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Joshua Ch. 8.
Vs. 1-2. Fear Not. Arise - Now go Up!
Here with Israel is the wonderful principal of Matthew 6:33 (KJV)  33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Jericho was to be The Lord's Possession, no spoil for the people. They stole (see 7:11.) from the Lord and reaped misery. They now have put the Lord first and in Vs. 2 the promise is given that "all the spoil" is theirs. They should not fear but arise because The Lord had given Ai to them. The Lord gives the victory! What fullness is ours as we seek first His Kingdom and righteousness.
Rise Up for War! Vs. 3.
What a warfare is involved in spiritual progress. Abigail said of David that he "fought the battles of the Lord" [1 Samuel 25:28.] Paul said: 2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV) 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: The external wars that are in the world today are just indicative of the war and devastation that is taking place in the lives of people everywhere with anguish cries of wounded hearts and minds because of surrender to "this present evil World" of self destruct!
Readiness and Valour [Vs. 3-4]
Peter "warmed himself" by the fire when the fiercest battle against the demons of this World was taking place against Jesus in the "judgement hall". Are we ready and "valiant for the truth upon the Earth" [Jeremiah 9:3.] or are we warming ourselves by some worldly fire that is all about comforting the flesh which "profits nothing"! At the very beginning of this amazing campaign for the promised land of blessing, the command was "be very courageous" [1:7.] You must not forfeit such rich eternal blessing for some "warm fuzzy feeling". "Arm yourselves" - "Be ready" and Valiant!
Approach [Vs.5.]
David ran toward Goliath! such a bold approach is because of David's "approach" experience with the Lord. No throne experience of grace means very little Earth "footstool" experience of Grace. Refer Acts 7:49. Psalm 65:4. Israel sought the Lord and the result is as Amos said, Amos 5:9 (KJV) 9 That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress. Be on your knees for victory on your feet. Like Jacob, Power with God means power on Earth.
Seize! ~ Lay Hold! Vs. 7.
Joshua gives a very strong instruction - SEIZE! The Lord help us according to Obadiah's words, Obadiah 1:17 (KJV) 17 But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. We possess the Holy Powerful Life of our wonderful Saviour and yet we can flounder in possessing LIFE and VICTORY; We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Heavenly places in Christ ~ "Lay hold on Eternal Life" [1 Timothy 6:12.]
Commissioned and Sent Forth. Vs. 8-9
What a great commission has been given us to bring such glorious news to a needy World. Joshua didn't mix his words, "see, I have commanded you" and Joshua sent them forth in the strength of that powerful Word just as Jesus gave the Word and then said - Go, and after his resurrection said - "even so send I You" [John 20:21.] Bakht Sing once said when asked what organisation he represented - "I serve the King of Kings, The Lord Jesus Christ."
Jesus with us - Goes before us. Vs. 9-10
"Joshua Lodged that night among the people" What a captain Israel had, this Captain bound to those he commanded and likewise as Jesus said  "And Lo I am with you even to the end of the World" [Matt. 28:20.] Joshua went up in the battle before the people as also Jesus does ~  "And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them," [John 10:4.] Jesus by his great love has bound himself to us inspite of everything forever. This Captain has a sword drawn in his hand!
The Enemy has no Power. Vs 20.
Paul said, Ephesians 4:27 (KJV) 27 Neither give place to the devil. There is no place for the devil, his world, his fierceness - his death. Jesus our captain of salvation has conquered it all! Never link up with anyone whose whole entity is DOOMED! Take little account of the kingdoms of this world, the strength of them is the weakness of man's corrupt flesh! John's expression is beautiful, 1 John 2:16-17 (KJV) 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. John is saying that "all that is in the world" is an empty "fiz-pop". The enemy's power is an empty "Fiz-pop" just as in the case with Joshua.
Joshua drew not his hand back. Vs. 26.
* You and I are on a floating pontoon that is swiftly being carried by a current from hell toward the falls of the bottomless pit and there is no time to be striking up the band! Christians in the Kingdom of God are a Golden Castle in the midst of the broken ruins of this wrecked world. Where is the time to be counting how many times we have won the meat raffle when Nations are blowing up Nations and our next door neighbour was murdered last night? Shake off the death sleep, get real with the Lord.
"No Form of Godliness" Just Real. Vs. 31.
* What was offered up to the Lord wasn't to be offered up on an alter produced by any work of man. Hebrews 10:10 (KJV) 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. We are "accepted in the beloved" [Eph. 1;6.] there can be a "form of godliness but denying the power thereof" [2 Timothy 3:5.] Does Jesus have power over us so that we are being changed, and speak and live, holding precious his Word, Joyfully surrendering all to Him?
Blessing and Warning Vs 33-34.
How can there not be fullness of blessing with the one who has given us "all things richly to enjoy" in the natural? is it going to be any different in the spiritual and eternal? Astounding blessings await those who look to Jesus, "The Lord is rich unto all that call upon Him". We can be sure that sin is a curse and the curse is DEATH to a whole host of rich golden blessings in Christ. There is great spiritual loss when we trifle with sin but Great Joy in knowing Jesus more as our way, our truth and our Life.
Jesus Loves You.
 The Lord Bless You real Good.
The Following are related verses in full.
2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Joshua 14:12 (KJV)
12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said.
Revelation 3:11 (KJV)
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
1 Timothy 6:12 (KJV)
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Ephesians 6:14 (KJV)
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
2 Corinthians 1:24 (KJV)
24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
Psalms 65:4 (KJV)
4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
Amos 5:9 (KJV)
9 That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress.
Obadiah 1:17 (KJV)
17 But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
2 Timothy 2:11 (KJV)
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
John 10:4 (KJV)
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
Ephesians 4:27 (KJV)
27 Neither give place to the devil.
1 John 2:16-17 (KJV)
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
2 Timothy 3:5 (KJV)
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Hebrews 10:10 (KJV)
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Jeremiah 5:25 (KJV)
25 Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. |
Joshua Ch. 8. *Great Spoil*