Sermon Tone Analysis

Joshua 5:13-15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen Caswell © 1999

 

John Curtains Policy in World War II.

During World War II when John Curtain was prime minister of Australia, his government formulated a defence policy known as the Brisbane line.

If Japan attacked Australia, they would concede the northern part of Australia and only defend the country from Brisbane south.

Fortunately the American Government came to Australia's aid.

General MacAurthur was the General over the allied forces in the Pacific region.

He came to Australia and set up his base of operations here.

He changed the previous policy and defended the entire country.

He had the authority to do this.

He had many American soldiers, airmen and marines under his command.

He took control of the situation and exercised his authority.

The prime minister of Australia submitted to his will!

He was outranked by a superior officer.

Introduction

 

Two weeks ago we saw how God prepared the people for the conquest of Canaan.

We observed how /Consecration/ came before /Conquest/.

The Lord renewed Israel's spiritual life.

He did this through circumcision, the covenant seal, and the Passover, the covenant meal.

If Israel was to inherit the land they must be in a right relationship with God.

But The Lord still had one more important lesson for Israel to learn before the conquest.

This lesson was primarily for Joshua, but it did relate to Israel also.

* *

*Joshua 5:13a says this:*/    And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, /This indicates that Joshua had left the camp at Gilgal and was surveying the city of Jerciho.

Perhaps he was looking for a weakness in the defences of the city.

Jerciho was probably the most invincible city in Palestine.

As the commander of the Israelite army he felt responsible to devise a plan to conquer the city.

He believed he was responsible to lead Israel to victory at Jericho.

Joshua had been appointed as Moses' successor.

He was their leader and God had given Him this authority.

In fact God exalted Joshua before the people and they obeyed him.

He was the Captain of the Israelite army and issued commands to the people.

This is what prompted him to look at the enemy stronghold.

God had commissioned Him for this task.

It was at this time that the Captain of Lord 's army appeared to Joshua.

I have called this sermon, /The Captain Takes Charge./

Joshua learnt three things about his Heavenly Captain.

The first thing was *I.

His Preparedness*

 

*Joshua 5:13 says:*/And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?/

Illustration Of The Gulf War

 

The Gulf War introduced some highly sophisticated weapons that had never been proven under live battle conditions.

Most of the troops hadn't experienced war either.

Yet, troops and machinery combined in a display of military conquest unparalleled in history.

Thorough preparation proved to be an indispensable element in that overwhelming victory.

The Heavenly Captain Was Prepared For War

 

In the same way the Captain of the Lord's army was ready for battle.

He had His sword drawn ready to strike.

This soldier was ready for war and he showed his intentions.

Of course Joshua did not realise that He was the Captain of the Lord's army at this time.

So Joshua approached Him and asked whose side He was on.

This was understandable since Joshua needed to know whether he had to defend himself or not.

If this man was from Jericho then Joshua was prepared to fight him.

This soldier had certainly made his intentions known to Joshua.

The weapons He possessed were awesome.

He could use giant hailstones, earthquakes and even cause the sun to stand still.

This Captain had more power than any of today's generals, even with their nuclear arsenals.

Joshua wasn't aware that this Captain had come to fight against Jericho.

This Captain was ready to destroy the city.

His drawn sword shows us that.

*/A similar thing happened in 1 Chronicles 21:16, where the angel of the Lord was going to destroy Jerusalem because of David's sin./*

Joshua didn't know how to capture the city of Jericho, but the Captain of the Lord's army knew how.

In fact He had come to help Joshua who was struggling with that very matter.

God had promised to drive out the inhabitants of the land.

He didn't expect Israel to conquer Jericho or Canaan on their own.

The responsibility for this wasn't Joshua's, but God's.

The Lord was willing and prepared to fight for Israel.

*Joshua needed to look to his Heavenly Captain and seek His help.*

He was */Prepared/* to fight for them.

Application

 

The same is true today.

God does not expect us to overcome Satan and his temptations on our own.

He wants us to look to Him.

He is */prepared/* to fight for us.

*2 Corinthians 10:3-4 says:* /For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, /and in *Ephesians 6:10-11 we read: */Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

/ The Lord will strengthen us for battle and provide the weapons we need.

The Lord wants us to seek His help.*

Hebrews 4:15-16 says: */For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

// Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

/He will provide assistance and protection to those who ask for it.

He has won the victory over Satan.

He can enable us to stand victoriously against Satan's temptations.

But we must ask Him for help.

We must take up the armour of God.

We must strengthen ourselves in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Since He is */prepared/* for the battle, good soldiers of Jesus Christ seek His help.

Joshua's Second Lesson was* **II.

His Pre-eminence** *

 

The Captain now gave His answer to Joshua.*

Joshua 14a says this:*/ And he said, Nay; but as Captain of the host of the LORD am I now come.

/The response of this soldier was amazing.

He was no mortal soldier, but the Lord Himself from heaven.

In fact this was the Lord Jesus Christ appearing in human form.

This is like his appearance to Abraham in Genesis 18.

His reply reveals much about Himself and His position of authority.

*/Firstly/* */His position.

/*/He was in charge of the Lord's army./

This certainly refers to the elect angels, the heavenly host.

They were all under His command and awaited His orders.