Wayside Bible Chapel

In today’s passage, we will discover just how heinous Israel’s depravity was and just how far God was willing to go to purify those who could still be saved. Indeed, it was so bad that another prophet of the time of Hosea wrote, “If the Lord of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we should have been like Sodom, and become like Gomorrah.”

If God prepared with long-suffering the kingdom of Israel as a vessel destined for destruction, will we learn from their insolence?

Jesus' resurrection means that those who place their faith in the fact that He died for our sins and offers us forgiveness will also be raised.

But that is just part of what that means to us. It has everything to do with how we live our life today. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us from the moment we accept what He did for us. That power frees us from enslavement to sin and enables us to be God's instruments in the world.

What is happening to our country is very similar to what happened to the new nation of Israel. In this sermon, we see how their intentions were very sincere and their dedication was unquestionable, but there was a failure to convince the next generation. It is a challenge for every sincere believer to be sure to communicate with their children the great things God has done out of His love for us.

The Levites did not inherit tribal land because the Lord was their inheritance. Since we are priests to the world introducing them to our Savior, our inheritance is not created things, but the Creator Himself. This sermon also challenges us with the life of Caleb who wholly followed the Lord and conquered giants at the age of 85!

After conquering the southern coalition that came against Israel, Joshua reminded the nation there was much land yet to be taken. It reminds us that in our spiritual life we cannot settle for the initial victories.

God has good works prepared in advance for us to do. He will enable and empower us, but we must be willing and cooperate. We can stay in the land we have already conquered, but God has more for us. Armor up church! There is much land yet to be taken.

After conquering the southern coalition that came against Israel, Joshua reminded the nation there was much land yet to be taken. It reminds us that in our spiritual life we cannot settle for the initial victories.

God has good works prepared in advance for us to do. He will enable and empower us, but we must be willing and cooperate. We can stay in the land we have already conquered, but God has more for us. Armor up church! There is much land yet to be taken.

The king of Jerusalem's name meant the Lord of Retribution. He gathered a coalition against Gibeon to punish them for capitulating to Israel.

The Lord promised Joshua that He would give them into his hand. God gave him the victory by throwing the kings into confusion and raining hail upon them. After the victory, Joshua told the people to be strong and courageous, for there was still much land to be taken. We too need to be strong and courageous spiritually to take the land God has given us.

There is much yet to be conquered in each of our lives.

While God was patiently faithful to Israel, they were not faithful to Him. It is a refreshing break from the chapters surrounding it because it demonstrates God’s desire for their restoration. He earnestly sought after them, but they gave him only lies and treachery in return. “How better describe a half-fed people, a half-cultured society, a half-lived religion, a half-hearted policy, than by a half-baked scone? ” — George Adam Smith

Joshua needed one more lesson on looking to God instead of trusting in how things appear. This time it was in the form of an elaborate deception. But God has a way of turning things around and using them for His glory. The story is one of failure turned into a blessing. It is one of many examples of God's grace and mercy upon our lives, as well as His desire that all be saved.

Once we have dealt with sin in our lives, then God can direct us to fulfill His purposes through us. This sermon gives us Israel's path to getting back on the right track and mirrors our own spiritual journey. The promises and curses in God's Word need to be remembered on a regular basis.