The Battle Belongs To The Lord

“The Battle Belongs to the Lord”

Jericho: Joshua 6

Joshua sermon 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwkDQaRzXg0

The battle of Jericho wasn't much of a battle:

According to Joshua chapter 6,

Joshua and the people did what God told them to do and

God did the rest.

The Israelites merely:

stood back and watched

God bring down the walls of this heavily fortified city

that stood at the threshold of the Promised Land.

God is specific in the details he gives to Joshua:

“And the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. 3 You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. 4 Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5 And when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.” Joshua 6:2-5

What did God tell the people to do?

- He told them to march around the city silently

- they were to do that 6 days and

- on the 7th day they were to yell

1. The Ark of Covenant would lead the way

- the Ark represented God’s presence

- in front of the Ark were 7 priests carry Rams horns

The video didn’t mention this:

- but the priest were to blast their horns

- one days 1 - 6 as well as day 7

When I was in the band:

- and we were marching

- there was a specific order the band director

- had us march

- flute went in the front, then clarinets

- saxophone, trombone, trumpets, tubas

- were all in a specific marching order.

God had a specific marching order too:

- forward guard marched in front

- followed by 7 trumpet playing priests

- followed by the Ark of the Covenant

- followed by the rear guard walking behind the Ark

- followed by the regular army of Israel

Remember that the Ark represented God’s presence

2. The point was clear: The Lord would be leading this battle.

The Lord would go first

The battle belonged to the Lord

So did the victory

“Then Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord. 13 And the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the Lord walked on, and they blew the trumpets continually. And the armed men were walking before them, and the rear guard was walking after the ark of the Lord, while the trumpets blew continually. 14 And the second day they marched around the city once, and returned into the camp. So they did for six days.” Joshua 6:12-14

The Israelites had patience:

- for 6 days they marched around the city

- 6 days of priests blasting trumpets

- 6 days of carrying the Ark of the Covenant

- MEANWHILE NOTHING seems to be is happening

It’s not until the 7th day that anything happens:

- this reminds me of a man named Naman

Naaman was known as a“commander of the army of the king of Aram.”:

He was a “valiant soldier, but he had leprosy” (2 Kings 5:1).

A young girl who served Naaman’s wife said that her "master" could cure Naaman

The prophet Elisha arrived and told Naaman to dip himself seven times in the Jordan River.

Naaman was not happy with this suggestion:

but he listened to the prophet and was healed.

Naaman obeyed and his flesh was restored

Something was happening:

- When the Israelites marched around Jericho day after day

- when Naaman dipped himself in the water time and time again

- what was happening?

2 Things were happening:

1. They were being faithful

2. They were waiting on the Lord...

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

3. Waiting on the Lord is a Bible principle.

- it means that we will do what God says

- until He says differently

- Essentially this is “FAITHFULNESS”

Part of FAITHFULNESS:

- is trusting God’s timing

- It is being patient in regular obedience