WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.500 So we're going to look at Joshua 10 to 12 as we come towards the sort of conclusion and summary of the first stage of the conquest. 00:00:15.160 --> 00:00:17.539 So we'll read a few different sections. 00:00:17.900 --> 00:00:22.480 First of all, Joshua chapter 10 and the first 15 verses. 00:00:23.480 --> 00:00:29.839 Now, Adonai Zedek, king of Jerusalem, heard that Joshua had taken Ai and totally destroyed it. 00:00:30.359 --> 00:00:33.579 Doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king. 00:00:34.200 --> 00:00:38.840 And that the people of Gibeon had made a treaty of peace with Israel and had become their allies. 00:00:39.539 --> 00:00:45.840 He and his people were very much alarmed at this because Gibeon was an important city, like one of the royal cities. 00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:48.939 It was larger than Ai and all its men were good fighters. 00:00:49.500 --> 00:00:58.019 So Adonai Zedek, king of Jerusalem, appealed to Hotham, king of Hebron, Piram, king of Jarmath, Japhia, king of Lachish and Debiar, king of Eglon. 00:00:58.140 --> 00:00:59.960 Come up and help me attack Gibeon, he said. 00:01:00.539 --> 00:01:03.060 Because it has made peace with Joshua and the Israelites. 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:09.799 Then the five kings of the Amorites, the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmath, Lachish and Eglon joined forces. 00:01:10.359 --> 00:01:14.579 They moved up with all their troops and took up positions against Gibeon and attacked it. 00:01:15.280 --> 00:01:19.879 The Gibeonites then sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal, do not abandon your servants. 00:01:20.140 --> 00:01:26.019 Come up to us quickly and save us, help us, because all the Amorite kings from the hill country have joined forces against us. 00:01:26.019 --> 00:01:31.799 So Joshua marched up from Gilgal with his entire army, including all the best fighting men. 00:01:32.359 --> 00:01:34.719 The Lord said to Joshua, do not be afraid of them. 00:01:35.179 --> 00:01:36.819 I have given them into your hand. 00:01:37.079 --> 00:01:39.159 Not one of them will be able to withstand you. 00:01:39.159 --> 00:01:43.719 After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by surprise. 00:01:44.399 --> 00:01:50.500 The Lord threw them into confusion before Israel, so Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely at Gibeon. 00:01:50.500 --> 00:01:56.640 Israel pursued them along the road going up to Beth Horon and cut them down all the way to Azekah and Makedah. 00:01:57.019 --> 00:02:04.400 As they fled before Israel, on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them. 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:08.280 And more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites. 00:02:08.960 --> 00:02:14.340 On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel, 00:02:14.340 --> 00:02:20.099 Son, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the valley of Ejolon. 00:02:20.500 --> 00:02:27.819 So the sun stood still and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the book of Jashar. 00:02:28.639 --> 00:02:32.620 The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. 00:02:32.979 --> 00:02:38.800 There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. 00:02:39.500 --> 00:02:41.719 Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel. 00:02:42.420 --> 00:02:46.580 Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal. 00:02:46.580 --> 00:02:55.900 And then if you look with me to chapter 11, and we'll read the first six verses, a similar theme emerges. 00:02:55.900 --> 00:03:03.140 When Jabin, king of Hazor, heard of this, he sent word to Jobab, king of Madon, to the kings of Shimron and Akshaph, 00:03:03.640 --> 00:03:10.780 and to the northern kings who were in the mountains, in the Arabah, south of Kinneret, in the western foothills, and in Naphoth Dor on the west, 00:03:11.219 --> 00:03:16.040 to the Canaanites in the east and west, to the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, and Jebusites in the hill country, 00:03:16.580 --> 00:03:19.099 and to the Hivites below Hermon in the region of Mizpah. 00:03:19.099 --> 00:03:26.400 They came out with all their troops and a large number of horses and chariots, a huge army, as numerous as the sand on the seashore. 00:03:26.859 --> 00:03:32.400 All these kings joined forces and made camp together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel. 00:03:32.900 --> 00:03:40.299 The Lord said to Joshua, do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand all of them slain over to Israel. 00:03:40.799 --> 00:03:44.959 You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots. 00:03:44.960 --> 00:03:54.159 And then in chapter 12, we have an extended list after a few verses of kings who were defeated. 00:03:54.840 --> 00:03:57.020 So chapter 12 and in verse 7. 00:03:57.760 --> 00:04:03.760 Here is a list of the kings of the land that Joshua and the Israelites conquered on the west side of the Jordan, 00:04:03.900 --> 00:04:08.340 from Balgad in the valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, which rises towards Seir. 00:04:08.819 --> 00:04:13.520 Joshua gave their lands as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel according to their tribal divisions. 00:04:13.520 --> 00:04:19.980 The lands included the hill country, the western foothills, the Arabah, the mountain slopes, the wilderness and the Negev. 00:04:20.439 --> 00:04:24.480 These were the lands of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 00:04:24.860 --> 00:04:25.759 These were their kings. 00:04:26.240 --> 00:04:27.660 The king of Jericho, one. 00:04:28.120 --> 00:04:30.340 The king of Ai, near Bethel, one. 00:04:30.740 --> 00:04:32.540 The king of Jerusalem, one. 00:04:32.980 --> 00:04:34.660 The king of Hebron, one. 00:04:35.160 --> 00:04:41.860 And so it goes on until we discover 31 kings in all who were defeated by Joshua. 00:04:41.860 --> 00:04:52.680 So let's turn together to these chapters and discover what it says to us about God's great faithfulness. 00:04:52.680 --> 00:05:02.680 I was lamenting recently with a friend about high school English texts. 00:05:02.860 --> 00:05:04.540 Maybe you have one of those groans. 00:05:05.019 --> 00:05:15.019 In particular, thinking about being forced as a 13, 14 year old boy to read Sunset Song by Lewis Grasset Gibbon. 00:05:15.019 --> 00:05:21.659 Now I'm sure it's a classic, maybe you enjoy it, but it was just so hard to relate to at that stage. 00:05:22.039 --> 00:05:24.719 Now, think about what we've just read. 00:05:25.719 --> 00:05:30.279 Perhaps a really helpful question for us to ask when we come to a passage of the Bible is, 00:05:30.779 --> 00:05:31.759 why is it here? 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:36.079 Why does God want us to be reading this? 00:05:36.079 --> 00:05:44.379 But honestly, Joshua chapter 10 to 12 and other chapters like it, it could be hard to answer that question. 00:05:45.740 --> 00:05:51.659 That record of battles and cities and kings defeated and sometimes it reads really brutally. 00:05:52.199 --> 00:05:58.339 We come to that list in Joshua 12, 31 kings, one after the other after the other. 00:05:58.339 --> 00:06:04.879 And when we are removed from the battlefield, we're not fighting those wars. 00:06:05.219 --> 00:06:12.399 When we're separated by long history, it's easy, isn't it, to shrug our shoulders, to flick the pages over. 00:06:13.399 --> 00:06:20.620 But let me suggest that it's important that we stick with it and that we don't miss the wood for the trees. 00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:25.219 Don't miss the big picture in among these details. 00:06:25.220 --> 00:06:28.860 How would Israel hear this text? 00:06:28.980 --> 00:06:31.220 How would they hear this list? 00:06:31.840 --> 00:06:37.280 Dale Ralph Davis says, this is the Old Testament version for them of great is thy faithfulness. 00:06:37.880 --> 00:06:38.460 How come? 00:06:38.560 --> 00:06:42.020 How would they hear it and read it with such joy? 00:06:42.700 --> 00:06:47.900 Because here is the reality of God judging their enemies and God saving his people. 00:06:47.899 --> 00:06:55.399 Here is God keeping his promise that that first phase of entry into the promised land has now been completed. 00:06:56.179 --> 00:06:58.620 Here is God's glory on full display. 00:06:58.979 --> 00:07:03.479 Here is God's faithfulness to his covenant promise being revealed. 00:07:05.099 --> 00:07:10.519 So for us, it's helpful to get into the mindset of those first readers. 00:07:10.519 --> 00:07:16.019 And it's also helpful for us to put passages like these into the big picture of the Bible. 00:07:16.620 --> 00:07:20.959 What's the big story that goes from Genesis to Revelation? 00:07:22.000 --> 00:07:27.979 God is saving people so that they might live with him and enjoy him. 00:07:28.560 --> 00:07:30.959 And we see that then in Joshua. 00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:44.219 As I was getting ready for this, I came across a quote from Jonathan Edwards in regards to the saints in glory, but relevant for us, I think. 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:45.979 He said of them, 00:07:45.980 --> 00:08:07.379 So my prayer is that that would be true for us today, that we'd learn to see God's saving acts, 00:08:07.379 --> 00:08:15.439 that we would see more of how excellent he is so that we would love him and find our joy and delight and happiness in him. 00:08:15.980 --> 00:08:23.580 And also when we come to this scene of battles and war, to think about our own spiritual battles. 00:08:24.720 --> 00:08:30.580 And to think what truths and promises does our text have for us today? 00:08:31.280 --> 00:08:34.720 I have three themes that run through these chapters. 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:39.139 The first big theme is that of hard hearts. 00:08:39.139 --> 00:08:45.039 We saw in chapter 10 and chapter 11, a repeating theme, the enemies of God know God's plans. 00:08:45.039 --> 00:08:50.639 They oppose God's will and God's people and they fight against God. 00:08:51.099 --> 00:08:55.179 Chapter 10, we met Adonai Zedek, the king of Jerusalem. 00:08:56.159 --> 00:08:58.500 Now, how does he respond to what he knows of God? 00:08:58.559 --> 00:09:02.059 He knows about the defeat at Jericho and Ai at God's hand. 00:09:02.439 --> 00:09:05.079 And he's heard of Gibeon making a treaty of peace. 00:09:05.419 --> 00:09:06.099 Now, what does he do? 00:09:06.100 --> 00:09:14.519 He gathers, doesn't he, first five verses, an army of five kings to fight against Gibeon and the cause is clear. 00:09:15.019 --> 00:09:22.860 Verse four, come up and help me attack Gibeon because it has made peace with Joshua and the Israelites. 00:09:22.860 --> 00:09:32.159 And then what you have in the rest of the chapter from verse six to verse 27 is a record of the defeat of those kings. 00:09:32.759 --> 00:09:37.460 Those cities are destroyed as God is fighting for his people. 00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:45.940 And there's some significant imagery towards the end of our section, verse 24. 00:09:45.940 --> 00:09:48.780 So there's these five kings have been defeated. 00:09:49.420 --> 00:09:53.900 When they brought these kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders, 00:09:54.600 --> 00:09:59.120 come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings. 00:09:59.520 --> 00:10:04.940 That image promising certain victory over God's enemies. 00:10:05.980 --> 00:10:07.880 Joshua said to them, do not be afraid. 00:10:08.380 --> 00:10:11.340 This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you're going to fight. 00:10:11.340 --> 00:10:15.540 And then in verse 26, more imagery. 00:10:16.180 --> 00:10:20.960 Joshua put the kings to death and exposed their bodies on five poles. 00:10:21.139 --> 00:10:26.920 A theme that we've seen already, a reminder that these kings stand under the judgment of God. 00:10:27.320 --> 00:10:32.740 They are under the curse of God because they have hardened their heart towards God. 00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:35.840 So that's what's going on in the south. 00:10:35.840 --> 00:10:38.480 But the news spreads to the north. 00:10:38.600 --> 00:10:41.100 And that's what we read in the first five verses of chapter. 00:10:41.340 --> 00:10:42.060 11. 00:10:42.180 --> 00:10:47.120 So this diverse grouping of northern kings that we see they have one aim. 00:10:47.540 --> 00:10:48.980 Again, they want to destroy God. 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:51.340 They want to destroy God's plans. 00:10:51.560 --> 00:10:53.940 They want to destroy God's leaders. 00:10:55.060 --> 00:11:02.100 It made me think of the four gospels where we discover various diverse groups who come together 00:11:02.100 --> 00:11:05.480 because they want to get rid of Jesus. 00:11:05.480 --> 00:11:11.700 And again, the rest of chapter 11 shows defeat, destruction and cities taken. 00:11:11.879 --> 00:11:13.960 Verse 8 stands as a good summary. 00:11:15.100 --> 00:11:17.080 The Lord gave them into the hand of Israel. 00:11:17.620 --> 00:11:22.560 They defeated them and pursued them until no survivors were left. 00:11:22.559 --> 00:11:27.579 And then into chapter 12, we had that lengthy list of defeated kings. 00:11:28.119 --> 00:11:34.959 And those kings either directly attacked God's people in order to destroy, 00:11:35.399 --> 00:11:41.579 or they stand under the judgment of God because of their sin within Canaan. 00:11:41.580 --> 00:11:46.460 And only, we're told, only Gibeon ever seeks peace. 00:11:47.360 --> 00:11:51.180 In the face of the power of God, the clear evidence of his plan and purpose, 00:11:51.180 --> 00:11:53.580 the reality that he has for his people, 00:11:53.580 --> 00:11:59.720 everybody hardens their hearts except for Gibeon. 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:04.960 Now, before we leave this idea of hard hearts, 00:12:05.040 --> 00:12:12.420 it's important to recognize words in chapter 11 and verses 19 and 20. 00:12:12.540 --> 00:12:14.639 So we're told only Gibeon sought peace. 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:15.920 And then verse 20, 00:12:15.920 --> 00:12:23.140 For it was the Lord himself who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel. 00:12:23.580 --> 00:12:25.700 So that he might destroy them totally, 00:12:26.300 --> 00:12:31.300 exterminating them without mercy, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 00:12:32.080 --> 00:12:35.220 So just like Pharaoh in the story of the Exodus, 00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:38.900 there was fear with regards to the people of God. 00:12:38.980 --> 00:12:41.259 There was opposition to God himself. 00:12:41.440 --> 00:12:43.480 And that becomes a hardened resolve. 00:12:44.220 --> 00:12:48.140 I'm going to stand against God and against God's will. 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:50.800 They refused to learn from Gibeon's lesson. 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:54.139 And judgment comes from God. 00:12:54.299 --> 00:12:56.939 God gives them over to the desire of their heart. 00:12:57.019 --> 00:13:00.719 And the desire of their heart is to be hostile to God, 00:13:01.339 --> 00:13:04.500 to continue in rebellion against their creator, 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:06.439 to refuse his peace. 00:13:07.559 --> 00:13:08.620 And because of that, 00:13:08.679 --> 00:13:14.179 it is God's design that they be judged and destroyed. 00:13:14.179 --> 00:13:20.159 Now, what does this big theme about hard hearts teach us about God's salvation 00:13:20.159 --> 00:13:22.979 and about our spiritual battles? 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:28.459 Well, what we've seen in these chapters is stubborn determination 00:13:28.459 --> 00:13:31.759 to fight against one who is more powerful, 00:13:32.579 --> 00:13:35.759 where defeat is the only outcome. 00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:45.379 Boys and girls, maybe you can think of movies where baddies come and fight against a superhero. 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:48.319 And it's clear those superpowers are far too strong. 00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:50.039 And victory is certain. 00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:54.919 Or think about those stormtroopers who are always piling in to fight the Jedi. 00:13:55.819 --> 00:13:57.879 But they can never have a chance of victory. 00:13:57.879 --> 00:14:03.980 There's a stark warning in Joshua 10 to 12 00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:08.139 to nations, to kings, to secular societies 00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:11.639 about a deliberate rejection of God, 00:14:11.740 --> 00:14:14.059 about a standing against God 00:14:14.059 --> 00:14:16.639 and fighting against the knowledge of God. 00:14:16.779 --> 00:14:18.039 Remember Romans 1 says 00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:20.600 that the truth about God is in every human heart. 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:24.279 And people are suppressing that truth 00:14:24.279 --> 00:14:27.600 in unrighteousness, preferring darkness to light. 00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:30.759 But to persist in that stand 00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:35.740 is then to stand under God's just judgment. 00:14:36.700 --> 00:14:41.299 So that warning then is an encouragement to learn from Gibeon, 00:14:41.639 --> 00:14:43.919 to seek mercy, to seek peace, 00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:47.000 by seeking Jesus and his forgiveness. 00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:50.759 I think there's also a warning here 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:54.080 against those who we could describe as so near 00:14:54.080 --> 00:14:56.360 and yet so far. 00:14:56.360 --> 00:15:01.360 Those 31 kings in Joshua 12, 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:07.200 each of them live inside what God calls his promised land. 00:15:08.060 --> 00:15:11.240 Each of them knew God's plans. 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:15.659 Each of them knew they could have sought peace like Gibeon, 00:15:15.820 --> 00:15:17.460 but they refuse. 00:15:17.460 --> 00:15:23.340 And I wonder today if there are some listening 00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:29.480 who have experienced many privileges at God's hand. 00:15:29.560 --> 00:15:32.080 You have been to church perhaps since childhood. 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:34.220 You have a Bible that you read 00:15:34.220 --> 00:15:36.519 and you have been taught the gospel 00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:38.639 and you have that family heritage, 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:43.980 but still finding yourself fighting God's truth 00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:48.580 and resisting the claims of Jesus the Saviour. 00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:53.520 If that's you, let me urge you to turn to him, 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:55.480 to pray that your heart would be softened, 00:15:55.520 --> 00:15:57.259 your eyes to be open to the glory, 00:15:57.379 --> 00:16:00.020 the goodness and the love of the Lord Jesus, 00:16:00.920 --> 00:16:03.200 that you would have him as your Saviour. 00:16:04.700 --> 00:16:07.100 There are warnings, but there are also encouragements. 00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:09.960 There are encouragements for us in our spiritual battle. 00:16:09.960 --> 00:16:13.460 So God works and the people work 00:16:13.460 --> 00:16:15.580 and the wars that they fight 00:16:15.580 --> 00:16:18.340 are an expression of their obedience. 00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:21.440 Now, what war do we need to fight? 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:23.700 It's not physical against armies. 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:26.980 We need to fight against sin and temptation. 00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:30.480 And just as in the days of Joshua, 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:32.800 we have the promise of God's help. 00:16:32.900 --> 00:16:35.360 We have God's spirit within us. 00:16:35.780 --> 00:16:38.139 We have God's word to guide us. 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:40.500 We have the power of prayer. 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:44.860 We have the gift of fellowship to encourage us to persevere. 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:50.080 And so we keep fighting the good fight of our faith, 00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:54.080 remembering victory is secure because of Jesus. 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:58.279 Because in all this, we need to remember the gospel. 00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:02.139 And what do we find in Jesus? 00:17:02.939 --> 00:17:04.099 We find here is Jesus. 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:07.019 He is the perfect, sinless son of God. 00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:10.820 And Jesus, in love for us, 00:17:11.100 --> 00:17:12.840 as our representative, 00:17:13.540 --> 00:17:17.259 it becomes accursed for us. 00:17:17.300 --> 00:17:19.020 He goes under the judgment of God. 00:17:19.100 --> 00:17:21.720 He goes under the curse for us, 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:23.420 for our sin, 00:17:24.300 --> 00:17:26.780 so that we can look at the cross 00:17:26.780 --> 00:17:31.400 as a place of judgment and salvation, 00:17:31.400 --> 00:17:35.800 a place where Jesus is judged as if he were the worst of enemies, 00:17:35.800 --> 00:17:40.200 so that we who trust in him might be saved. 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:43.519 So that we would look to him today 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:45.960 and keep looking to him today 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:48.940 to recognize him as our only hope. 00:17:49.080 --> 00:17:51.880 If we are to escape eternal judgment, 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:55.880 if we are to know peace and eternal joy, 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:58.480 we need to be looking to Jesus. 00:17:58.480 --> 00:18:02.480 So from hard hearts, 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:07.779 let's move to our second big theme of servant saviours. 00:18:08.339 --> 00:18:09.380 The book of Joshua, 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:12.099 one of the aims that it's trying to achieve 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:13.660 is to present clear succession. 00:18:13.940 --> 00:18:15.220 God chose Moses 00:18:15.220 --> 00:18:17.579 and chose Joshua 00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:20.339 to take over from Moses. 00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:23.299 And as we read the stories, 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:25.519 we meet Joshua and a little bit Moses, 00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:27.639 remember that they are not presented 00:18:27.639 --> 00:18:29.240 as the true heroes of the story, 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:30.579 though they are faithful. 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:33.919 They are human agents for God, 00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:34.779 the great hero. 00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:37.220 They are servant saviours. 00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:39.539 And again, 00:18:39.899 --> 00:18:41.779 we'll see this in different passages 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:44.019 that Joshua and Moses 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:45.399 depend on God's guidance 00:18:45.399 --> 00:18:47.720 and they obey God's word. 00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:50.860 So we read as Joshua 00:18:50.860 --> 00:18:52.339 and the people fight for Gibeon. 00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:54.519 So chapter 10, verse 6 onwards, 00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:57.039 they do that to, first of all, 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:59.059 honour the peace treaty that was made. 00:18:59.620 --> 00:19:02.299 Now Gibeon is part of the people of God. 00:19:03.420 --> 00:19:05.660 And they also fight, 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:07.160 led by Joshua, 00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:08.740 following the Lord's command. 00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:11.079 Verse 8 of chapter 10, 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:12.460 The Lord said to Joshua, 00:19:12.579 --> 00:19:13.639 Do not be afraid of them. 00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:15.519 I have given them into your hand. 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:19.339 Not one of them will be able to withstand you. 00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:22.740 And we see in the story of fighting for Gibeon, 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:25.679 Joshua's great faith. 00:19:26.379 --> 00:19:29.339 We are presented with the miracle of prayer. 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:33.419 We see his desire to be obedient, 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:35.259 completely obedient, 00:19:35.379 --> 00:19:36.679 so that he calls on God 00:19:36.679 --> 00:19:38.359 to stop the sun and the moon 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:40.559 from moving. 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.759 And in so doing, 00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:46.039 they are able to completely defeat their enemies 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:47.779 in line with God's plan. 00:19:48.139 --> 00:19:50.500 And we've got that miracle of prayer, 00:19:50.779 --> 00:19:53.399 that reminder that the Lord listens. 00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:55.659 And the Lord listens 00:19:55.659 --> 00:19:58.099 to a human voice. 00:19:58.099 --> 00:20:01.779 And then in chapter 11, 00:20:02.359 --> 00:20:05.159 as the battle moves from the south to the north, 00:20:05.459 --> 00:20:07.459 we see Joshua fighting against kings 00:20:07.459 --> 00:20:09.159 and royal cities. 00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:12.919 And if you turn to verses 12 to 15, 00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:15.359 verse 12, 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:16.500 He totally destroyed them 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.879 as Moses, the servant of the Lord, 00:20:17.939 --> 00:20:18.339 had commanded. 00:20:18.439 --> 00:20:18.879 So here he is, 00:20:18.939 --> 00:20:21.379 being faithful to the command, 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:23.539 which is, of course, God's command. 00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:25.279 And in verse 15, 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:27.859 he left nothing undone 00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:30.279 of all that the Lord commanded. 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:32.740 He was fully obedient. 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:38.660 And then we're also reminded of Moses. 00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:42.240 And whenever Moses is talked about here, 00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:44.740 so chapter 11, verse 12, 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:47.180 Moses, the servant of the Lord, 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:49.220 verse 15, 00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:52.740 as the Lord commanded his servant Moses, 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:55.279 chapter 12, 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:58.259 and verse 6, 00:20:58.940 --> 00:20:59.420 Moses, 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:01.839 the servant of the Lord. 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:03.400 There's a pattern. 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:04.740 Four times, 00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:07.480 Moses will be described as God's servant, 00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:10.140 a reminder that he too led the people 00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:12.480 under God's rule. 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:15.480 So what is Joshua 10 to 12 teaching us? 00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:16.079 He's teaching us, 00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:17.640 when we think about the big picture, 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:20.519 that God appoints his chosen saviour, 00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:21.740 first Moses, then Joshua, 00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:24.980 and they would be a servant for God, 00:21:25.079 --> 00:21:28.660 one fully obedient to God's will. 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.839 Every battle they fought 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:33.480 would have a God-centered focus. 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:37.000 Now, do we see the significance for us 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:40.140 when we recognise that those Old Testament saviours 00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:44.700 are types of signposts to the Lord Jesus? 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:47.319 Jesus, we're told, 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.900 in his own words, 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:50.360 is both Messiah, 00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:52.299 he is God's anointed, 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.980 chosen king and saviour, 00:21:54.100 --> 00:21:57.220 and he is the suffering servant. 00:21:58.059 --> 00:21:59.880 I'm going to spend three weeks on Isaiah 53 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:01.500 with that focus. 00:22:02.360 --> 00:22:04.259 Jesus, we know from his own words 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:04.900 and from his life, 00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:07.539 is fully obedient to his Father's will, 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:09.740 and he goes into battle 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:12.139 in obedience to his Father's will 00:22:12.139 --> 00:22:13.559 and seeking his Father's glory, 00:22:13.659 --> 00:22:15.299 and that leads him into that deepest 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:16.980 of all spiritual battles. 00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:19.180 It leads him to the cross, 00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:21.319 where he suffers and dies 00:22:21.319 --> 00:22:23.480 in our place for our sins 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:28.259 to defeat the spiritual powers of darkness. 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:30.819 And what then is the victory 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:32.599 that Jesus secures for his people? 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:35.019 Well, after his suffering 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:37.000 and after his death, 00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:40.339 there is victory over the penalty 00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:41.440 and the power of sin 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:43.099 because he didn't stay dead, 00:22:43.140 --> 00:22:44.180 but he rose again. 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:47.700 The great enemy of death has been defeated. 00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:50.400 Peace with God is now reality 00:22:50.400 --> 00:22:53.500 for all who put their trust in the Lord Jesus. 00:22:53.680 --> 00:22:55.700 Eternal life is certain. 00:22:56.660 --> 00:22:57.980 In the true promised land, 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:59.640 the new heaven and the new earth 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:01.539 for all who will look to Jesus 00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:02.440 and be saved. 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:04.640 So our question then is, 00:23:04.900 --> 00:23:08.500 will I be led by Jesus, 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.759 the servant saviour? 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:13.500 Will I trust him? 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:17.599 In the spiritual battle that we go through, 00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:19.039 will I follow, 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:20.960 in my commander in chief, 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:23.059 will I follow in his footsteps? 00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:26.200 In the fight that we are called to, 00:23:26.200 --> 00:23:28.900 where we're to fight against our sin, 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:30.160 to be killing sin, 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:34.559 to fight for holiness in our own lives 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:39.500 and to look to extend his kingdom 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:41.259 in our witness, 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.200 in our words, 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:42.940 in our actions, 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:45.600 in the lives of others? 00:23:46.400 --> 00:23:49.880 Will I follow King Jesus, 00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:52.100 the servant saviour? 00:23:52.099 --> 00:23:56.559 And the last big theme, 00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:57.059 in a sense, 00:23:57.179 --> 00:24:00.740 the dominant theme of chapters 10 to 12 00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:03.240 is God's glory. 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:06.319 Now, if you enjoy sports, 00:24:06.379 --> 00:24:08.679 you'll know that sports journalists 00:24:08.679 --> 00:24:09.959 or in sports coverage, 00:24:10.379 --> 00:24:13.079 sometimes they like to highlight success 00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:15.419 and victory in a certain way. 00:24:15.420 --> 00:24:16.700 So they'll maybe highlight, 00:24:17.080 --> 00:24:19.019 that's now 20 wins in a row. 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:22.200 Or this team has a record 00:24:22.200 --> 00:24:23.980 of 68 games undefeated. 00:24:24.340 --> 00:24:26.140 Or here's the number of victories 00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:27.220 that this player has had 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:28.820 over other top 10 players. 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:29.680 And the point 00:24:29.680 --> 00:24:31.820 is that those details 00:24:31.820 --> 00:24:33.900 are intended to increase the glory 00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:36.500 of a team or an athlete. 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:38.759 Now, you think about what we just 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:40.100 sort of read in summary, 00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:41.560 Joshua 10 to 12. 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:44.500 What do we see in big, bold letters? 00:24:45.679 --> 00:24:47.480 We see God is glorious King. 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:49.579 God is glorious Father 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:51.220 for his people 00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:53.460 against his enemies, 00:24:53.559 --> 00:24:56.079 winning victory after victory. 00:24:57.259 --> 00:24:58.639 So here is a cause 00:24:58.639 --> 00:25:00.559 for the Old Testament people of God 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:01.139 to sing, 00:25:01.319 --> 00:25:03.079 great is thy faithfulness 00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:05.179 in every battle won, 00:25:05.639 --> 00:25:08.359 in every piece of ground taken, 00:25:08.359 --> 00:25:11.519 in every hostile enemy defeated, 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:13.579 there is more and more evidence 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:15.139 of God's faithful love 00:25:15.139 --> 00:25:16.599 of his keeping, 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:18.139 his covenant promise. 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:19.700 So they have more cause 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.200 to praise, 00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:20.679 to enjoy, 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:21.460 to love, 00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:23.539 the more they see of God's acts, 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:25.240 as Jonathan Edwards said. 00:25:25.679 --> 00:25:27.639 Two ways that we can think about 00:25:27.639 --> 00:25:29.679 God's glory 00:25:29.679 --> 00:25:30.940 and what he gives to his people. 00:25:31.399 --> 00:25:32.039 First of all, 00:25:32.119 --> 00:25:33.980 victory from the Lord. 00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:36.220 There is in chapters 10 and 11 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:37.419 a recurring phrase, 00:25:37.419 --> 00:25:38.500 I have given 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:40.480 or I will hand them over. 00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:43.200 Let me show you a few. 00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:44.740 Chapter 10, verse 8. 00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:46.240 Do not be afraid of them. 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:47.940 I have given them 00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:49.120 into your hand. 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:49.860 Not one of them 00:25:49.860 --> 00:25:51.360 will be able to withstand you. 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:53.620 Chapter 10, verse 30. 00:25:54.120 --> 00:25:56.640 The Lord also gave the city 00:25:56.640 --> 00:25:59.620 and its king 00:25:59.620 --> 00:26:03.620 into Israel's hand. 00:26:03.619 --> 00:26:05.819 chapter 11, verse 6. 00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:07.179 The Lord said to Joshua, 00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:08.459 do not be afraid of them 00:26:08.459 --> 00:26:10.319 because by this time tomorrow 00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:12.179 I will hand all of them 00:26:12.179 --> 00:26:12.939 slain 00:26:12.939 --> 00:26:14.799 over to Israel. 00:26:16.139 --> 00:26:17.779 And chapter 11, verse 8. 00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:18.979 The Lord gave them 00:26:18.979 --> 00:26:20.779 into the hand 00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:21.419 of Israel. 00:26:21.479 --> 00:26:22.159 So it's clear 00:26:22.159 --> 00:26:23.179 that this victory 00:26:23.179 --> 00:26:24.059 comes from 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:25.159 the Lord, 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:26.159 the Lord of glory. 00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:27.240 and his power 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:29.220 is on display. 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:31.560 In the account 00:26:31.560 --> 00:26:32.400 of the victory 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:33.560 over Gibeon, 00:26:33.620 --> 00:26:34.480 we saw two things. 00:26:34.580 --> 00:26:35.200 In verse 10, 00:26:35.860 --> 00:26:36.540 the Lord throws 00:26:36.540 --> 00:26:37.100 the enemies 00:26:37.100 --> 00:26:38.060 into confusion. 00:26:38.560 --> 00:26:39.259 And verse 11, 00:26:39.340 --> 00:26:40.019 the Lord throws 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:41.140 down great hailstones 00:26:41.140 --> 00:26:42.420 and more are killed 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:43.200 by the hailstones 00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:43.779 that are killed 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.779 in the battle. 00:26:45.100 --> 00:26:46.080 We see God's glory 00:26:46.080 --> 00:26:47.360 too in the sun 00:26:47.360 --> 00:26:47.920 and the moon 00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:48.680 stopping. 00:26:48.680 --> 00:26:49.420 So either, 00:26:50.140 --> 00:26:51.560 and commentators 00:26:51.559 --> 00:26:53.159 take different views. 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:53.919 Either God 00:26:53.919 --> 00:26:55.339 extends the day 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:56.759 so that they're able 00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:57.759 to continue the fighting 00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.319 all day long 00:26:58.319 --> 00:27:00.299 or he extends 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:00.940 the darkness 00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:01.440 of night 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:02.079 so there is 00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:03.279 the night time 00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:03.899 raid 00:27:03.899 --> 00:27:05.139 and then 00:27:05.139 --> 00:27:06.279 in the chaos 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:06.799 and confusion 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:07.299 of night time 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:08.119 that victory 00:27:08.119 --> 00:27:08.639 comes. 00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:09.460 But it's a miracle 00:27:09.460 --> 00:27:10.480 either way. 00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:11.599 God's glory 00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:12.879 on display. 00:27:12.879 --> 00:27:13.700 The battle 00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:15.200 belongs to the Lord. 00:27:15.639 --> 00:27:16.559 Judgment and salvation 00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:17.460 come from him 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:19.059 and he is the personal 00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:19.940 covenant making, 00:27:20.179 --> 00:27:20.960 covenant keeping, 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:21.900 Lord 00:27:21.900 --> 00:27:22.420 and the people 00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:23.220 are invited 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:23.980 to trust him 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:25.160 and rejoice in him. 00:27:25.620 --> 00:27:26.480 So there's victory 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:27.279 from the Lord 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:29.340 but there's also 00:27:29.340 --> 00:27:31.900 rest from the Lord. 00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:33.180 That's why we read 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:33.720 from Hebrews 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.279 at the beginning. 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:36.259 In verse 11, 00:27:36.400 --> 00:27:36.900 chapter 11, 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.640 verse 23, 00:27:37.640 --> 00:27:39.059 so Joshua took 00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:40.120 the entire land 00:27:40.120 --> 00:27:41.500 just as the Lord 00:27:41.500 --> 00:27:42.579 had directed Moses 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.920 and he gave it 00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:44.920 as an inheritance 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:45.759 to Israel 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:47.120 according to 00:27:47.120 --> 00:27:48.279 their tribal divisions. 00:27:48.680 --> 00:27:49.579 Then the land 00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:50.799 had rest. 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:51.640 from war. 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:54.759 Think for a moment 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:55.720 how amazing 00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:56.799 this is. 00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:58.039 Here is this tiny, 00:27:58.600 --> 00:27:59.480 inexperienced, 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:01.039 landless nation 00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:02.660 and they have 00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:03.440 defeated 00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:06.240 33 kings. 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:08.420 And God has 00:28:08.420 --> 00:28:09.180 given them 00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:09.720 that land 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.960 as their inheritance 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:11.759 and he has given 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.700 them rest. 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:14.140 And what's that rest? 00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:15.420 Back to the Garden 00:28:15.420 --> 00:28:15.740 of Eden, 00:28:15.860 --> 00:28:16.940 it's rest to enjoy 00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:19.039 God in his creation. 00:28:19.820 --> 00:28:20.820 Life with God 00:28:20.820 --> 00:28:22.620 in his place, 00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:24.140 under his rule 00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:25.120 and blessing. 00:28:25.860 --> 00:28:27.340 That's the ultimate 00:28:27.340 --> 00:28:27.680 gift. 00:28:28.320 --> 00:28:29.600 That's God's desire 00:28:29.600 --> 00:28:30.840 for his people 00:28:30.840 --> 00:28:31.900 then and his desire 00:28:31.900 --> 00:28:32.400 for his people 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:33.080 now that we would 00:28:33.080 --> 00:28:34.600 live in his presence, 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:35.740 enjoying his rule, 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:37.299 enjoying his goodness 00:28:37.299 --> 00:28:38.640 all of our days. 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:40.200 So Joshua 10 to 12 00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:40.799 gives us really 00:28:40.799 --> 00:28:41.759 helpful insight 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:42.740 into salvation 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:44.200 because it reminds us 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:44.720 clearly 00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:46.059 we, 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:46.920 the people of God, 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:47.740 are saved 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:49.120 by God's grace. 00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:51.900 Just as tiny Israel 00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:52.900 couldn't by themselves 00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:54.319 defeat vast nations, 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:56.079 we cannot by ourselves 00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:57.500 defeat our enemy 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:58.359 of sin 00:28:58.359 --> 00:28:59.839 leading to death. 00:28:59.960 --> 00:29:00.500 By ourselves 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:01.440 we will be fearful 00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:01.980 of death, 00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:03.319 we will be condemned 00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:04.400 by sin. 00:29:04.859 --> 00:29:05.960 There is no escape 00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:06.380 from that. 00:29:06.460 --> 00:29:07.740 We cannot make ourselves 00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:08.460 holy enough 00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:08.980 for God 00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:10.140 to accept this 00:29:10.140 --> 00:29:11.759 and so by ourselves 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:14.299 we should face 00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:15.059 the same judgment 00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:15.980 and same curse 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:16.960 as all those kings 00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:18.180 and all those nations. 00:29:18.880 --> 00:29:19.539 But God, 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:22.299 but God in his grace 00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:23.840 sent Jesus 00:29:23.840 --> 00:29:24.779 to redeem them. 00:29:26.400 --> 00:29:27.579 God gave Jesus 00:29:27.579 --> 00:29:29.120 as a gift 00:29:29.120 --> 00:29:30.059 of grace 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:31.680 to us, 00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:34.160 infinitely costly 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:34.960 to God 00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:37.079 as he gave 00:29:37.079 --> 00:29:37.740 his son 00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:38.799 up to death 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:40.600 but free 00:29:40.600 --> 00:29:41.079 for us 00:29:41.079 --> 00:29:41.840 to receive 00:29:41.840 --> 00:29:43.759 by turning 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:44.380 from sin 00:29:44.380 --> 00:29:45.900 and by faith 00:29:45.900 --> 00:29:46.279 in him. 00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:47.759 So we're saved 00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:48.360 by grace 00:29:48.360 --> 00:29:49.720 and we have 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.900 the promise 00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:51.559 of a still 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:53.120 greater rest. 00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:53.960 As Hebrews 4 00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:54.259 said, 00:29:54.360 --> 00:29:55.200 the Sabbath rest 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:56.680 still remains 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.380 for the people 00:29:57.380 --> 00:29:57.940 of God. 00:29:58.680 --> 00:29:59.600 And so the promised 00:29:59.600 --> 00:30:00.079 land, 00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:01.100 there's Israel 00:30:01.100 --> 00:30:02.759 inherited the land 00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.779 and having rest 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:05.279 is just a picture 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:07.680 of eternal 00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:08.539 glory 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.920 still to come. 00:30:11.099 --> 00:30:12.119 And God 00:30:12.119 --> 00:30:13.039 is the one 00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:13.839 who makes that 00:30:13.839 --> 00:30:14.379 possible. 00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:15.940 God is the one 00:30:15.940 --> 00:30:16.899 who is faithful 00:30:16.899 --> 00:30:18.660 and he will do it. 00:30:18.879 --> 00:30:20.079 He will hold us fast. 00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:20.700 He will not 00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:21.920 lose any 00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:22.980 and we must, 00:30:23.599 --> 00:30:24.339 as Hebrews says, 00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:25.099 we must strive 00:30:25.099 --> 00:30:26.339 to enter into that rest 00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:27.539 knowing all that God 00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:28.180 has done. 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:29.940 We must work. 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:32.279 We must have faith 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:33.319 in God's promises 00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:34.399 and God's character 00:30:34.399 --> 00:30:35.799 and we must live 00:30:35.799 --> 00:30:37.059 in obedience 00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:38.799 in the spiritual battles 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:40.579 in the discouragements 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:42.440 that we face. 00:30:43.980 --> 00:30:45.019 So back to where 00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:45.639 we began 00:30:45.639 --> 00:30:46.920 and that question, 00:30:47.059 --> 00:30:48.200 why is this text 00:30:48.200 --> 00:30:48.619 here? 00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:50.859 Why do we need 00:30:50.859 --> 00:30:51.579 to read this? 00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:52.539 I hope by digging 00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:53.559 in we can see 00:30:53.559 --> 00:30:55.319 more clearly 00:30:55.319 --> 00:30:56.720 that chapters 00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:57.139 like these 00:30:57.139 --> 00:30:57.740 would become 00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:59.200 for us 00:30:59.200 --> 00:30:59.879 like old 00:30:59.879 --> 00:31:00.839 family albums. 00:31:00.839 --> 00:31:01.859 You know when you 00:31:01.859 --> 00:31:03.220 dig into your old 00:31:03.220 --> 00:31:04.859 family photos, 00:31:05.039 --> 00:31:06.259 you rake through them 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.339 and you get those 00:31:07.339 --> 00:31:08.259 sweet reminders 00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:09.639 of love, 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:10.459 of happy times, 00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:11.279 of connection 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:13.259 to family members 00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:15.000 and that Joshua 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:15.740 10 to 12 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:16.759 would be a sweet 00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:17.339 reminder 00:31:17.339 --> 00:31:19.179 to us 00:31:19.179 --> 00:31:20.419 of God's 00:31:20.419 --> 00:31:21.699 loving faithfulness 00:31:21.699 --> 00:31:23.379 and of salvation 00:31:23.379 --> 00:31:24.679 that comes 00:31:24.679 --> 00:31:26.199 from him. 00:31:27.519 --> 00:31:28.799 That it would take us 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:29.319 to the whole 00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:30.240 big picture 00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:31.299 of God's 00:31:31.299 --> 00:31:31.839 salvation 00:31:31.839 --> 00:31:32.399 and God's 00:31:32.399 --> 00:31:32.799 desire 00:31:32.799 --> 00:31:33.240 that he would 00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:33.859 be with his 00:31:33.859 --> 00:31:35.180 people forever. 00:31:36.339 --> 00:31:36.899 That that 00:31:36.899 --> 00:31:38.399 picture, 00:31:38.579 --> 00:31:39.299 that story 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:40.180 of God's 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:40.539 salvation 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:41.500 that climaxes 00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:42.039 at the cross, 00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:42.639 it would be 00:31:42.639 --> 00:31:43.919 our family 00:31:43.919 --> 00:31:45.440 album of memories, 00:31:45.639 --> 00:31:46.980 memories of God's 00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:47.700 faithfulness 00:31:47.700 --> 00:31:48.980 to strengthen us 00:31:48.980 --> 00:31:50.339 in knowing 00:31:50.339 --> 00:31:51.039 our Father 00:31:51.039 --> 00:31:51.740 loves us 00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:53.139 and that in 00:31:53.139 --> 00:31:53.539 Jesus 00:31:53.539 --> 00:31:54.639 our salvation 00:31:54.639 --> 00:31:56.299 and our future 00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:56.759 home 00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:58.279 is secure. 00:31:58.799 --> 00:32:00.799 Amen.