The Thrill Of Victory - Joshua 3 and 4 - September 10, 2006

Sunday school Lesson – The Thrill of Victory – September 10, 2006

This is lesson two (2) in our series on Joshua about leadership.

Last week we prepared to enter the Promised Land. This week we enter.

Let’s review:

Joshua 1:1-5 – 1 After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua[1] = The Lord Will Save, or The Lord Is Salvation; Joshua is related to the name Jesus. son of Nun, who had served Moses: 2 “Moses My servant is dead.[2] Dt 34:5–8 Now you and all the people prepare to cross over the Jordan to the land I am giving the Israelites. 3 I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads, just as I promised Moses.[3] Dt 11:24 4 Your territory will be from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great Euphrates River—all the land of the Hittites—and west to the Mediterranean Sea.[4] Lit and to the Great Sea, the going down of the sun [5] Dt 11:24 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or forsake you.[6] Heb 13:5

After the death of Moses, GOD chose Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. GOD reconfirmed to Joshua the boundaries of the Promised Land. Last week we compared the journey of the Israelites to our journey with the LORD. JESUS, in the great commission, confirmed the boundaries of our Promised Land, the world. Just as GOD confirmed to the Israelites that HE would never leave them nor forsake them, JESUS tells us that HE will be with us always until the end of the age.

Joshua 1:6-9 – 6 “Be strong and courageous,[7] Jos 1:7,9,18; 10:25; Dt 31:7 for you will distribute the land I swore to their fathers to give them as an inheritance.[8] Gn 15:18; Ex 32:13 7 Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. 8 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night, so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. 9 Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous?[9] Jos 1:6–7,18; 10:25; Dt 31:7 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

GOD tells Joshua to be strong and courageous because he is going to lead the Israelites. We as Christians are also leading family, friends and others into the Promised Land and need to be spiritually prepared. As a Christian, we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We are leaders whether we like it or not. Who better for us to lead than our family and friends? We are to be an example.

GOD instructed Joshua to “obey the law Moses gave you and not to deviate from it to the left or to the right but to meditate on it day and night.” We must keep our eyes upon JESUS as we enter into the Promised Land. We need to move from a performance mode, doing it in our own strength, to an abiding/obedient/trusting mode.

This is why we, as Christians, must have the relationship with our LORD through the indwelling of the HOLY SPIRIT. It is GOD and HIS power being manifested through our lives as we live in obedience to HIS will and purpose. Joshua and the Israelites had GOD “with” them but we have GOD “in” us. GOD spoke to Joshua and the people trusted that GOD was speaking to Joshua and took action accordingly. As we get our orders from GOD through the HOLY SPIRIT, we take action.

In Joshua 1:10-11 - 10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people: 11 “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get provisions ready for yourselves, for within three days you will be crossing the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you to inherit.’ ”

Even though we have the HOLY SPIRIT “in us” we need to be prepared to enter into the Promised Land. Are we willing for the LORD to tear down and conquer the strongholds and bad habits in our lives?

In Joshua 3:5 - 5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, because the Lord will do wonders among you tomorrow.”

Even though we have CHRIST “in us”, we also need to ask the LORD to search our hearts to see if there is any sin, evil, or wrong doing that needs to be identified and confessed. When we are about to enter the Promised Land, we need to have no chink in our amour that makes us vulnerable to the enemy.

Joshua 1:12- 15 - 12 Joshua said to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh: 13 “Remember what Moses the Lord’s servant commanded you when he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest, and He will give you this land.’[10] Dt 3:18–20 14 Your wives, young children, and livestock may remain in the land Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan.[11] East of the Jordan River But your fighting men must cross over in battle formation[12] Or over armed ahead of your brothers[13] Fellow Israelites and help them 15 until the Lord gives our brothers rest, as [He has given]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. you, and they too possess the land the Lord your God is giving them. You may then return to the land of your inheritance and take possession of what Moses the Lord’s servant gave you on the east side of the Jordan.”

Verse 12 tells us that some of the Israelites worked it out with Moses to stay on the east side of the Jordan River. Some of us can help others enter and dwell in the Promised Land. Those who are able can go, help and return. Half of the tribe of Manasseh chose to go west into the Promised Land and the other half chose to stay east of the Jordan. Moses agreed to this arrangement, provided those capable of fighting among the half that remained, helped the half that chose to go and conquer and dwell in the Promised Land.


Our background scripture is Joshua 3:7-17 and Joshua 4:1-24.

Our focus scripture is Joshua 4:1-9, 10-18 and 19-24.

Today we will study the victory in being obedient to our LORD and remembering that victory.

In our Christian journey it is often more difficult for us to handle a victory than a defeat. With a victory or a series of victories, we have to be careful of our attitude. Victory can feed our human nature and we begin to expect victory over everything that comes our way. Then it is easy for our attitude to change so that we become independent of GOD and self begins to rule. We can become cocky or flippant. This is why we must have and maintain a loving intimate relationship with our LORD as HE works mightily through us and maintains proper balance in our lives. We must keep in mind that it is GOD and HIS power working through us and not our power.

Last week we discussed entering the Promised Land. The Promised Land is a land flowing with milk and honey and luscious fruit. There are also giants in the Promised Land and well fortified walled cities that must be conquered.

GOD had specific instructions about what to do when conquering each area in the Promised Land. This will be true when we conquer the strongholds, human natures, notions and habits in our life as we enter the Promised Land.

Let’s read some background Scripture. GOD gave specific instructions about what they were to do when they conquered each area in the Promised Land. Let’s consider those instructions, as Christians, when we enter our Promised Land:

- Numbers 33:50-53, 55-56:

50 The Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan [across from]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. Jericho, 51 “Tell the Israelites: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 52 you must drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you, destroy all their stone images[39] Lv 26:1; Ezk 8:12 and cast images,[40] Ex 32:4,8; 34:17; Lv 19:4; Dt 27:15 and demolish all their • high places. 53 You are to take possession of the land and settle in it because I have given you the land[41] Gn 12:7; 15:18; 24:7; 35:12 to possess. ------------- 55 But if you don’t drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, those you allow to remain will become thorns in your eyes and in your sides; they will harass you in the land where you will live. 56 And what I had planned to do to them, I will do to you.”[42] Dt 28:15

Who inhabits your Promised Land?

We all have natures, some are good and some are not so good. We have human natures which are driven and controlled by self and we have spiritual natures which result from being born-again through our LORD JESUS CHRIST and the work of the HOLY SPIRIT.

Vices in scripture: Virtues in scripture:
Sexual Immorality Love
Impurity Joy
Lust Peace
Hatred Patience
Discord Kindness
Jealousy Goodness
Anger Faithfulness
Selfish ambition Gentleness
Dissension Self-control
Arrogance
Envy
Murder
Idolatry
Witchcraft
Drunkenness
Wild Living
Cheating
Adultery
Homosexuality
Greed
Stealing
Lying

These are some of the well fortified areas in our lives that will need to be conquered. Once the HOLY SPIRIT identifies an area which needs to be conquered, we must conquer it completely and not hang onto a single remnant or else it will raise its’ head again in our lives.

If you have something in your past, do not be discouraged.

Let’s look at Joshua 2:1 - 1 Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two men as spies from Acacia Grove,[1] Or from Shittim saying, “Go and scout the land, especially Jericho.” So they left, and they came to the house of a woman, a prostitute named Rahab, and stayed there.

Rahab is a prostitute and is also in the ancestry of JESUS. GOD used Rahab because GOD knew Rahab’s heart. Notice in Joshua 2:8-11:

8 Before the men fell asleep, she went up on the roof 9 and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that dread of you has fallen on us, and everyone who lives in the land is panicking because of you.[2] Or land panics at your approach 10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the waters of the • Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt,[3] Ex 14:21–30 and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings you • completely destroyed[4] Nm 21:23–30, 33–35; Dt 2:32–34; 3:1–3 across the Jordan. 11 When we heard this, we lost heart, and everyone’s courage failed[5] Lit and spirit no longer remained in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below.

Notice Rahab’s statement of faith in GOD, “I know” – “For the Lord Your God is God in heaven above and on earth below.”

Do not let your past rule your future. In CHRIST we have been forgiven of our sins. HE has cleansed us and made us righteous in HIM. Romans 3:23 tells us - 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Rahab, because of her profession, lived in the wall of the city. She was an outcast. Hebrews 11:30-31 tells us - 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

WOW! The walls fell down. GOD destroyed Rahab’s house. Do you think she changed her profession after she saw GOD’S power at work? I believe she did.

GOD uses us all, regardless of our past. The important thing for us to remember is, “What do we do for the LORD from this moment on?” Do we serve our LORD in obedience or do we let our past dictate our future?

Additional background leading to our scripture study – Joshua 3:7-17:

Joshua 3:7-8:

7 The Lord spoke to Joshua: “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so they will know that I will be with you just as I was with Moses. 8 Command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the waters,[4] Lit waters of the Jordan stand in the Jordan.’ ”

GOD assured Joshua that HE would let him and the Israelites know that HE is the ONE WHO will give fight the battles and give the victory. As Christians the HOLY SPIRIT confirms in our hearts that we are the children of GOD. We are the ark and the HOLY SPIRIT WHO confirms in our heart that GOD is “in us”. We are standing at the waters edge of our Promised Land are we willing to place our feet into the water?

Joshua 3:9-17

9 Then Joshua told the Israelites, “Come closer and listen to the words of the Lord your God.” 10 He said, “You will know that the living God is among you and that He will certainly dispossess before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites 11 when the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth goes ahead of you into the Jordan. 12 Now choose 12 men from the tribes of Israel, one man for each tribe. 13 When the feet[5] Lit soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, come to rest in the Jordan’s waters, its waters will be cut off. The water flowing downstream will stand up [in]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. a mass.” 14 When the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of the people. 15 Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan, their feet touched the water at its edge 16 and the water flowing downstream stood still, rising up [in]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. a mass that extended as far as[6] Alt Hb tradition reads mass at Adam, a city next to Zarethan. The water flowing downstream into the Sea of the • Arabah (the Dead Sea) was completely cut off, and the people crossed opposite Jericho. 17 The priests carrying the ark of the Lord’s covenant stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed on dry ground until the entire nation had finished crossing the Jordan.

Who is occupying your Promised Land? GOD will show you. As you enter the Promised Land, HE will confirm HIS presence in you.

This is in the spring of the year. In spring the Jordan River is at flood stage. It is the worst time to cross the river. GOD wants all to know it is HIM WHO is the ONE WHO stops the flow of the water. The river is overflowing its banks. As long as the priests stand and look at the raging river, it rages on, but the moment they are obedient and place their foot into the river, the river stops flowing. The priests are walking on dry ground and stand firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan until all are safely across the Jordan. GOD uses this miracle to confirm to the Israelites that HE is with Joshua and with them.

Can you imagine standing firm knowing that a wall of water is up stream? But we have to remember that the Israelites had been told and even some had experienced GOD parting the Red Sea. GOD had already given them a remembrance of miracles to recall during this time of obedience. Soon they would have another time of remembrance of GOD’S power working in their lives and history.

FATHER I ask that YOU confirm in each person’s heart, which has chosen to enter in the Promised Land, YOUR presence.

Let’s read Joshua 4:1-9:
The Memorial Stones
1 After the entire nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord spoke to Joshua, 2 “Choose 12 men from the people, one man for each tribe, 3 and command them, ‘Take 12 stones from this place in the middle of the Jordan where the priests’ feet are standing, carry them with you, and set them down at the place where you spend the night.’ ” 4 So Joshua summoned the 12 men selected from the Israelites, one man for each tribe, 5 and said to them, “Go across to the ark of the Lord your God in the middle of the Jordan. Each of you lift a stone onto his shoulder, one for each[1] Lit shoulder according to the number of the Israelite tribes, 6 so that this will be a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 7 you should tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off in front of the ark of the Lord’s covenant. When it crossed the Jordan, the Jordan’s waters were cut off.’ Therefore these stones will always be a memorial for the Israelites.” 8 The Israelites did just as Joshua had commanded them. The 12 men took stones from the middle of the Jordan, one for each[2] Lit Jordan according to the number of the Israelite tribes, just as the Lord had told Joshua. They carried them to the camp and set them down there. 9 Joshua also set up 12 stones in the middle of the Jordan where the priests[3] Lit feet of the priests who carried the ark of the covenant were standing. The stones are there to this day.

This is a day GOD wanted them to remember, not only for those crossing the Jordan that day, but for generations to come. So HE instructed Joshua to select a representative from each of the 12 tribes to gather a stone from where the priests were standing in the dry river bed. These are stones of remembrance to mark this miracle. GOD wanted these stones to remind generations to come of the miracle HE performed that day.

There are times GOD will give us stones or milestones of remembrances as we journey with HIM. These stones of remembrance may be specific scriptures that HE has revealed to us. It can be a specific revelation of truth or a miracle or just the still small voice assuring us that HE is with us. As a preacher of years ago would say, “You have to practice in the dark what you have learned in the light.”

The greatest stones of remembrances are the birth of CHRIST, HIS sinless life of obedience, HIS death for each of us upon the Cross, HIS resurrection which is proof that HE conquered sin and death and the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT, WHO confirms that these facts are true and we are GOD’S children through the miracle of the rebirth and have eternal life.

Let’s read Joshua 4:10-18:

10 The priests carrying the ark continued standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything was completed that the Lord had commanded Joshua to tell the people, in keeping with all that Moses had commanded Joshua. The people hurried across, 11 and after everyone had finished crossing, the priests with the ark of the Lord crossed in the sight of the people. 12 The Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh went in battle formation in front of the Israelites, as Moses had instructed them. 13 About 40,000 equipped for war crossed to the plains of Jericho in the Lord’s presence. 14 On that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they revered him throughout his life, as they had revered Moses. 15 The Lord told Joshua, 16 “Command the priests who carry the ark of the • testimony[4] The ark of the covenant to come up from the Jordan.” 17 So Joshua commanded the priests, “Come up from the Jordan.” 18 When the priests carrying the ark of the Lord’s covenant came up from the middle of the Jordan, and their feet[5] Lit and the soles of the feet of the priests stepped out on solid ground, the waters of the Jordan resumed their course, flowing over all the banks as before.

As a Christian what is our ark? As a Christian, our body is the ark, because the HOLY SPIRIT indwells our body. The ark represented the presence of GOD to the Israelites. Remember we are priests and we carry the HOLY SPIRIT “in us”. GOD is “in us”. We represent GOD where ever we go.

Let’s read Joshua 4:19-24:

19 The people came up from the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month,[6] = Nisan (March–April) and camped at Gilgal on the eastern limits of Jericho. 20 Then Joshua set up in Gilgal the 12 stones they had taken from the Jordan, 21 and he said to the Israelites, “When your children ask their fathers in the future, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ 22 you should tell your children, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, just as the Lord your God did to the • Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over. 24 This is so that all the people of the earth may know that the Lord’s hand is mighty, and so that you may always • fear the Lord your God.”

The priests came up out of the Jordan River on the tenth day of the first month.

The tenth day of the first month is the day the Passover lamb was chosen and kept until it was sacrificed on the fourteenth day. This means the Israelites celebrated the Passover four (4) days after crossing the Jordan River.

The crossing of the Jordan River is representative of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, 40 years earlier, when they were freed from the bondage of slavery. Now GOD is parting the Jordan River leading them into the Promised Land and fulfilling HIS promise to them.

After the Israelites crossed the Jordan they set up base camp in Gilgal. Gilgal is located near the stones of remembrance until they conquer all of the Promised Land.

As we journey to conquer the Promised Land, we too must camp in a place we can remember that the LORD is our strength and it is the LORD we must wait upon and obey. It is the LORD we need to trust and have the relationship with. When we have the right relationship with the LORD, we are always in the center of HIS will for our lives.

Most of us have gone to church, studied the Bible, prayed, taught bible studies but have never said, here I am use me, send me or here I am, as I am take my life, make me, mold me and use me as YOU want me to be used. Often these are very scary steps for us to take. Why?

Often it is because we do not trust the LORD and what HE might ask us to do. HE may ask us to do something we do not want to do. This is why we must first have the personal intimate relationship with HIM. When we know and trust someone, we trust them with our lives.

We all have our favorite doctor or surgeon and trust our lives to their skilful hands and care. Many of us trust our spouse with our life to the extent of giving them power of attorney to pull the plug if we become incapacitated. How can we do such a thing? We have built a trust relationship with our spouse so that we trust them with our lives.

This is why our relationship with GOD is so important for us to move into the Promised Land. GOD can build that trust as we journey with HIM but we have to allow HIM to build that trust.

Victory = obedience and trust in our LORD. The LORD gives the opportunity but we have to take the steps of obedience as HE directs our lives.