OVERVIEW: The conquest and destruction of Jericho; the sin of Achan; the destruction of Ai; the deception of the Gibeonites and their subsequent covenant with Israel; Joshua leads Israel in victory after victory.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
As Christians, we face many “Jerichos” in our lives. Like the spies at Kadesh, we, too, often want to give up at the sight of insurmountable odds. (Num. 13:28–33) But Joshua chapter 6 teaches us that no wall is too high, no barrier so impenetrable, and no sin so great that our Lord Jesus Christ cannot give us the victory. Take notice from Joshua 5:14 in yesterday’s reading that the soldier who fights most powerfully and experiences the victories God intends, is the one who bows the lowest before battle! God is picturing for us the fact that the battles we face in the Christian life are won on our KNEES and on our FACES before the Lord! (Eph. 6:10–18; 1 Pet. 5:6–8)
Note also in today’s reading that no man can take a city by himself. It is no small thing that Joshua had the loyal cooperation of the priests and the people, and that together they overcame the enemy! The Book of Hebrews commands us not to forsake assembling ourselves together, as so many in the last days are doing (You know, the old “You don’t have to go to church to be spiritual” stuff!), but it tells us to exhort one another, and especially as we get closer to Christ’s return! (Heb. 10:25) We all need the accountability and help that our brothers and sisters in our own local church provide, in order to keep our enemies defeated, so we can possess the fullness of what God intends for our lives. (1 Cor. 1:10) It is the only way we can live in victory. (Matt. 16:18)
In chapter 7, God reveals to us the consequences of secret sin. Achan had secretly taken some of the spoils from Jericho in direct disobedience to God’s command. (Josh. 6:18–19) Because of this sin in Israel’s camp, they suffered their first defeat. What is interesting, is that in Joshua 8:2, unlike in the battle with Jericho where all the spoils of the city were to be reserved to God alone, God now instructed the children of Israel to take the spoils from Ai unto themselves! Had Achan simply waited a few days, he would have had all the wealth he could have carried! (Matt. 6:33) How much like our FLESH to prematurely TAKE what the SPIRIT is fully capable of and even planning to PROVIDE!
Note specifically in Joshua chapter 8 that Ai represents the daily battle we have against the flesh. (Gal.5:17) In 8:3, notice the wording. It says, “So Joshua arose,” and thereby, led Israel to victory against Ai. Recognize that for New Testament believers, it pictures the fact that it is only through the power of Christ’s resurrection that we can conquer and defeat the enemy of our flesh! In verse 6, we are told that “they will come out after us,” picturing the fact that the members of our fleshly bodies will come out to fight against the Spirit until we receive our glorified bodies! (Rom. 8:23; Eph. 4:30; Rom. 6:12–13; Col. 3:5) Notice also that the end of verse 9 says, “Joshua lodged that night among the people.”
We have this same promise, that our Joshua (Jesus), in this biblical “nighttime” in which we are presently living in the Church Age (Rom. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:4–9), that our Lord Jesus Christ “lodges” with us, as it were, by His Spirit, to provide our victory over the flesh. (Rom. 7:24–25; 8:9–14; Eph. 3:16)
Gibeon was the next city to be taken after the victories of Israel at Jericho and Ai. Notice that the Gibeonites used deceit as their tool to avoid destruction. In chapter 9, they posed themselves as ambassadors from a far country who wanted to be the servants of Israel. They succeeded in getting this agreement (or covenant) from the leaders of Israel before their true identity was revealed. Oh, my brothers and sisters, may we beware! Like the Gibeonites, our flesh will do everything within its power to try to make deals with us. so it can escape death!
Note also that there is a lesson for us to learn by the timing of this whole ordeal with the Gibeonites! It is often after taking God at His Word in trusting Him for great spiritual victories that the next attack of our flesh will be to “work wilily” (9:4) in agreeing to be the “servant” of the Spirit, so it doesn’t have to die! We must learn that our flesh is as deceptive as Satan himself! We must, therefore, never let our guard down! The only answer to the flesh, folks, is DEATH! May we join Paul in saying, “I die daily!” (1 Cor. 15:31).
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
In the ARK OF THE COVENANT – Joshua 6 (Like God’s presence dwelt within Israel in the ark, God’s presence now dwells in us by the Spirit of Christ – I Cor. 6:19; Rom. 8:9).
Through JOSHUA – Joshua 8 and 10 (He is the only one who can lead us to daily victory over our flesh.)