Flying Fish & Holy Hailstones!

I. Introduction.

What is the mind of God?

What does somebody need to hear this day, Feburary 13, 2022?

I know. Thank God, I know, and now I’m going deliver it to you!

Joshua 10 is our text.

Hear now the Word of the Lord!

II. Scripture Setting.

Joshua 10:1–4 NKJV

Now it came to pass when Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard how Joshua had taken Ai and had utterly destroyed it—as he had done to Jericho and its king, so he had done to Ai and its king—and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them, that they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty. Therefore Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying, “Come up to me and help me, that we may attack Gibeon, for it has made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.”

Adoni-Zedek was a king.

A king who saw that every other kingdom who had stood up to Joshua had been utterly destroyed.

King Og of Bashan, a giant himself, was destroyed!

King Sihon, done for, then Jericho of all places!

Ai as well, utterly ruined !

Now it would have been bad if Joshua and the Isrealites had come into this land with great siege engines and military engineeers and advanced weaponry and tactics and utilized them to destory said kings and cities.

Yes, that would have been bad. But if that were the case, at least Adonai Zedek would have been able to plan and counter those natural advantages.

But see here’s the thing. None of this is natural at all!

It is in fact, an invasion aided by the supernatural!

Not one siege engine had thrown stones or Greek fire, or dead animal carcases into those conquored cities!

Not one ladder was thrown up against the wall of Jericho!

It was God who brought those walls down!

Even for a heathen King, it was the only explanation!

Isreal wouldn’t have even got to Jericho except that God was apparently fighting for them!!!!!

Jericho was terrified of the invaders!

But perhaps they thought they were at least temporarily safe behind their swollen river.

You can bet that every boat for miles had been removed or broken up!

“Make sure those people stay stuck on the other side!

But then the unnatural happened!

No, more than that, it was supernatural!

I mean, the River Jericho left it’s bed and stood straight up into the air!

The waters stacked up thousands of feet into the air!

I’d give good money to know what those fish were thinking!

“Look at me mom, I’m flying!!!

Isreal marched right across!!!

When the spies had reported, at first Adonai Zedek had thought they were lying or out of their minds!

But soon it became clear:

This invasion is supernatural!!!

God is fighting for them!

And now, Adonai Zedek finds out that a local kingdom, the Gibeonites, have thrown in their lot with Isreal!

They were willing to be servants and second class citizens, if only Isreal would spare them!

I can imagine Adonai Zedek in his war council: Curses, shouting and anger aimed at the Gibeonites who have gone over to these ruthless, religious invaders!

Now Israel has access to local knowledge, an intelligence coup! Even more soldiers and good ones! “Mighty men” the Scripture had called them.

This whole situation is getting out of hand!

So it was that a coalition was formed, to punish Gibeon.

Maybe they thought that Isreal would not hold true to their new, untested Covenant with the people of Gibeon.

After all, a cheat thinks like a cheat and a liar expects others to lie!

And so the coalition, five kings and armies in all, march on Gibeon.

It is so amazing to me, that even though Isreal had been misled into the covenant they had made with Gibeon, God used the situtation as a means to conquor the Southern kingdoms!

Isn’t it just like God, when you are honest and willing to come clean,

Isn’t it just like him to re-work your mistakes and turn the situtation for good?

So here’s what happened:

Joshua 10:6–11 NKJV

And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, saying, “Do not forsake your servants; come up to us quickly, save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the mountains have gathered together against us.” So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.” Joshua therefore came upon them suddenly, having marched all night from Gilgal. So the Lord routed them before Israel, killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them along the road that goes to Beth Horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah. And it happened, as they fled before Israel and were on the descent of Beth Horon, that the Lord cast down large hailstones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from the hailstones than the children of Israel killed with the sword.

Israel honored their word!

Surprise Surprise!!!

God’s people lived up to their word!

Hey, it still oughta work that way!

You should be honest and open and meet your obligations in this world!

Be on time for work!

Give your very best on that clock! Go the extra mile!

Be a witness for the name of Jesus!

And of course, let your yes be your yes and your no be your no!

I told the kids, I don’t need to “pinky promise.”

We do not swear by anything.

Because as an ambassador for Christ in this world, your word should be good enough!

That’s how Joshua saw things! So he gathered up all the warriors and they marched (one commentary said it was 21 miles from Gilgal to Gibeon!

They marched 21 miles in full battle rattle before the fight could even start!

Listen, these are not the kind of people you want to fool with!

All that marching in the desert for 40 years had hardened them and prepared them to be resourceful and very mobile fighting force!

I appreciate that they did not expect God to do all the work.

They did their best and trusted God for the rest!

The word used here, “eben” is translated in your Bible as “stone” 247 times.

God threw stones from heaven!

This word is rendered “Weights” 7 times, “Diverse weights” 3 times and once or twice it is “Hailstones” and “slingstones.” The NKJV renders it hailstones.

I was curious and looked it up: It can also mean stones containing metal ore!

So I couldn’t tell you exactly, if God threw small meteorites in a supernatural artillery barrage, or if they were indeed actual hailstones, thousands of frozen, jagged balls of ice.

I do know they have measured hailstones in North Dakota that were 8” around and weighed two pounds!

I do know that a hailstorm in Moradabad India killed 247 people in 1888.

I do know that this same God who makes seas and rivers stand up on end, fought for his people with stones that killed more of the enemy than all the swords of Isreal that day!

As you read this story, you begin to realize that God is playing for keeps!

He didn’t just get them across the river to leave them to their own devices!

He is serious about delivering on His promises!

He had promised his people this land!

Remember, Abraham had staked his claim! “Everywhere you set your foot Abram, it’s yours!”

Just because they had been stuck in Egypt for generations, did not change the fact!

This was and still is the ancestral land of the Jews!

God promised this land to the people!

But as you read on, you see that God was just getting started!

I’ve told you before: God honors his regular customers!

Joshua 10:12–14 NKJV

Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon; And Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.” So the sun stood still, And the moon stopped, Till the people had revenge Upon their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel.

Everything had come together to this point!

And as the light faded, Joshua was not willing to lose the initiative and allow the enemy to escape.

So he went out on a limb..

And folks, if any man ever went out on a limb, Joshua did that day!

He spoke to the Lord and yet commanded celestial bodies at the same time, and I’m not exactly sure how to explain that other than to say:

Awesome!!!!

So it was, that God stopped the Sun for 24 hours!

And sure enough, people have tried to explain that one away over the years and they try to compare it to other phenomena, but vs 14 clearly says: “There was no day before or after like it!”

Let me say this once more: When God gives you a promise, He will move heaven and earth to get you there!

III. Application & Scripture Support

So maybe you’re sitting here today and you’re thinking “Okay, sure, great, God fought for Israel, but what has that got to do with me, here and now?”

What do flying fish and Holy hailstones have to do with me?

Fair enough!

Here is the message:

Almighty God, Jesus Christ, will move heaven and earth to get you to your promised land and keep you there!

No matter the obstacles, no matter the threats dangers or fears, When God makes a promise, He absolutely will deliver!

So what is “the promised land” to a New Testament Christian man or woman?

What is our promised land?

I can tell you it is not heaven. There are no giants or walled cities or threats of any kind in heaven.

Your promised land is Christian maturity!

It is a victorious life!

An overcoming life!

Yes, geography is involved. To a point.

Some of us come from Northern California.

Some of us have moved here from far away.

But all of us are here for a reason!

Just like Brave, beautiful Esther, we have been placed here, by the favor of God, for such a time as this!

I told you: Geography is part of your promised land.

Not one person in this church today, is here by accident!

The place is important!

So too is timing.

God has a way of putting certain people in certain places at just the right time!

God knew judgement was appointed to the earth, and so He backtracked 120 years, and called a man on the ground to warn the people and build a boat!

God knew that seven years of famine was coming that would starve thousands upon thousands of families!

Years prior, Young Joseph had no clue such a thing waited dark upon the horizon!

When he was dragged into captivity in a foreign land, sold by his own blood kin, he might well have given himself over to bitterness and revenge!

But he did not do that!

He applied himself Instead! He worked hard He was honest, he was noble!

He overcame and matured!

And finally, raised to power and prominence, when famine came, he was at the right place at the right time to preserve life!

Just so, God has prepared you for this place and this time!

The weight of prophecy rests heavy on Northern California.

It has been spoken, time and again, that a wave of revival, like a ball of fire would roll down California, and that from here, it would spread across our world!

You have been chosen!

God has included you in this gentile harvest!

There is a part for you to play, a role for you to fill!

I see the hand of God on your life!

I know there are so many good and valid reasons to move somewhere cheaper!

It would be so much nicer in the Bible belt!

Your money goes so much farther elswhere!

Less taxes, less institutionalized Godlessness, but please don’t do it!

Wait on God!

I’d hate for you to miss out on what God is about to do!

We need you on the front lines!

The place is important and the timing is important!

I think of Elisha, walking with his prophet.

Something is about to happen Elijah says: You should stay here.”

“Just stay here.” Elijah said, but that young man Elisha recognized the pull of the supernatural!

Something supernatural is about to happen!

“It may be flying fish or holy hailstones, or maybe even a chariot of fire, but whatever it is, I have decided: I’m not gonna miss it!”

He purposed in his heart: “I will be at the right place, at the right time with the right attitude!”

And friend, when Elijah roared up to heaven, in that chariot of burning flame, he left only one thing behind!

HIs mantle!

All of that anointing, all of that authority, the calling of the prophet

Down it came, almost floating like a fallen autumn leaf...

If Elisha had not been hungry for the things of God,

If Elisha had been satisfied with the mundane and the status quo, satisfied with church as usual, that mantle would have hit the ground and lain in the dirt.

But because he was desperate for the things of God, He walked away with a second hand mantle and a first hand anointing!

I honor those generations that have served before us!

We honor those who have worked and invested and built here in the kingdom.

And yet I know that every generations needs their own prophets!

Hang in there friend!

Sacrifice if you must, but know that God sees everything!!!

The double portion does not come cheap.

But God will reward your hunger! He will reward your desperation!

Nathaniel was chilling under a tree, Peter was washing his nets, Mathew was scribbling in a ledger, Barnabas was investing in real estate, Paul was a zealous activist!, Cornelius was a commanding his soldiers and making his devotions!

On and on, normal people doing normal things, chosen by God to change their world!

Your promised land has an element of geography.

It has an element of Timing.

But more than just living in a certain place, The promised land is about living in certain principles.

Submission.

Holiness!

Consecration.

Hunger!

Faith that gives legs, hands and feet to good intentions!

Yes, I know that the enemy does not want you here!

Not you , not me, none of us!

He does not want you here and he does not want you here now!

And he desperately does not want you living in the principles of the Word of God!

So don’t lose it when a few giants come after you!

Don’t freak out and give up when evil alliances and strongholds withstand you!

that’s just tthe cost of being on the sharp end of the stick!

And friend when you need help, you can call on the One True God!

His name is Jesus!

Psalm 121 NKJV

A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Ephesians 6:11–13 NKJV

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

IV. Conclusion

I thnk the time has come to let God do the fighting for ya!

Listen, it’s not you in the ring!

That’s what David understood facing his giant!

“The God of my covenant will fight for me!”

Maybe there’s a giant just waiting for you to close your eyes at night.

Perhaps it is a river of obstruction, trying to deny you the promises of God!

If you are here today and you feel just a little outnumbered, and if you feel your lack of stength and resources today, I have come to encourage you!

I’ve come to remind you to stand upon the promises of God!

Your are in the right place!

You are serving the right God!

You are in the right Kingdom!

Everything is going to be all right!

Stand strong and stand firm!

Okay, now let’s pray!!!!

C’mon you prayer warriors: Let er rip!