Why the Walls FellWhy the Walls Fell

Wall: Strength, protection, securityWall: Strength, protection, security

Num. 13:28; Deut. 3:5Num. 13:28; Deut. 3:5

JerichoJericho• God’s blessing of God’s blessing of

victory victory – – Josh. 6:2, Josh. 6:2, 16, 2016, 20

JerusalemJerusalem• God’s curse against sin God’s curse against sin

– – Deut. 28:47-48, 52; Deut. 28:47-48, 52; 2 Chrn. 36:15-212 Chrn. 36:15-21

A Tale of Two CitiesA Tale of Two Cities

The ChurchThe Church (Hebrews 12:22-23)(Hebrews 12:22-23)

•Her walls are “Salvation” – Her walls are “Salvation” – Isa. 60:18 62:6 (26:1)Isa. 60:18 62:6 (26:1)

•Blessing or Curse? – Blessing or Curse? – Deut. 30:19-20 (Heb. 12:28-29)Deut. 30:19-20 (Heb. 12:28-29)

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JerichoJericho• FAITH, FAITH, Heb. 11:30Heb. 11:30– Stronger nations, yet Stronger nations, yet

Israel trusted God,Israel trusted God, Deut. 7:1; Josh. 1:5Deut. 7:1; Josh. 1:5

– Our faith in God’s Our faith in God’s deliverance –deliverance – 1 Jno. 1 Jno. 5:4; Eph. 6:10-115:4; Eph. 6:10-11

JerusalemJerusalem• FAITHLESSNESS, FAITHLESSNESS,

Jer. 5:10-13Jer. 5:10-13– Unbelief,Unbelief, Jer. 16:10-13Jer. 16:10-13

– Didn’t trust God – Didn’t trust God – Trusted walls,Trusted walls, Deut. Deut. 28:52; Lam. 4:11-1228:52; Lam. 4:11-12

– What are we trusting What are we trusting & serving?& serving?

Why the Walls FellWhy the Walls Fell

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JerichoJericho• OBEDIENCE, OBEDIENCE, Heb. Heb.

11:30 (10:39)11:30 (10:39)– Responsive & Responsive &

submissive to God’s submissive to God’s commands,commands, Josh. 6:3-Josh. 6:3-5; Lk. 6:46; Heb. 5:95; Lk. 6:46; Heb. 5:9

JerusalemJerusalem• DISOBEDIENCE, DISOBEDIENCE, Jer. Jer.

16:11-12; 6:15-1716:11-12; 6:15-17– Idolatry, hypocrisy,Idolatry, hypocrisy,

Isa. 29:13-14Isa. 29:13-14– Wrong attitude about Wrong attitude about

God’s word,God’s word, Ezek. 33: Ezek. 33: 30-3230-32

– We must hear & heed, We must hear & heed, Jas. 1:21-25, 2 Ths. 1:8Jas. 1:21-25, 2 Ths. 1:8

Why the Walls FellWhy the Walls Fell

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JerichoJericho• PURITY, PURITY, Josh. 3:5; Josh. 3:5;

5:8-95:8-9– Set themselves apart Set themselves apart

from defilementfrom defilement

– Circumcision to Circumcision to identify them as identify them as God’s people,God’s people, 2 Cor. 2 Cor. 6:17-7:1 (Rom. 6:22)6:17-7:1 (Rom. 6:22)

JerusalemJerusalem• DEFILEMENT, DEFILEMENT, Lam. Lam.

1:8-9; Isa. 59:1-41:8-9; Isa. 59:1-4– Sin breaches wall of Sin breaches wall of

protection, protection, Ezek. Ezek. 42:20; 44:23 (2 Pet. 42:20; 44:23 (2 Pet. 2:20-22)2:20-22)

– Cleanse ourselves & Cleanse ourselves & perfect holiness,perfect holiness, 2 Cor. 2 Cor. 7:17:1

Why the Walls FellWhy the Walls Fell

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JerichoJericho• SELF-DENIAL, SELF-DENIAL, Josh. Josh.

6:3-46:3-4– No small task!No small task!

– ““Ridiculous!” Ridiculous!” (2 Kgs. (2 Kgs. 5:10-13)5:10-13)

– Willingly sacrifice, Willingly sacrifice, Lk. 9:23Lk. 9:23

JerusalemJerusalem• SELF-INDULGENCE, SELF-INDULGENCE,

Ezek. 7:19Ezek. 7:19– No protection in No protection in “day “day

of the Lord’s wrath”of the Lord’s wrath” (Zeph. 1:18); 1 Jno. (Zeph. 1:18); 1 Jno. 2:15-17; Eph. 5:3-72:15-17; Eph. 5:3-7

– Self-control, Self-control, Jas. 4:1-4Jas. 4:1-4

Why the Walls FellWhy the Walls Fell

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Victory in ChristVictory in Christ• Faith, obedience, Faith, obedience,

purity & self-denialpurity & self-denial

Wrath of GodWrath of God• Faithlessness, Faithlessness,

disobedience, defilement disobedience, defilement & self-indulgence& self-indulgence

Blessing & Curse Set Before Us Blessing & Curse Set Before Us Deut. 11:26-28; Rom. 11:22Deut. 11:26-28; Rom. 11:22

The ChurchThe ChurchSafety & SalvationSafety & Salvation

Isaiah 60:18Isaiah 60:18

The ChurchThe ChurchSafety & SalvationSafety & Salvation

Isaiah 60:18Isaiah 60:18

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