The Day The Sun Stood Still Series

Joshua Series #13

The Amazing Race to Rest & Reward

“The Day the Sun Stood Still” Git er done

I. Purge the Land 1-12

A. God Prepared Joshua for leadership 1

B. Joshua prepared the people to possess the land 2

C. Israel Purged the Canaanites 2-11

1. Central Campaign 6-10

a. Israel defeated Jericho 6

b. Ai defeated Israel 7

c. Israel defeated Ai 8

After the victory over Ai, Joshua carried out a mandate that Moses issued found in the last chapters of Deuteronomy. Moses told them to be sure to gather to review the instructions that he left them. This was to be a special gathering after they had crossed over the Jordan. (Deut 27:1-8) They were to build an altar to the Lord out of unaltered stones on which to sacrifice and give thanks.

Moses also charged the people on that day, saying, "When you cross the Jordan, these shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. For the curse, these shall stand on Mount Ebal: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. Deuteronomy 27:11-13

Here the people gathered to reaffirm their commit to God as His covenant people. Here, they were reminded of the blessings available to those who chose to listen, trust and obey their God and the cursing for failure to comply.

Principle

Continual reminders and affirmations of the truth are necessary for victorious living.

Half the tribes gathered at Mount Ebal and Half at the bottom of Mt Gerizim.

From one side, they verbalized the blessings.

The description of the cursings was much more detailed.

The principle we can learn for our journey is to continually review the truth and renew our commitment to listen, trust and obey God’s word.

d. The Gibeonites deceived Joshua 9

Satan tries to establish a fortress form which to operate. Often he gains a foothold through deception. Israel fell prey to deception because they were careless and failed to consult God.

So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the LORD. Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live; and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them. Joshua 9:14-15

Deception is one of Satan’s chief strategies; so much so, that “deceiver” is one of his names.

He is called the father of lies, the deceiver. Satan’s deception started with the first family.

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3

Satan continually tries to deaden our devotion to Christ through deception and lies. He deceived Eve by convincing her that she could function without dependence on God. She could be god-like without Him. Satan uses people and culture to disseminate his lies. Satan often times tries to come off as a good person and angel of light. He will pretend to be for the truth but stick you with a lie. Satan deceived Eve because he got her to focus on the temporal rather than the eternal. He focused on attaining pleasure, prestige, and possessions apart from God. There is nothing wrong with these things in their right perspective. God promises all of them on HIS terms. It is when we pursue them on our own terms apart from God that we get in trouble.

Our soul gets programed with a myriad of lies from the time we are born. To the degree our view of life does not correspond with the reality taught in Scripture, we find ourselves captive.

David continually addressed his soul and reinforced the truth of God over Satan’s lie. The renewing of the mind is like a renewing of our soul that needs continual reinforcement. Satan holds us captive to his philosophies and world view which does not include God. Paul told the Ephesians that they once lived according to the course of this world; a course dictated by the “Prince of the power of the air”.

Unless we beware of the enemy, we are in extreme danger of being taken captive by his lies.

We will wrestle with decision making

We will suffer depression and anxiety.

We will fall victim to fear in the present and for the future.

We will lose the fight to temptation.

We will continue to struggle in our relationships with others.

The escape comes from abiding in His word. The true disciples of Jesus continue in His word and that interaction with His word brings them to a knowledge of the truth and a knowledge of the truth sets them free from the snare of the devil having been held captive to do his will.