A Contract of Faith
class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'>1) 9-21-08…AM…SBC“A Contract of Faith”
Joshua 24
Prayer
Introduction: Ronald Reagan’s Presidential Farewell Address (1989) http://www.ronaldreagan.com
Finally, there is a great tradition of warnings in presidential farewells, and I've got one that's been on my mind for some time…An informed patriotism is what we want. And are we doing a good enough job teaching our children what America is and what she represents in the long history of the world? Those of us who are over thirty-five or so years of age grew up in a different America. We were taught, very directly, what it means to be an American. And we absorbed, almost in the air, a love of country and an appreciation of its institutions…But now, we're about to enter the nineties, and some things have changed. Younger parents aren't sure that an unambivalent appreciation of America is the right thing to teach modern children…well-grounded patriotism is no longer the style. We've got to do a better job of getting across that America is freedom - freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of enterprise. And freedom is special and rate. It's fragile…So, we've got to teach history based not on what's in fashion but what's important: Why the Pilgrims came here, who Jimmy Doolittle was, and what those thirty seconds over Tokyo meant…If we forget what we did, we won't know who we are. I'm warning of an eradication of the American memory that could result, ultimately, in an erosion of the American spirit. Let's start with some basics: more attention to American history and a greater emphasis on civic ritual. And let me offer lesson number one about America: All great change in America begins at the dinner table. So, tomorrow night in the kitchen I hope the talking begins. And children, if your parents haven't been teaching you what it means to be an American, let 'em know and nail 'em on it. That would be a very American thing to do.
· I don’t share a portion of this speech with you to promote some political party or even to heighten you sense of patriotism to this country
· I share this with you because it is strangely similar to the tone of Joshua’s farewell message to Israel in the last chapter of this amazing book
· Joshua, like President Reagan, is calling people to a renewed sense of loyalty
Transition: In that same way that they did for Israel…
Proposition: God’s actions in history must induce God’s people to covenant loyalty.
Ø If you recall this is the second of Joshua’s two farewell speeches
Ø The significant difference between Ch23 and Ch24 is a covenant renewal ceremony, in which the people re-committed themselves to serving the Lord.[1]
Transition: Let’s look for a moment at Biblical Convenants
What a Biblical Covenant was not:
- An ultimatum to God saying that only if you are faithful to me then I will be faithful to you
- An agreement with God that could be broken when hard times came
- An agreement between two parties that stood on equal ground
A Biblical Covenant was: (Theological Workbook of the OT)
“A covenant accompanied by signs, sacrifices, and a solemn oath that sealed the relationship with promises of blessing for keeping the covenant and curses for breaking it.”[2]
Ø OT religion was faithfulness to the covenant relationship between God and his chosen people;
Ø Religious responsibilities for both the faith and practice of Israel were covenant responsibilities.[3]
Transition: To understand the main idea of this passage one must understand a little about Ancient Near Eastern Covenants
Ancient Near Eastern Covenants (see Dr Beacham’s notes from Dispensationalism- p38)
1. All ANE were legal documents which had two essential relationships:
a. relationship – they established a bond between two parties
b. obligation – they defined the parameters and procedures of the relationship
2. The most well known type of covenant in the ancient near east was the Suzerainty Covenant
a. this type of covenant defined the responsibilities of a vassal (inferior) nation to a suzerain (superior) nation
3. The covenant here in Joshua 24 is similar to ANE treaties where a suzerain (superior) nation would enter into a relationship with a vassal (inferior) nation
- The overlord (or “suzerain”) in these covenants was God, and his vassal was Israel.[4]
Ø Generally these treaties had the following elements:
1. Preamble/Introduction: identifies the author of the covenant
2. Historical Prologue: describes the previous relationship between the two parties
3. Stipulations: the vassal’s obligations to the overlord
4. A. Deposit in the Temple
B. Periodic Public Reading
5. Witnesses: the gods are called to witness the covenant
6. Curses and blessings: the gods will punish or bless, depending on whether the covenant is kept[5]
Ø Scripture holds to this general pattern in Joshua 24 (with variations) so let’s look at it from this pattern
1) We see first of all the significance of the location of this covenant v1
A- Shechem - site of the earlier covenant renewal ceremony (8:30–35).[6]
1- it was here that Abraham received the first promise from God (Gen. 12:6, 7)[7]
2- Jacob settled here on his return from Mesopotamia, and it was here that he purified his house from the strange gods by burying all their idols under the oak (Gen. 33:19; 35:2, 4).[8]
3- “The exhortation to be faithful to the Lord, and to purify themselves from all idolatry, could not fail to make a deep impression, in the place where the honored patriarchs had done the very same things to which his descendants were exhorted here. The example preached more loudly in this spot than in any other”[9]
B- It was here at Shechem that Israel “presented themselves before God.” – in a solemn religions manner v1b
2) Second we see in this Covenant the establishment of the author of this covenant v2
A- “Thus says the Lord” - man’s innocence was gone and this generated the need for special revelation
1- The history to follow was not new information for them but it was selective in its nature
2- This information was to lead to an acquaintance with the person of God
3- RJ Factor
§ special revelation is always personal
§ the Bible does not digress into history just to fill in the gaps for us
§ the Bible possesses the authority to define what we are to believe and how we are to conduct ourselves
3) Third we see the historical review God’s gracious acts for Israel[10] v2b-13
A- 18 times the personal pronoun ”I“ is used
B- Any greatness that Israel achieved was not by her effort, but by the grace and mercy of God
4) Fourthly we see the stipulations of the covenant renewal v14-15
A- Joshua was urgently impressing on the people what they should do in light of God’s actions.[11]
B- Joshua’s exhortation is a passionate one that the people should be totally devoted—blameless—in their worship of their God.[12]
1- imperatival commands to “fear” and “serve” – a general giving a command
C- Adding example to exhortation, Joshua assured them that whatever their choice his mind was made up, his course clear: as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.[13]
5) Fifthly we see that the people accept the terms of the covenant v16-18
A- They despised the very thought of forsaking the God who had delivered them out of Egypt and brought them into the land of promise. [14]
6) Sixth, Joshua cautions them to not make an emotional decision v19-20
A- Joshua goes on to vividly warn them to not bind themselves to this covenant if they were not going to observe it later
1- Joshua sets before them the difficulties of religion
a- Certainly Joshua does not intend hereby to deter them from the service of God as impracticable and dangerous.[15] – for that is what he just asked them to do
b- Joshua knew that it was easy for the people to promise obedience to the Lord, but it was quite something else for them to actually do it. His stern words were meant to curb their overconfidence and make them look honestly into their own hearts (Josh. 24:19).[16]
c- God is a jealous God (Ex. 20:5) and a holy God, and He could never permit them to be divided in their loyalty. Just as a husband and wife are faithful to their marriage vows and jealously guard their mate’s affection, so Israel and the Lord had to be faithful to each other.[17]
Ø Because God was a holy and jealous God he could not tolerate disobedience to the covenant (The Exile)
7) Lastly, we see that the covenant called for witnesses v22-27
A- The people affirm loyalty to this covenant now knowing full well the blessings and curses associated with it
B- Based on their witness Joshua renewed the covenant and wrote down their agreement in the book of the law v26
C- As a final reminder Joshua also apparently inscribed the statutes of the covenant on a large stone slab which was set up beneath the oak at this sacred location.[18]
Archeologists excavating the site of Shechem have uncovered a great limestone pillar which may be identified with the memorial referred to here.[19]
Ø As his last public act, Joshua performed this covenant renewal in which Israel vowed to fear and follow God
Ø The appendix them tells us of three burials: Joshua (110), Joseph, Eleazer (High Priest)
Summary:
1- Joshua made it clear that the people of Israel had to make a decision to serve the Lord God of Israel. There could be no neutrality.[20]
2- Joshua warned them that if they didn’t obey they would lose all the blessings God had so graciously given them in the Promised Land.[21]
3- Their great need was to cleanse their hearts of allegiance to other gods and to incline their hearts only to the Lord (Josh. 24:23).[22]
Practical Application:
- This picture of covenant loyalty shows us God intense desire for a relationship with man
- the book might end but the story of salvation history continues on until you reach Christ and the cross
o substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of the world
o the Bible talks about salvation in terms of repenting and believing
o will you repent of your sins and enter into covenant loyalty by accepting Christ by faith
- all will be part of salvation history as either those who believed or those who didn’t #. what history page will you be on – Lamb’s book of life or Satan’s book of lies?
- This picture of covenant loyalty by God is a call for action on the part of God’s people
a- CL requires us to first of all consider our loyalty to God– where do you fall short? (not if)
b- CL requires God’s people to repent of our failures and renew our covenant to God
Since God already knows our heart, we would do well to be honest with ourselves when we fall short of covenant loyalty and daily renew that committment.
Closing:
Ø silent prayer for what God has laid on your heart through His Word
Ø MCB #185 – Your Love Compels Me Lord
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[1]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 426.
[2]R. Laird Harris, Robert Laird Harris, Gleason Leonard Archer and Bruce K. Waltke, Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, electronic ed. (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999, c1980), 128.
[3]Walter A. Elwell and Philip Wesley Comfort, Tyndale Bible Dictionary, Tyndale reference library (Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001), 324.
[4]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 426.
[5]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 426.
[6]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 425.
[7]Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament. (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2002), 2:165.
[8]Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament. (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2002), 2:165.
[9]Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament. (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2002), 2:166.
[10]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 430.
[11]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 435.
[12]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 435.
[13]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 1:369.
[14]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 1:369.
[15]Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1996, c1991), Jos 24:15.
[16]Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Strong (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996, c1993), Jos 24:14.
[17]Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Strong (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996, c1993), Jos 24:14.
[18]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 1:370.
[19]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 1:370.
[20]Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Strong (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996, c1993), Jos 24:14.
[21]Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Strong (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996, c1993), Jos 24:14.
[22]Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Strong (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996, c1993), Jos 24:14.