Five Against One -Not Good Odds -

Unless God - Is On Your SideJoshua 10.1-15

RecapGuile of Gibeon - Joshua 9.1-

27

“Fear when threatened is one of the most basic

human responses.”

Issue 1 (1-5)

Strategic Location Threatened

Adoni-zedekKing of Jerusalem

“Fear can paralyze, but it

can also be a great motivator.”

Application

“But we do not want you to be uniformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.”

1 Thessalonians 4.13

Application

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.” 1 John 4.18

Issue 2 (6-7)

The Word of a Leader

Issue 2 (6-7)“Tricksey” becomes ChutzpahHere is where it gets real trickyRemember…

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not

fall.”

“The most dangerous time is the time after

the victory.”

Issue 2 (6-7)Think of the excuses to justify his problem going away…This is God’s providenceBut…

Issue 2 (6-7)“…Joshua gave his word!“Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live; and the leaders swore an oath to them.” Joshua 9.15

Issue 2 (6-7)No hesitationTakes all the warriors - valiant menForce march at night from Gilgal

ApplicationHow strong is your word?

How important is your word to you?

What do others think of your word?

How does your word impact your testimony?

Issue 3 (8-11)

The Word of God

“Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them will stand before you.” Joshua 10.8.

God’s Word… ‘is proven true again.’

Application

Seems redundant to keep asking…why do we not trust in God’s Word after He proven over and over again He is trustworthy?

Issue 4 (12-15)

Listen to the Voice of a Man

“Too often we are so intent on proving a point in the text that we miss

the impact of the passage!

.”

Joshua Speaks to the Lord

Asks for the sun and moon to stand still

To give time for complete victory

In defiance of pagan deities

Double victory for the Lord

The Sun Stands Stills

Many Attempts to Explain

Literal stop - NASA

Other explanations…

God worked a mighty miracle

Do We Miss the Impact of the Passage?

“the Lord listened to the voice of a man, for the Lord fought for Israel!”

Application

Which do you want: to be able to explain all of God’s miracles or to speak with God and He listens to your voice.

Application

To be in the line of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Joshua or have a famous speaking tour?

Application“Be still and know that I am God” Ps 46.10.

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him” Ps 37.7.

Application“Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33.3