Sunday School Lessons

MAY 22, 2016

 

THE BATTLE OF JERICHO

INTRODUCTION:

 

1.  Joshua’s true greatness as a leader was due to his faithfulness to the Word of the Lord. The solemn charge, given unto him upon the death of his revered predecessor, he had taken to heart, so that every revealed word was carried out exactly as he received it from the Lord. His careful obedience included all things to do with the crossing of Jordan, before, during, and after, and also the matters of religious ordinances which they as God’s covenant people must be careful to keep, especially now, since they were partaking of the covenant promise.

2.  Joshua’s faithfulness had been rewarded in that he was magnified in the eyes of the people over whom God had made him captain. They now feared (reverenced) him as they had feared (reverenced) Moses. (Ch. 4:14) They saw how God was with Joshua as He had been with Moses. (Ch. 3:9) At the command of Joshua, God did great wonders before the children of Israel. Thus, because of Joshua’s faithful obedience, God had confirmed His servant.

3.  There was, however, a still greater confirmation for the Lord’s servant when the Lord Himself appeared to Joshua as a man of war, and announced “As Captain of the host of the Lord am I now come.” This man with his sword drawn was none other than the Angel of the covenant of the Lord, Christ preincarnate, the true Captain of our salvation (Heb. 2:10), of whom Joshua was a type.

4.  Joshua will now learn from the Captain Himself how the battle of Jericho will be fought and won, for it is He Who here speaks in Verse 2. “And the Lord (Jehovah) said to Joshua…” Clearly, this mighty warrior is none other than Jehovah.

 

I.  CONSIDER FIRST HOW THE CITY OF JERICHO RESPONDED TO THE PRESENCE OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. (VERSE 1)

A.  THE CITY WAS COMPLETELY SHUT UP. “JERICHO WAS STRAITLY SHUT UP.”

1.  Literally, “Jericho did shut up and was shut up.” They shut the gates, barred them, and kept them barred, so that none were allowed to come in who were without, and none were allowed (even had they wanted) to go out who were within.

2.  This pictures the attitude of the world toward the church.

a)  It does not seek terms of peace, but maintains a wall of defiance vowing never to surrender.

b)  Knowledge of God’s power and judgement only drives them to seek refuge within the doomed city.

c)  Their only options seem to be either sudden death or prolonged death.

d)  As long as sinners think they can somehow postpone the day of reckoning they opt to shut themselves up to their life of sin.

e)  Happily there is, however, another option, as Rahab and her house discovered. We can be sure that had others sought favor as she did, they too would have obtained mercy.

B.  THE CONDITION OF JERICHO ACCOUNTS FOR WHY THE LORD APPEARED TO JOSHUA AS HE DID.

1.  Joshua had in faith assured the people that God had given them this land. Jericho was the first conquest, but how this initial victory would be won, only the Lord knew.

2.  Joshua knew that their success would be by divine power, and now he is about to learn the divine method.

3.  In the Gospel cause we come up against many a walled city which divine power alone can conquer.

a)  The unregenerate hearts of sinners are like walled cities, barred and shut up against us and the Gospel. Only by the divine power and method can these hearts be penetrated. (I Cor. 1:21)

b)  The enemy with which we have to do cannot be overcome in our human strength. (Eph. 6:10-12)

II.  CONSIDER NEXT THE DIVINE PLAN FOR GAINING VICTORY OVER THIS JERICHO, AS REVEALED BY THE DIVINE CAPTAIN HIMSELF. (VERSES 2-5)

A.  THAT HIS PLAN WOULD NOT FAIL IS SEEN IN THAT HE DECLARED THE VICTORY OVER JERICHO ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED. (VERSE 2) “SEE, I HAVE GIVEN INTO THINE HAND            JERICHO,…”

1.  Joshua had not been mistaken, truly this Person was divine. Only God can declare the end form the beginning. The plan which He was about to reveal would appear foolish to men, but it could not fail, because it was God’s plan, and God cannot fail.

2.  Joshua was invited to see the victorious outcome by faith, even before he was informed of the plan. This seeing could only be through the eye of faith. The natural eye could only see the walls of a city, but faith can see things not seen to the natural eye. (Heb. 11:1)

3.  How wonderfully we are enabled through the promise of God’s Word to see things that are hidden from natural men, and by faith to even have them in hand as substance of things hoped for.

4.  This whole passage typically speaks of a great day coming when there will be a great trumpet blast and a victorious shout, and the powers of darkness will be destroyed forever.

B.  JUST AS THE VICTORY OVER JERICHO WAS BEFORE DETERMINED BY GOD; SO ALSO WERE THE NECESSARY MEANS TO THAT END, WHICH ARE HERE REVEALED TO JOSHUA. (VS. 3-5)

1.  That God knows the end from the beginning does not negate the need for the use of those means which He has also prescribed. Gospel means, and the use that we are to make of them in defeating our foes and saving the elect are here dramatically portrayed.

2.  The city of Jericho was to be brought under siege, but strangely, the instructions call for no military actions or maneuvers.  The procedure would involve all of the people, even such as would ordinarily been exempt from warfare, such as priests, women, and children. This was meant to show that the spiritual warfare includes the whole church. All believers do not have the same duties, but none are exempt, for all have their proper place and gifts.

3.  The place of preeminence given to the Ark of the Covenant and the priests who carried it is meant to emphasize that “it is not by power, nor by might, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.”

4.  The prominence given to the number seven in these directions speaks of completeness, and teaches how thoroughly God blesses obedience, even when His instructions make no sense to the natural man.

5.  They were to compass the city once each day for six days, and seven times on the seventh day. The priests were to blow continuously on their rams’ horns as they were compassing the city. There was to be no shouting until the seventh day, and that by signal, because it was to be a great shout of victory in which all were to take part.

a)  The people were to learn patient obedience in waiting upon the Lord. (Psalm 27:14; Isa. 40:31) They must not grow weary in well doing.

b)  The priests were blowing their rams’ horn trumpets. These were not the usual trumpets of war, but rather those that were used to sound the Jubilee. This pictures how it is that persistent preaching of the Gospel that shall bring down the strongholds of the enemy. (Isa. 61:1, 2; Luke 4:18; II Cor. 10:5)

6.  Foolish as the divine method appeared to the people of Jericho and perhaps to many Israelites also, it pictures how it is by the foolishness of preaching that God’s Kingdom is advanced in this world. (Mic. 4:1-3; I Cor. 1:18-21) Not only that, but the instruments God uses are base, despised things in the eyes of the world. (I Cor. 1:26-29; II Cor. 4:7)

7.  Sadly, many churches and Christian organizations have come to share the world’s opinion of God’s methods, and have adopted what they believe to be more appealing and less objectionable. The result is apostate churches with unregenerate worldly members.

8.  Let us be faithful to the divine method of preaching, and never be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. (Rom. 1:15, 16)

III.  CONSIDERING LASTLY JOSHUA’S FAITHFULNESS IN CARRYING OUT THE DIVINE PLAN AGAINST JERICHO. (VERSES 6-16) Although the inhabitants of Jericho may have thought the behavior of the Israelites to be foolish, we may be certain they found it to be most unsettling, and the suspense must have   been terrifying.

A.  JOSHUA, IT APPEARS, PUT THE PLAN IN MOTION EAGERLY AND PROMPTLY. (VRS. 6, 7, 12)

1.  He did not question the method, but was most punctual in setting everything in motion.

2.  Much to their credit, it appears that none of them, neither the priests nor the people were questioning, but were very forward in their obedience to the instructions.

B.  THE ORDER OF THE M ARCH WAS PURPOSEFULLY DESIGNED TO FIT THE DIVINE PLAN. (VERSES 7-11)

1.  The fighting men led the way before the Ark, while seven priests sounded the presence of God with their horns. (Deut. 20:2-4) This was to assure them that they were remembered before the Lord their God in the day of battle. (Num. 10:9)

a)  Not all are called to the front lines, as it were, but all are to be engaged.

b)  May we ever hold up our comrades in prayer, that they may not faint in the battle, and that they might know the presence and power of God is with them.

2.  The people were to keep silent, while the sound of the trumpets representing the Word and voice of God were heard. (Verse 10; Zech. 2:13; Ex. 14:14)

C.  IN THIS INITIAL BATTLE THEY WERE GIVEN TO LEARN WHAT WOULD BE KEY TO THEIR SUCCESS BOTH PRESENT AND FUTURE. (VERSES 11-16)

1.  They must be obedient to the Word of the Lord, one and all. This would include Joshua, the priests, the troops, and all of the people.

2.  They must in obedient faith wait patiently on the Lord.

a)  This was the lesson of Gilgal.

b)  Now in their first battle, six days passed, and nothing was to show for it, but they must wait. (Vrs. 11-14)

3.  At last, on the seventh and climactic day, after the special procedure for that day was faithfully carried out, they all, everyone included, got to participate in the victorious shout, and the walls of Jericho did fall down flat. (Verses 5, 16)

 

MAY 8, 2016

 

FIRST THINGS FIRST – REINSTATING SACRED ORDINANCES

INTRODUCTION:

 

1.  The children of Israel passed over Jordan into the land of promise with about forty thousand troops prepared for war leading the way. They passed over before the Lord unto battle. (Ch. 4:13) Surely, the plan would be to move swiftly, and set the battle in array. Conventional wisdom would certainly suggest that the time was right.

a)  Israel’s troops were pumped and ready; their confidence and courage were now at an all-time high, and that, for obvious reasons.

b)  Their enemies, on the other hand, were, for the same obvious reasons totally frightened and dispirited, making them easy prey. (Verse 1)

2.  Human wisdom would say, “Strike while the iron is hot,” but divine wisdom had other priorities. God’s ways might appear foolish in the eyes of men, but they are higher, and always wiser, even though to natural men they are past finding      out. (Isa. 55:8) We are always wise to make God’s priorities our own. Before Israel’s troops could engage in battle they must be battle ready. Even though God had assured them that He would give them victory, they were not yet ready, that        is, they were not spiritually ready.

a)  Other important matters had to be put on hold, first of all, until a memorial be erected to perpetuate God’s honor and glory. (Ch. 4:19-24)

b)  Then secondly, important religious observances had been discontinued during their forty years in the wilderness. These must now be reinstated before they could expect God’s blessing in going forward to possess the land.

I.  THE RITE OF CIRCUMCISION MUST NOW BE RESTORED. (VERSES 2-9) Circumcision was the seal of the covenant made with Abraham by which his natural seed were distinguished from all other nations and peoples of the earth. (Gen. 17:11) It was the sign of the promissory part of the covenant which secured to Abraham’s seed the Promised Land. (Gen. 17:8) This explains why it must now be reinstated before the conquest officially begins.

A.  THE ORDINANCE HAD NOT BEEN KEPT SINCE GOD REVOKED THE COVENANT AT KADESH-BARNEA. (NUM. 14:32-34)

1.  When Israel, after repeated provocations, did at length consummate their rebellion by despising the Promised Land in their refusal to advance beyond Kadesh-Barnea, God swore that they should not enter in, and condemned that                 generation of Israelites to perish in the wilderness.

2.  God said to them, “Ye shall know my breach of promise,” that is, “Ye shall know my REVOKING,” by which He meant the revoking of the covenant promise made to Abraham.

3.  This means that for those many years in the wilderness, when Israel was in a state of apostasy, their children were denied the sign of the covenant.

4.  This is not to say that every token of God’s mercy was withdrawn from them. They had Moses; they had daily provision of manna; they had the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire; they had the tabernacle; they had that Rock   which followed them, even Christ. (I Cor. 10:4) These were all just so many intimations that God would yet restore covenant favor to their children.

5.  The passage of Jordon, which God gave by a mighty miracle, was clear proof that God’s favor was once more restored, and that Jehovah had resumed His covenant relationship with the new generation.

6.  Clearly, the reason that the rite of circumcision was to be restored at this time is because the promise of which it was instituted as a seal was performed.

a)  As they emerged from the river of death, judgment was now behind them, the sentence pronounced on their fathers had been completed.

b)  They were now fit subjects to receive the sign of the covenant in their flesh.

c)  Circumcision was also a prerequisite to observance of the Passover feast, which must also now be reinstated. (Ex. 12:48, 49)

B.  THIS REINSTATEMENT OF THIS RITE AT THIS TIME NOT ACCORDING TO MAN’S WISDOM, BUT GOD’S.“At that time, the Lord said…”

1.  Had Joshua consulted flesh and blood about this matter he would most assuredly have been advised not to do this at this time.

a)  To render all of the fighting men unable to fight at the very time when they are needed is, to the natural mind, foolishness.

b)  To essentially forfeit all of the aforementioned advantages that they had been given over their enemies, only to make themselves virtually “sitting ducks” before them, makes no sense according to human reason.

2.  Joshua, however, did not consult with flesh and blood, but acted according to God’s instructions, which to the spiritually minded, is true wisdom.

a)  In God’s economy, obedience is always preferred before expedience. The reason that circumcision was suspended was now past, therefore it must be made a first priority.

b)  They must learn that with God, spiritual readiness is first and foremost, since with His cause it is not by power nor by might, but by His Spirit that victories are won.

c)  We must learn that with the church neither safety nor success are dependent upon our strategy, timing, strength, intellect, or anything else which men put their trust in. Only God can give us these things. (Eccl. 9:11)

d)  God would teach them and us that neither the camp of Israel nor the church is governed according to human wisdom.

C.  IT IS SIGNIFICANT THAT THIS IS CALLED THE SECOND CIRCUMCISION. (VERSE 2b)

1.  The reason why it is called the second circumcision is explained. (Verses 4-7)

a)  None were circumcised a second time.

b)  Their fathers had been circumcised, but they had not, thus this is the second time.

2.  What is the significance of this?

a)  It is typical of the spiritual circumcision by which the true Israel of God are circumcised when we enter into the Gospel rest. (Col. 2:10, 11; Rom. 2:29; Phil. 3:3)

b)  This heart circumcision is what God ever required of His people. (Jer. 4:4, 14) Heart circumcision speaks of regeneration, by which the old heart and its love of sin is removed, and a new heart is given in its place. (Ezek. 36:26, 27)

D.  BY THIS SECOND CIRCUMCISION, THE REPROACH OF EGYPT WAS ROLLED AWAY. (VERSE 9)

1.  They were hereby declared God’s free people, having the seal of the covenant in their flesh.

2.  Their arrival into the Land of Promise rolled away the reproach of the Egyptians. When God brings all of His redeemed people into the heavenly Canaan every taunting, mocking tongue will be stopped forever.

3.  This was done prior to their keeping of the Passover. This too is significant.

a)  None were eligible to take part in the feast who had not first been circumcised.

b)  None have any part in Christ’s atonement except those who come to regeneration, putting off the old man, which is corrupt, and putting on the new man. (Eph. 4:22-24)

c)  None are eligible to take the Lord’s Supper who are not regenerate, i.e. who have not received heart  circumcision.

II.  THE PASSOVER MUST NOW BE KEPT. (VERSES 10-15)

A.  THE SOLEMN FEAST WAS KEPT AS APPOINTED, AND AT THE TIME APPOINTED. (VERSES 10; EX. 12:1-6)

1.  Providence had brought them into the land at the exact time appointed.

2.  God’s goodness had removed all hindrances and prohibitions. The sentence of judgment was completed; the covenant promise had been renewed; the rite of circumcision had been reinstated.

3.  The Passover was kept as a remembrance and a commemoration. (Ex. 12:14, 26, 27, 42)

4.  The Passover was also kept in anticipation. (I Cor. 5:7; Col. 1:12-14)

B.  THEY KEPT THE PASSOVER IN THE PLAINS OF JERICHO.

1.  In defiance of the Canaanites round about them, yet they enjoyed God’s special protection. (Ex. 34:24)

2.  The Lord prepared a table before them in the presence of their enemies. (Psa. 23:5)

3.  God grants special protection for His children as they walk in obedience to Him.

C.  PROVISION WAS MADE FOR THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD. (VERSES 11, 12)

1.  After the Passover they were to keep the feast of unleavened bread seven days (Ex. 12:18-20) which they could not do when they had nothing but manna.

2.  The feast of unleavened bread presented the immediate need for the old corn, but the provision would accommodate them for a whole year.

3.  These gracious provisions God had promised to them long beforehand. (Deut. 6:10, 11)

a)  Nothing needful would they lack, for God saw to it. So it is with us, nothing is left to chance. (Phil. 4:19)

b)  Proverbs 13:22 says, “The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.” The grain was probably in granaries that the people abandoned as they took refuge in the walled cities.

III.  THE CAPTAIN OF THE LORD’S HOSTS NOW APPEARS TO JOSHUA. (VERSES 13-15)

A.  HERE GOD MANIFESTS HIMSELF TO JOSHUA.

1.  As the Lord manifested Himself and spoke to Moses in the burning bush, He here manifests Himself to Joshua, and speaks to Him as a man of war.

2.  Neither Moses nor Joshua knew who or what they were seeing until the Lord revealed Himself.

3.  In both cases they were commanded to remove the shoes from off their feet for they were in the presence of  deity.

4.  It was none other than Jesus Christ Who spoke from the bush to Moses, and so it is the preincarnate Christ Who here stands before Joshua.

B.  HOW OVERWHELMED AND ALSO OVERJOYED JOSHUA MUST HAVE BEEN WITH THE LORD’S  ANSWER TO HIS ENQUIRY. (VERSES 13, 14)

1.  Joshua was struck with awe when this Mighty One spoke. He fell down before Him in worship.

2.  Joshua was not at all envious or jealous to have his title assumed by this magnificent and divine Person. He offered no protest or argument, only complete submission and gratitude.

3.  Perhaps Joshua was just then surveying the situation, asking how are we to go about taking Jericho, when there appeared One Who had all of the answers.

4.  Let us gladly worship and bow down before our great Captain, and be ever grateful that He is not against us, He is not our adversary, but He is for us; He is our conquering Captain, Who leads us on to victory.

 

MAY 1, 2016

 

JOSHUA MAGNIFIED BEFORE THE PEOPLE

INTRODUCTION:

 

1.  The divine historian, in recording the incredible event of Israel’s crossing over Jordan, seems to have been reluctant to leave the subject. As he repeats the story, it is as if he was being careful not to leave out even the slightest detail of something so monumental that the Lord would have it memorialized for future generations, so that upon inquiry, they could learn exactly what He had done in bringing His people into the land. As the writer again recaps the story in our present passage we do notice the addition of certain details, and also the added emphasis that he gives to certain other           parts of it.

2.  In our present passage the writer seems to give particular emphasis to Joshua’s diligence as he took command of the operation, and carefully and meticulously directed the people in accordance with the divine plan. This fact is key to understanding why the Holy Spirit moved the sacred writer to again repeat much of what he had before recorded concerning this glorious event. God had said to Joshua in Chapter 3:7, “….This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel…”  Now we read of the fulfillment of that promise, “On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses…..” (Ch. 4:14)

I.  HERE WE HAVE JOSHUA IN COMMAND. (VERSES 10-13)

A.  IT IS PARTICULARLY NOTED THAT JOSHUA ORDERED THE WHOLE OPERATION IN EXACT ACCORDANCE WITH THE DIVINE INSTRUCTIONS. (VERSE 10)

1.  The priests who carried the Ark stood with their feet firmly planted in the midst of Jordan until every last detail of the Word of the Lord was accomplished. The divine presence that prepares our way requires promptitude, but not haste to the point of neglecting holy precepts.

2.  Notice, the Lord’s Word included “all that Moses commanded Joshua.” Since we read of no specific orders given by Moses regarding this matter, this must have reference to the Law of Moses in general. (Ch. 1:8)

3.  The true greatness of Joshua, as also of Moses, was his faithfulness to the Word of the Lord. His magnification in the eyes of the people was directly related to his unwavering obedience as the Lord’s faithful minister.

B.  THERE WAS S SENSE OF URGENCY CONVEYED IN JOSHUA’S COMMAND TO THE PEOPLE. “THE PEOPLE HASTED AND PASSED OVER.” (VERSE 10c)

1.  This sense of urgency was not due to any fear that God’s power was limited in any way. (Isa. 28:16)

2.  Whether the people were ordered to make haste, or did it on their own, it is always wise not to delay in obeying God. Let us never hesitate, but rather be swift. Confidence in God’s sovereign power should never be a sedative, but just the opposite; it ought to be a stimulant.

3.  We hope their making haste reflected an eagerness to leave the wilderness. Why would they linger in the place of death? (Gen. 19:15. 22) We also trust that this reflected a strong desire for the land of Canaan, and their new life.

4.  May there be such an eagerness with us; to leave the life of sin, to follow our Captain and be a part of His church, the fellowship of His people.

C.  JOSHUA GAVE COMMANDMENT TO THE PEOPLE AS TO THE ORDER OF THEIR MARCH. (VERSES 11-13)

1.  The fighting forces led the way, ready for battle. This included troops from the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh. This was according to what they had previously agreed to do. (Num. 32:1-7; 16-23; Josh. 1:12-16) In all, there were about forty thousand prepared for war. They all passed over before the Lord unto battle, to the plains of Jericho. (Verses 12, 13)

a)  Notice, they passed over before the Lord. They went past the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant, and went on before. But, they went before the Lord also in the sense that they went before His face, and according to His orders.

b)  They went bravely unto battle, even to the plains of Jericho. So far as they knew, they were to soon engage the enemy.

2.  All of the people followed after. They marched in order according to tribe, until all were clean passed over. (Verse 11a)

3.  Finally, the priests bearing the Ark passed over. (Verse 11b)

4.  Though they made haste, the march was not chaotic, but orderly. All things were done decently and in order, because they all obeyed the commands of their Captain. (I Cor. 14:40) It is when every man does that which is right in his own eyes that holy order is sacrificed.

II.  HERE WE HAVE JOSHUA MAGNIFIED IN THE EYES OF ALL ISRAEL. (VERSES 14-18)

A.  THIS MAGNIFICATION OF JOSHUA WOULD EXALT HIM TO THE STATURE AND EMINENCE OF MOSES IN THE VIEW OF THE PEOPLE. (VERSE 14)

1.  God had promised that by this display on this day the people would recognize that He was with Joshua in the same way as He was with Moses. (Ch. 3:7)

2.  Now, through this exercise of authority and leadership God has caused Joshua to be revered by the people as Moses had been. “And they feared him, as they feared Moses.”

3.  This elevation would be permanent. “…all the days of his life.”

B.  JOSHUA’S COMMAND OF THE PRIESTS SEEMS TO BE CONNECTED TO HIS BEING  MAGNIFIED BEFORE THE PEOPLE. (VERSES 15-18)

1.  Compare Verses 14, 15 with Ch. 3:7, 8.

2.  That which represented God’s presence was moved according to Joshua’s command of the priests who bore it.

a)  God is pleased to be moved according to the word spoken by His ordained servants, by His Word which He puts in their mouth.

b)  What an amazing truth this is. By it, God demonstrated conclusively that Joshua was His anointed leader.

3.  The priests willingly obeyed Joshua’s orders.

a)  They did not act according to their own reasoning, which would have suggested that once all the people were clean passed over, they were free to go. Instead they stood firm until Joshua said to them, “Come up out of Jordan.”

b)  We too are a royal priesthood (I Pet. 2:9), we are made kings and priests unto God (Rev. 1:6), yet we must do as our Great Joshua commands us, and move as He tells us.

4.  The people observed that just as the waters of Jordan were held back according to the command of Joshua, so also they were turned loose even as he gave the order to the priests to come up out of the midst of Jordan.  (Verse 18)

a)  It was all by God’s power, but according to the command of Joshua.

b)  Thus, all mediatorial power is given to Jesus Christ, and we are under His authority as His church.

III.  THE EXACT DATE THAT MARKED THIS GLORIOUS MIRACLE WAS RECORDED AND DULY  MEMORIALIZED. (VERSES 19-24)

A.  THE EXACT DAY AND MONTH IS CAREFULLY NOTED. (VERSES 19)

1.  It was forty years after they came out of Egypt, as the Lord had before spoken. (Num. 14:32ff)

2.  To be exact, they came into the land four days before the annual observance of Passover, thus they arrived on the very day on which preparation for the solemn feast was to begin. (Exod.12:3)

3.  Was this by happenstance? The Lord would have their entrance sanctified by observing the Passover, a feast that had been neglected for forty years.

B.  THE MEMORIAL FOR WHICH THE STONES WERE GATHERED IN ADVANCE WILL NOW BE SET UP. (VERSES 20-24)

1.  The purpose for the monument is now repeated again. (Verses 21-24)

2.  These twelve stones will be made into a monument which will correspond to that which was now beneath the waters of Jordan in the midst of the river.

3.  As these stones were for a memorial, so also we have our sacred memorials. We have observed in a previous lesson how that these two corresponding memorials, when taken together, can be seen as representing the church’s ordinances of baptism, as one speaks of our burial with Christ, and the other speaks of our resurrection with Christ. However, taken separately, they may be seen as representing the two ordinances of the church.

a)  Those stones buried beneath the waters represent the ordinance of baptism.

b)  These visible stones represent the second ordinance of the church which is the Lord’s Supper.

c)  We take the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of what is pictured in baptism.

d)  Clearly, there is a proper order for their observance.

4.  As these ordinances remind us of what the Lord has done for us, let us then take this knowledge to all the world. (Verse 24; Matt. 28:18-20)

 

 

APRIL 24, 2016

 

A SACRED MEMORIAL

INTRODUCTION:

1.  Once the people had gathered themselves to the swollen banks of the River Jordan, only then did Joshua reveal to them the Lord’s amazing plan for getting them across to the other side. (Ch. 3:9-13) As for exactly when the Lord revealed His plan to Joshua himself, we are not told. He did know that by this event the Lord would begin to magnify him, essentially elevating him to the place of honor that Moses had in the eyes of the people. (Ch. 3:7)

2.  We see in the word which the Lord gave to Joshua for the people, their assurance that God was with them, and would drive out the heathen from before them, was the fact that the Ark went before them. (Ch. 3:10-11) He then described the mighty miracle that would take place the very instant that the feet of the priests bearing the Ark should touch the water, thus allowing all the people to safely pass over. (Ch. 3:13)

3.  Notice, mixed in with those words of assurance and encouragement is a word of instruction that seems somewhat out of place. In Verse 12 he to them to choose out twelve men, but did not give a reason why. Although the verse begins with “Now therefore,” we were left, at that point, to wonder what the purpose was for choosing them.

4.  The Holy Spirit gave us in the closing verses of Chapter 3 the record of that mighty act of God by which He delivered His people, and it happened exactly as Joshua had before predicted. So now, after the people are all safely passed over we are going to learn why those twelve men had been previously selected. Care had to be taken to perpetuate for future generations the memory of the supernatural act of God that affected the deliverance of His people. Thus, prior arrangements were made for the erecting of a sacred memorial to that end.

 

I.  THE MEMORIAL WOULD BE CONSTRUCTED ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF THE LORD. (VERSES 1-7)

A.  IT WAS IMPERATIVE THAT THIS GREAT MIRACLE SO WONDROUSLY AND GRACIOUSLY PERFORMED BY THEIR COVENANT GOD BE MEMORIALIZED.

1.  It was not left up to the people, or even Joshua, to suggest or see to this matter. We might expect that Joshua would have wished to do this without being specifically instructed, but would he have thought of it as being a priority at this time?

a)  What we might wish to do may not, due to circumstances, be the wise thing to do at a given time. Joshua, and others too, had to think about the march, the enemy, the camp, getting families settles, etc.

b)  The Lord took the decision out of their hands. Everything was being done in haste (Verse 10), but they were not to become so preoccupied with these urgent matters as to neglect setting up a memorial to God’s glory.

c)  Honoring God must always be our first priority. This we must remember, especially when obedience does not seem expedient or practical. The Lord will again emphasize this point in the days just ahead. (Chapter 5)

2.  It was not taken for granted that all of the beneficiaries of this great miracle were as moved as they should have been. Too many times professing Christians fail to reflect a grateful heart.

3.  Perhaps some of the people were so affected by what God had done that they would have thought no memorial to be necessary. But God, knowing the human frame, ordered this expedient for their remembrance.

4.  This memorial was necessary for sake of future generations. It would stimulate inquiry, and the rehearsal would be beneficial for teachers and students alike.

a)  It is terribly sad when the great truths about our own nation’s birth and development are lost; when its children do not even care to inquire; when they grow up either not having been taught, or worse, having been taught a distorted version of our history.

b)  Far, far worse, however, is when the great truths of the Christian faith are being lost for the same reasons. The victims are not merely being cheated out of learning about their proud heritage; they are being deprived of the soul saving Gospel, and of knowing the way of eternal life.

B.  ONCE ALL OF THE PEOPLE HAD PASSED OVER, JOSHUA RECEIVED FROM THE LORD HIS ORDERS FOR THE ERECTING OF THIS MEMORIAL. (VERSES 1-7)

1.  Exactly how the Lord conveyed these instructions to Joshua we are not told. It may be that the Lord came to him as he was praying; or perhaps He sent word by Eleazar the priest, who was appointed to ask counsel for Joshua. (Num. 27:18-21) Whether the word came to him directly or through a mediator, the orders were as follows.

2.  The twelve men previously selected (Ch. 3:12) were now to be employed to take each of them a stone from the midst of the river, and carry it to the place where they were to lodge on the other side. (Verse 2-4)

a)  All twelve tribes, including those who would have their inheritance on the east side of Jordan, were to participate. (Num. 32:1-7; 16-23)

b)  Each of the twelve men was to take up a large stone, shoulder it, and carry it over to the camp.

3.  These men, after they had passed over before the Ark of the Lord to the other side, were sent back to where the feet of the priests stood firm, and from there they were to take up their stones. The stones were not to be gotten conveniently, but rather from the place where the priests stood; for it was there that the presence of God had held back the waters of Jordan. (Verse 5)

4.  The stones were to be formed into a commemorative monument, and a memorial. (Verses 6, 7)

a)  The monument would serve to remind the people of what the Lord had done.

b)  It would give occasion for future generations to ask their parents, “How came these stones hither?”

c)  Significant events in the lives of the covenant people were memorialized so as not to be forgotten, and so that future generations would know the goodness of God to His people.

d)  The church too has its sacred memorials.

(1)  The Lord’s Supper was instituted for the purpose of remembering the Lord’s death till He come.

(2)  We commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ each Lord’s Day as we assemble together on the first day of the week.

(3)  Every baptism is itself a reminder of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

(4)  May our children be inspired to ask, “What meant these things?”

C.  ACCORDING TO THE DIVINE INSTRUCTION JOSHUA SAW THAT THE THING WAS DONE. (VERSE 8)

1.  Through their chosen representatives all of the people in all twelve tribes had a part. “And the children of  Israel did so.”

2.  In this we have an allusion to how our Lord Jesus Christ (our Joshua) came up out of the waters of Jordan at His baptism, having received the witness of the Father, to call twelve apostles according to the number of the tribes of Israel. Through them He would proclaim the knowledge of God to all by the Gospel.

 

II.  TWELVE OTHER STONES WERE SET UP TO FORM A CORRESPONDING MONUMENT IN THE MIDST OF THE JORDAN EXACTLY WHERE THE FEET OF THE PRIESTS STOOD. (VERSE 9)

A.  THESE TWO MEMORIALS BEAR WITNESS THAT FROM BEGINNING TO END, SALVATION IS OF THE LORD. (JONAH 3:9)

1.  The one marks their departure from the wilderness, while the other marks their entrance into the Land of Promise.

2.  With us who are saved, He which hath begun a good work in us, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Phil. 1:6)

3.  He Who has delivered us from the wilderness of sin shall also bring us safely to our heavenly Canaan.

B.  THE VISIBLE MEMORIAL AT GILGAL CORRESPONDS WITH THE INVISIBLE MEMORIAL BENEATH THE WATERS OF THE JORDAN.

1.  Future generations would be able to see the stones at Gilgal; however they would have to be told about those that were buried in the Jordan.

2.  When God saves a sinner there is an unseen work within the soul to which the outward life should correspond.

3.  Our outward testimony and witness ought to cause inquiry as to the hope that lies in us.

4.  Our children shall hopefully see the outward evidence of our Christian faith, but we must tell them about the inward work.

C.  IN THESE TWO MEMORIALS WE HAVE A PICTURE OF BELIEVER’S BAPTISM.

1.  Since baptism is itself a picture, we then have a picture of a picture.

2.  In baptism we confess that we have died to the old life of sin, thus the stones buried in the river picture the believer as he is buried in the waters of baptism. As the believer is then brought up out of that watery grave he confesses his spiritual resurrection to walk in newness of life, thus the stones at Gilgal were a memorial to their new life in a new land.

3.  When their children would ask what the memorial meant, they heard not about anything that the stones had done, but rather, that they were there as a reminder of what God had done. When we are asked about the meaning of baptism we attribute no power to the ordinance, but rather, to what it pictures, namely, our union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. (I Cor. 15:3, 4; Rom. 6:3-6) The same is true respecting the Lord’s Supper. We attribute no efficacy to the remembrance, only to what is being remembered in it, that is, the death of Christ, which alone can atone for sin.