Joshua 10:7-15

Scripture Reading: Mark 11:15-26

Observations

ACTIONS:

Joshua (6): Went up (v. 7); Came upon them, marched (9); Spoke to YAHWEH, commanding the sun and moon to stand still—this is the most descriptive aspect of Joshua’s actions in this text (12); Returned (15)

Israel (5): Went up—same as above; Came upon them, marched—same as above; Killed with the sword (11); Returned—same as above

The heathens (2): Fled, died (11)

YAHWEH (10): Said, Given them into your hands (8); threw them into confusion, struck them down with a great slaughter, pursued them, struck them (10), threw down large stones from heaven on them (11); Gave over the amorites (12); Listened to the voice of a man, fought for Israel (14)

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RELATION TO CREATION PATTERN:

Waters: God sent them into the land through the waters of the Jordan

Earth: Walls of Jericho came tumbling down; trapped the Amorite kings in the cave

Sky: God rained down hailstones and stopped the sun and moon

Outline:

So Joshua…and YAHWEH (v.7-8)

So Joshua…and YAHWEH, II (v.9-11)

Then Joshua…YAHWEH Listened to the Voice of a Man listened (v.12-15)

1) So Joshua…and YAHWEH (v.7-8)

EXPOSIT THE TEXT

2) So Joshua…and YAHWEH, II (v.9-11)

EXPOSIT THE TEXT—God fights for Israel and Gibeon

WE HAVE SEEN GOD FIGHT FOR ISRAEL BY PARTING THE WATERS OF THE JORDAN, BY CRUMBLING THE EARTHEN-WALLS OF JERICHO, AND NOW WE SEE GOD FIGHTING FOR ISRAEL FROM THE HEAVENS. GOD IS USING THE ENTIRETY OF CREATION TO CRUSH HIS ENEMIES AND TO FREE THE LAND OF THE CANAANITES.

There is no clearer expression God could have used to communicate that He is the Sovereign Lord and Ruler of all creation, as all the planes of creation bow themselves to His will. God is communicating to the world that He is God and His promises cannot be thwarted.

3) Then Joshua…YAHWEH Listened to the Voice of a Man listened (v.12-15)

EXPOSIT THE TEXT

This is a text about a man commanding something to take place; however, it is ultimately His appeal to God to bring it to pass. Joshua has no authority over the mountain; however, He knows the God who does, and He is calling upon God, with confidence, to act on Israel’s behalf.

This is similar to Mark 11:15-26 when we have the story about the mountain being cast into the sea if Jesus’ disciples ask for it and it is compared to prayer.

God promised Joshua He would fight for him and Joshua believed God’s promises in faith—this is how we are to live.

Application

Pray according to God’s Word

1 John 5:14–15 LSB

And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

When we pray, we must pray that which is consistent with the will of God. If we are asking for the things God has revealed are good and right in His Scripture—the things consistent with His promises—then we can pray confidently that God will hear and answer our prayers.

2. Be prepared in the event God doesn’t answer your prayer in the way you may hope

Daniel 3:13–18 LSB

Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and wrath said to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; then these men were brought before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, that you are not serving my gods and do not worship the golden image that I have set up? “Now if you are ready, at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe and all kinds of music, then you shall fall down and worship the image that I have made. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can save you out of my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to respond to you with an answer concerning this matter. “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to save us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will save us out of your hand, O king. “But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods, and we will not worship the golden image that you have set up.”

3. When we pray according to the will of God, do not dilute your faith with doubt; Peter is the negative example

James 1:6–7 LSB

But he must ask in faith, doubting nothing, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,

Matthew 14:22–33 LSB

Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. And after He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. But the boat was already many stadia away from the land, being battered by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. Now when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered and said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And getting out of the boat, Peter walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are truly God’s Son!”

COMMUNION: God’s Victory in Canaan

This last described battle, in many ways, is like the Day of The LORD for the five Canaanite Kings. This is the last described battle in the conquest, and it is the pinnacle of God’s revealed power in the conquest;

This is very similar to what God had done in Egypt, when He crushed the Egyptian King and his army in the Red Sea. Instead of God crushing the Canaanites with water, we see him leveraging the firmament for His people. The hailstones were impressive, but what was more impressive was stopping the stars in the sky.

God heard the voice of Joshua; and, how much more does He hear the better Joshua who is sitting at His right hand making intercession for us and ruling and reigning right now?

Just as God had fought and delivered this deceisive battle in Canaan, there was still work to be done by His people in clearing and cultivating the land. This is analagous to us today, as Christ has won the victory and is using His church to usher in His Kingdom.

Church, consider Psalm 23:4-5

Psalm 23:4–5 LSB

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

Just as God has prepared a table in the midst of their enemies as they celebrated passover in Canaan before the conquest, God has given us a table in our canaan that we gather around every week to celebrate and declare Christ’s victory, and we know that with each week we are gaining ground and getting closer to the consummation.