Introduction

• The whole counsel of God

• Our desire to is to teach through the whole Bible Genesis to Revelation
• Acts 20:27 – “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”
• We have finished Deuteronomy – and will continue on to the Book of Joshua…
• This is the 1^st of the 12 books of the History of Israel in the Old Testament…

• Background on the book of Joshua…

• It is believed that Joshua wrote the book (as well as Deuteronomy 34)…
  • Ultimately inspired by the Holy Spirit – the written Word of God – II Timothy 3:16
  • Joshua was around 80 years old when he led Israel into the Promised Land…
• The book picks up right at the end of the Book of Deuteronomy…
  • Israel is still camped across from Jericho – on the east side of the Jordan…
    • The 1^st generation – all those over 20 years old – has perished in the wilderness…
    • Only Joshua and Caleb – brought back a good report – still alive – Numbers 14:6…
  • Moses in the book of Deuteronomy gave the people all the preparations to enter…
    • But with the death of Moses – Joshua was the one to lead Israel in…
    • The Book of Joshua covers a period 30 years period in the conquest of the Land…
      
• The Outline of Joshua… 

• There are 24 chapters / 658 verses – in the book of Joshua…
• We will cover between 1-2 chapters a week (2 months) – highlighting key sections…
• The book can be broken down into 3 sections….
• Chapters 1-12 – The conquest of the Land of Canaan…
• Chapters 13-22 – The division of the Land of Canaan…
• Chapters 23-24 – Joshua’s final words to the nation of Israel…

• Theme of book of Joshua…

• The name Joshua means – Yashua is salvation – God saves!
  • The name Joshua is the Hebrew pronunciation of the Greek name – Jesus!
  • Matthew 1:21 – “His name is JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
  • So the Book of Joshua is all about how God saved His people Israel…
• Jesus leads us into the Promised Land…
  • The Book of Joshua is very applicable to our Christian walk…
  • God desires for us to be saved from the world (Egypt) – through the Red Sea (baptism)
  • Led by Moses (Law – to reveal our sin) – so we see our need to follow Joshua (Jesus)…
  • So God can take us into the Promised Land (salvation)…
  • A Land flowing with milk and honey (full of the fruit of the Holy Spirit)…
  • Where we will be able to have victory of the Canaanites (sin and our flesh)!

Preparing for the Promised Land… (3 things)

• 1^st – Marching orders…vs. 1-9 Read: Joshua 1:1-9
  • After the death of Moses – God spoke to Joshua…
    • God had been preparing Joshua to lead Israel for many years…
      • Joshua had followed Moses – learning all through the 40 years in the wilderness…
      • After God was done speaking to Moses – he would go and share with Israel….
      • But Joshua would stay – spending time in the presence of the Lord – Exodus 33:11
      • If we are to be used by God – we have to take the time to spent time with God…
    • Only when Moses was gone – did Joshua step up…
      • There is a time for preparation – then there is a time to step out and serve…
      • With Moses no longer around – there was a need – it was time to serve…
      • When we first come to know the Lord – we are not going to step out in faith much…
      • We are much more comfortable sitting and listening – being prepared…
      • But we should not stay that way – as we get into God’s Word – we should grow…
      • So that when the time comes – the need arises – we are ready to step up and serve!
  • Every place you set your foot…
    • God promised to give the Land to Joshua – every place he set his foot…
      • If Joshua had refused to move – his foot would not have stepped on many places…
      • But all Joshua had to do was step out – and he would be successful…
      • God does not require much from us – in fact He does all the work for us…
      • All He requires of us is that we be willing to step out in faith…
    • No man would be able to stand against Joshua…
      • God promised there would be no challenge Joshua could not overcome…
      • The reason – because God would be with Joshua – never leave his side!
      • So often we baulk at stepping out in faith – because we think we will fail…
      • We look at our abilities – and just assume God cannot use someone like us…
      • If you are looking for a container to use – two important things to consider…
      • You really do not care if it is fancy or plain – expensive or cheap…
      • What matters – is the container empty (available) / is the container clean…
      • God is not looking for us to be fancy – He does not care about our abilities…
      • He is looking for someone who is clean – not full of the filth of the world…
      • God is looking for someone who is available – ready to be used by the Lord…
      • God can do ANYTHING with that kind of person – because they are full of Jesus!
  • Be strong and courageous…
    • Joshua had been prepared – Moses was gone – it was his time…
      • He had the promise if he stepped out – God would give him victory – fight for him!
      • Yet he was still afraid – God had to tell him 3 times – be strong and courageous!
      • And God told him how to be strong and courageous – hold onto the Word!
    • The reality is – when we step out in faith we are going to be scared…
      • If it were not scary – it would not be a step of faith – trusting in the Lord…
      • But as we hold to the Word of God – reading about Joshua – men just like us…
      • We become strong in the Lord – and find we have the courage to do anything!
• 2^nd – The danger of compromise…vs. 10-18 Read: Joshua 1:10-18
  • Joshua went through the camp and commanded the people to get ready to move out…
    • In 3 days they would go and poses the land God had given them…
    • Israel had already conquered the lands east of the Jordan River – Numbers 21…
    • The 3 tribes of Reuben / Gad / ½ of Manasseh – had asked Moses to inherit this land…
    • They would build fortified cities for their children and wives – for protection…
    • But then all the men of war would march with Israel into the Promised Land…
    • They would fight along side their brothers – till they also had victory!
    • Only then would they return to the east side of the Jordan and settle down…
  • They went in to fight with Israel – so they thought they were just like Israel…
    • But in the end they did not stay – they left the Promised Land…
    • We can reassure ourselves that we attend Bible studies along with everyone else…
    • But where is our heart – are we excited / or just going through the motions…
    • II Corinthians 13:5 – “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith…”
    • If we are not drawing closer to the Lord – then we are drifting away…
  • They wanted to be close to God / but still in the world…
    • Often we try to reason with God – how far away from the world do we need to be…
    • Can we at least look at the world – how about touch – just a light touch…
    • We do not want to be in the world – just really close – is that OK God…
    • It is not worth the danger to play around with the love of this world…
    • It is far too easy to fall in love with this world – and miss Jesus!

Joshua realized the Lord had delivered the city into Israel’s hands!

3^rd – Rahab the harlot… vs. 1-24 Read: Joshua 2:1-24

Spying out the Land… vs. 1

Joshua sent two men to spy out the Land – especially Jericho (fortified city)…

They had to go through Jericho – and he wanted to know what they were up against…

There are times we think God is calling us to step out in faith – but we are unsure…

Perhaps it is to get involved in a ministry – or a new business – or a new relationship…

We wonder – is it our idea / our desire – or is it really the Lord/Spirit directing us…

Step out in faith to see what happens – see what kind of ‘fruit’ comes from it…

If we step out and try – and good things / ‘fruit’ happen – then it is likely from the Lord!

Hiding from the King… vs. 2-7

The men were staying in the house of Rahab the Harlot (good place not to be noticed)…

But the king of Jericho was told the spies had come into the city…

And came to Rahab’s house demanding she bring them men out to them…

Rahab hid the men under bundles of ‘humay’ on the roof…

She then lied – and told the officials the two men had left the city at sunset…

There are no levels of lies – no little lies / or white lies / or half truths…

There is just the truth – and then there is a lie – no middle ground!

If we are not telling all of the truth – then we are telling a complete lie

Which leaves the question – is there ever a good reason not to tell the truth…

Such as if it keeps someone from having hurt feelings – ‘how do I look’ – ugly!

The end doesn’t justify the means – its as much about the journey as the destination

There is never a good reason to lie – it is depending on our efforts – our wit…

Better to be honest – tell the truth – and trust in/depend on the Lord!

The Scarlet Chord… vs. 8-21

Rahab went back to talk to the two spies…

I know the Lord has given you this Land – the terror of you has fallen on us all…

The people had heard about the parting of the Red Sea (40 years earlier)…

How Israel had completed destroyed the Kings on the east side of the Jordan…

It caused the hearts of the people melted in fear – there courage evaporated!

They realized the God of Israel – was the God of Heaven and Earth – John 16:18

The world hears about Jesus – hears God’s Word – and trembles in fear…

The reason – they are convicted by Jesus of their sin…

And they know that one day there will be a judgment for sin – their judgment!

Rahab made them made swear to spare her and her family…

They agreed to spare her life – if she kept silent and spared their lives…

She let them down her widow (her house was in the wall of the city)…

The condition of letting her live – she had to tie a scarlet chord to her window…

And then only those who were in her house – would be spared by God…

The only place to be safe from the judgment of God – is with a Scarlet Chord…

Those who run and hide in Jesus – covered by sacrifice of Christ on the cross!

Rahab – one of the greatest women in the Bible…

Rahab is one of only two women mentioned in the ‘Hall of Faith’…

Hebrews 11:31 – “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.”

Rahab was a har lot – she had a VERY sinful and sorted past…

But she believed – had faith in the God of Israel – to save her from judgment…

Her one act of faith – wiped out all the record of her past mistakes…

No matter what we have done in our past – how many mistakes we have made…

All it takes is one act of faith – believing in Jesus – and we are clean!

Rahab and Abraham…

Rahab is listed WITH Abraham as an example of what faith looks like…

James 2:25 – “Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?”

All of Jericho was terrified of the God of Israel – but none were saved except…

Rahab – who did not just have faith in God – she showed her faith by her actions…

She was willing to stand up against the world / protect the men from God…

By doing do she put herself at great risk – but received a GREATER reward…

It is easy to say we have faith in God – no one wants to go to hell…

If we say we believe in Jesus – but still live like the world – do we really have faith…

If we are saved – have faith in God – it will show through our fruit – James 2:18…

Our faith in God is revealed through our changed life – obedience to His Word!

Rahab is in the Genealogy of Jesus Christ – Matthew 1:5!

She would go on to marry Salmon – and have a son named Boaz (married Ruth)…

She would become the great grandmother of King David – descendant of Jesus!

No matter what our past – as we have faith in Jesus to forgive us…

And as we stand up for Jesus – we will be known by Jesus work in our lives!

Galatians 2:20 – “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…”

Reporting to Joshua… vs. 22-24

The men waited for three days – for the search for them to be called off…

Then returned across the river and reported what had happened to Joshua…