The Battle Begins

Introduction: Have you ever faced straight on an overwhelming challenge that scared the death out of you? If so, did you confront it or retreat? In The Story we find Israel facing an overwhelming challenge. After 600 years from God’s promise to Abraham to make him a great nation, the children of Israel are ready to advance into the Promised Land. But there is a big problem. There are wicked people already living in the land and among those people are some literal giants. It would be like putting Danny DeVito (5’ tall) up against Wilt “the Stilt” Chamberlain (7’ 1” tall). The children of Israel are under a new leader, Joshua, and they are at Kadesh-Barnea where 40 years earlier they took a major wrong turn. Under Joshua, God tells the new generation to take the land. Joshua is told 4 times by God to “be strong and courageous.” Now is the time for courage!

I. God tells Joshua and the people three things they need to be successful.

A. Be people of the book—the word of God. Joshua 1:8

1. When Achan sinned by not heeding the word of God, the people
lost the battle at Ai. Joshua 7

2. After that loss, Joshua read the entire book of the law to the
people. Joshua 8:34

B. Be people of prayer.

1. God says, “Talk to Me before you go to battle. I will be
in front.”

2. To demonstrate God going first, the ark of the covenant led
the people. When we follow God we have 100% success.

C. Be people who identify with God. Joshua 5

1. At Gilgal all the males of Israel were circumcised as a sign of their
identity with God.

2. God says in effect, “Before you go into battle, I want all the
soldiers to identify with me.”

II. The battles begin and the land is taken. Joshua 5-7

A. God performs miracles by damming up the Jordan River and by delivering
Jericho into Israel’s hands.

B. Israel defeats 5 kings and takes the cities in the south.
“the southern campaign”

C. Israel defeats 14 kings in the north.
“the northern campaign”

1. The entire land is now in Israel’s control. Joshua 11:33

2. Joshua divides the land among the tribes of Israel. Joshua 13-21

III. The two reasons God commands Israel to take the Promised Land.

A. Because of the wickedness of the inhabitants to the land.

1. God told this reason to Abraham 600 years earlier. Genesis 15:16

2. The inhabitants practiced detestable idolatry which included using
prostitutes in worship and sacrificing (burning) children to the
gods. Deuteronomy 12:31 and 20:18; Exodus 34:15-16

(but even more importantly)

B. Because God wants to make Himself known among the nations.

1. At least 19 times in the Scriptures God declares this as His
mission.

2. To Abraham God said that all the nations of the world would be
blessed. God wants all people to be in relationship with Him.