp for the night” (6:6-11, Amplified).
2. Know what to do. “March around once” (v. 7).
3. Know what not to do or say. “Neither shall any word come out of your mouth” (v. 10).
4. Walls don’t automatically fall down by obeying one time.
5. Don’t give up when nothing happens when you first obey, or obey one time.
6. Victory takes continual obedience, even when nothing seems to happen.
7. You can’t do the 7th day work, on the 1st day.
8. Don’t quit too soon. “Thus, shall you do for six days” (v. 3).
9. Let the unsaved hear your joy in words and songs.
10. Why didn’t God knock down the walls on the 3rd day? God’s followers needed patience and faith. “Be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promise” (Hebrews 6:12).
11. You must obey on the first lap, to be able to obey on the last lap.
12. Always be on guard because you are soldiers. “Be on guard, because your enemy is always prowling about to eat you up” (1 Peter 5:8, ELT).
“On the seventh day, they got up at dawn and marched around the city as they had previously done, but this time they marched around seven times. After seven times the priest sounded a long blast. Joshua commanded the people to shout as loud as they could. ‘Because God has given you the city’ ... when the horns blasted, the people shouted as loud as they could, and the walls collapsed. Each soldier charged straight ahead from every side and captured the city, completely destroying everything in it” (Joshua 6:15-21, Amplified).
13. God blesses repetitive service done in faith and obedience.
14. Be willing to repeat your obedience to God, even when it seems as if nothing is happening.
15. Since God’s favorite number is 7, then obey 7 times.
16. Get up early with the purpose of serving God.
17. There is power in unified obedience. “Shout together” (v. 20).
18. Victory involves our feet and our mouths.
19. The Jerichos of life will yield to constant work, and hard work.
20. Your obstacles will give in if you don’t give up.
21. The finish line is the most important line of a race.
22. It takes courage to march continually in the face of the enemy.
23. Fighting against sin will keep you pure from sin. “Keep yourself from the accused thing or you will be completely destroyed” (6:18, ELT).
24. There is a difference between a daily blast of the horn, and a victory blast. “On the seventh time ... blew as hard as they could” (6:20, ELT).
25. Being faithful to your promise/vow will be rewarded. “Joshua saved Rahab alive and all her family because she hid the spies” (6:25, ELT).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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