Study 18: Joshua 10: 1-15

In this study on Joshua 10:1-15, Trent explores the themes of divine intervention and identity in God. Beginning with a brief mention of Father's Day, the study revisits the deception of the Gibeonites in Joshua 9 and their subsequent servitude to Israel, highlighting God's redemptive purposes even in their curse. When Gibeon is threatened by a coalition of Amorite kings, they call for Joshua's help, leveraging their identity as Israel's servants. Joshua, reassured by God's promise of victory, leads an all-night march, taking the Amorite armies by surprise. God intervenes dramatically, throwing the enemy into confusion and using hailstones to secure Israel’s triumph. Joshua's bold prayer for the sun to stand still exemplifies his faith and God's sovereign power. The study concludes by encouraging believers to embrace their identity as God's servants, rely on His strength, and give Him glory for victories in their lives, emphasizing the importance of humility and obedience.

Sermon Outline

Introduction (0:00 - 1:54)

• Greeting and brief Father's Day mention.

• Acknowledgment of fathers, stepdads, and grandfathers.

1. Opening Prayer (1:54 - 4:03)

• Prayer for understanding and application of the scripture.

• Asking God to reveal His character, mercy, and love through the passage.

2. Recap of Joshua 9 (4:03 - 7:20)

• Summary of the Gibeonites' deception and their peace treaty with Israel.

• Explanation of the curse: Gibeonites becoming woodcutters and water carriers, which allowed them to serve in worship.

3. The Threat to Gibeon (7:20 - 10:53)

• Introduction of Adoni-Zedek, king of Jerusalem, and his alliance with other Amorite kings.

• Gibeon's call for Joshua's help due to the impending attack.

4. God's Assurance to Joshua (10:53 - 12:43)

• God's message to Joshua: "Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand."

• Historical context: God's long-standing patience and eventual judgment of the Amorites.

5. Joshua’s Response and All-Night March (12:43 - 16:00)

• Joshua's immediate action, leading his best fighting men on an all-night march to Gibeon.

• The element of surprise against the Amorite armies.

6. Divine Intervention (16:00 - 18:36)

• God's direct involvement: confusion among the enemy, large hailstones killing more than Israelite swords.

• Emphasis on God's power and judgment.

7. Joshua’s Bold Prayer (18:36 - 24:12)

• Joshua's prayer for the sun to stand still and the moon to stop.

• God's miraculous extension of the day to ensure complete victory.

8. Theological Implications and Identity in Christ (24:12 - 28:32)

• Believers' identity as God's servants (doulos) and the importance of humility.

• Comparison of believers' righteousness to the Gibeonites’ situation.

9. Practical Applications (28:32 - 39:28)

• Encouragement to trust in God's strength and provision.

• Reminder of the power of prayer and God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises.

10. Call to Reflection and Prayer (39:28 - 57:24)

• Invitation for personal reflection on one's relationship with God.

• Encouragement to cry out to God for healing and restoration in areas of brokenness.

• Closing prayer and final remarks, emphasizing the importance of giving glory to God for victories.

Scripture References

1. Joshua 9:3-6 (4:03)

• Description: The Gibeonites' deception and peace treaty with Israel.

• Relation to Sermon: Sets the context for Joshua 10, highlighting the deceptive treaty that leads to the Gibeonites' servitude.

1. Joshua 9:21 (4:03)

• Description: The curse of the Gibeonites becoming woodcutters and water carriers.

• Relation to Sermon: Illustrates God’s redemptive mercy even in judgment, allowing the Gibeonites to serve in worship.

1. Joshua 10:1-5 (7:20)

• Description: Alliance of Amorite kings to attack Gibeon.

• Relation to Sermon: Introduces the conflict and sets the stage for Joshua's intervention.

1. Joshua 10:6 (10:53)

• Description: Gibeonites' plea for Joshua’s help.

• Relation to Sermon: Demonstrates the Gibeonites' reliance on their new identity as Israel’s servants.

1. Joshua 10:8 (10:53)

• Description: God's assurance to Joshua of victory.

• Relation to Sermon: Highlights God’s promise and encouragement to Joshua, reinforcing the theme of divine intervention.

1. Genesis 15:13-16 (12:43)

• Description: Prophecy about the Amorites and God’s patience with them.

• Relation to Sermon: Provides historical context for the Amorites' judgment, showing God's long-term plan and patience.

1. 2 Peter 3:9 (14:53)

• Description: God's patience and desire for repentance.

• Relation to Sermon: Emphasizes God’s mercy and long-suffering nature, tying it to the Amorites' situation.

1. Ephesians 2:8-9 (31:01)

• Description: Salvation by grace through faith, not by works.

• Relation to Sermon: Parallels the Gibeonites' unmerited favor with Israel and believers’ unmerited grace from God.

1. Philippians 4:13 (19:28)

• Description: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

• Relation to Sermon: Encourages believers to rely on God's strength, similar to Joshua’s reliance on God’s promise.

1. Philippians 4:19 (19:28)

• Description: "My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."

• Relation to Sermon: Reinforces the idea of God's provision and faithfulness.

1. John 1:12 (17:14)

• Description: "To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."

• Relation to Sermon: Highlights believers' identity in Christ, analogous to the Gibeonites' new identity.

1. Micah 6:8 (23:05)

• Description: "To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

• Relation to Sermon: Calls for humility and justice, aligning with the theme of servanthood and obedience.

1. Exodus 21:1-6 (22:10)

• Description: Laws about Hebrew slaves.

• Relation to Sermon: Used to explain the concept of servitude (doulos) and God’s provisions for servants.

1. Ephesians 3:20 (39:28)

• Description: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."

• Relation to Sermon: Emphasizes God's power working in believers, tying to the theme of divine empowerment.

1. Joshua 10:12-14 (40:36)

• Description: Joshua’s prayer for the sun to stand still.

• Relation to Sermon: Demonstrates Joshua’s bold faith and God’s miraculous intervention.

1. Joshua 10:15 (44:23)

• Description: Joshua and Israel’s return to the camp at Gilgal after victory.

• Relation to Sermon: Concludes the battle narrative, emphasizing God’s faithfulness and the completion of His promises.

Reflection Questions

1. Trusting in God’s Promises

• Scripture for Meditation: Joshua 10:8

• “The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.’”

• Question: How can you apply God’s assurance to Joshua in your own life situations where you feel overwhelmed or outnumbered?

2. Understanding Divine Intervention

• Scripture for Meditation: Joshua 10:11

• “As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites.”

• Question: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's intervention in a challenging situation. How did it change your perspective on His power and presence in your life?

3. Embracing Our Identity in Christ

• Scripture for Meditation: John 1:12

• “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

• Question: What does it mean to you to be a child of God? How does this identity affect the way you live and interact with others?

4. The Power of Bold Prayer

• Scripture for Meditation: Joshua 10:12

• “Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel: ‘Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.’”

• Question: What bold prayers have you prayed or need to pray in your life? How does Joshua’s example encourage you to have faith in God’s ability to answer?

5. Living with Humility and Obedience

• Scripture for Meditation: Micah 6:8

• “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

• Question: In what areas of your life do you need to practice more humility and obedience to God? How can you intentionally cultivate these qualities?

Word Study

1. Doulos (δοῦλος)

• Original Language Text: Greek (δοῦλος)

• Definition: A servant or slave, often used to describe someone who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another, his will being altogether consumed in the will of the other.

• Scripture References:

• Philippians 1:1: “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons.”

• Romans 1:1: “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God.”

• Connection to the Study:

• In the sermon, Trent emphasizes the importance of recognizing our identity as “doulos” of God, drawing a parallel between the Gibeonites’ servitude and our own servitude to Christ. Understanding ourselves as God’s servants helps us embrace humility and obedience.

• Question for Meditation:

• How does recognizing yourself as a “doulos” of Christ influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?

2. Yare’ (יָרֵא)

• Original Language Text: Hebrew (יָרֵא)

• Definition: To fear, be afraid, reverence, honor, respect.

• Scripture References:

• Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

• Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

• Connection to the Study:

• In Joshua 10:8, God tells Joshua not to fear the Amorite kings. This assurance encourages believers to trust in God's protection and sovereignty, reinforcing that our fear should be directed towards revering God rather than fearing our circumstances.

• Question for Meditation:

• What situations in your life are causing you fear, and how can you shift your focus to reverence and trust in God’s power and promises?

3. Emunah (אֱמוּנָה)

• Original Language Text: Hebrew (אֱמוּנָה)

• Definition: Faithfulness, fidelity, steadfastness, trustworthiness.

• Scripture References:

• Deuteronomy 7:9: “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”

• Lamentations 3:22-23: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

• Connection to the Study:

• The study highlights God's faithfulness in keeping His promises to Joshua and Israel. Understanding “emunah” helps believers appreciate God’s unwavering reliability and encourages them to remain steadfast in their faith.

• Question for Meditation:

• Reflect on instances in your life where you have experienced God's faithfulness. How does this strengthen your trust in Him for current and future challenges?