Lesson for March 26
EXPLORE THE BIBLE SERIES:
Joshua provides a model f
or following God's lead
___
Joshua 10:1-12:24
___By Ellis Orozco
___Calvary Baptist Church, McAllen
___After his victory over Ai, Joshua was able to strike a crucial treaty with the city of Gibeon. Gibeon was one of the larger cities in the area and had a well-respected, efficient army (Joshua 10:2).
___This treaty struck fear into the heart of the king of Jerusalem, the leader of the Amorites. He quickly created a coalition with four other kings and prepared for battle against Gibeon.
___When the king of Gibeon saw the armies of five kings coming against him, he appealed to Joshua for help on the basis of their newly signed treaty. Joshua responded quickly and decisively. There are five important truths that we learn from Joshua's story.
___ We must be true to our word. Joshua was true to his word. Joshua had agreed to an alliance with the city of Gibeon. Immediately, the city found itself in grave danger. Although he was greatly outnumbered by the enemy, Joshua came to stand with Gibeon in battle (Joshua 10:6-7). It could very easily have been a suicide mission, but Joshua would not go back on his promise.
___ We must listen for God's voice. Joshua listens for God's voice. Joshua and his army had marched all night from Gilgal to Gibeon, a distance of 20 to 25 miles. They were tired. When they arrived at Gibeon, they saw an army that was five times larger than their own.
___Joshua must have been scared. At just the right moment, God spoke a word of encouragement to Joshua (Joshua 10:8). But Joshua had to be listening for that voice in order to hear it.
___ We must obey God fully. Joshua obeyed God. Once he received the word from God, Joshua plunged into the battle without hesitation. The result was a surprise attack that brought total victory for Joshua (Joshua 10:9-10). Joshua was immediately obedient to God's word and was rewarded for his obedience.
___ We must call on the Lord. Joshua called on the Lord in his time of need. Even in the middle of the intensity of battle, Joshua did not hesitate to call on God for help. When he saw that he had the upper hand but was going to run out of daylight, Joshua asked God to do the impossible. Joshua asked God to stop the sun and the moon in order to give him more time to win the battle (Joshua 10:12-13).
___God answered Joshua's plea. In our time of need, God is ready to do the impossible so that we can have victory.
___ God rewards those who obey him. Joshua was rewarded with complete control of the Promised Land. After his stunning victory over the five Amorite kings, Joshua was successful in a rapid succession of battles against both the southern and northern kings. In a short period of time, all the fighting was over and his army was in control of the entire land (Joshua 11:23).
___Joshua was the instrument God used to fulfill one of his greatest promises to Israel. It was Joshua's great faith and his complete dependence on the Lord that led him to obey God fully.
___The Lord wants his children to demonstrate complete faith by obeying him fully.
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