Scripture
Joshua 7:1
But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.
Sermon Summary
Our lives are a continuation of warfare. On a grand scale, there are wars between nations, but on a smaller scale, each individual living in this world is also fighting their own battles.
Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
The Bible also tells us that our life is a warfare, urging us to put on the full armor of God and fight. Then, how can we win this war? Joshua shows us the formula for victory and defeat in warfare. In Joshua’s time, the city of Jericho, which the Canaanites had built so robustly, was the target of conquest. In front of this city of Jericho, the attitude of Joshua and the Israelites toward God shifts.
Joshua 5:2-3 At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.” So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth.
We must know the formula for victory to understand why we lose. “At that time” refers to the situation right before the battle. Is it an easy thing to perform circumcision right before a war, from a human perspective? Yet, the people listened to the voice of God and obeyed, which enabled them to win the war. Faith comes from hearing, and victory in warfare lies between the Word of God and our obedience.
Joshua 5:10 On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover.
The people obeyed not only the command for circumcision but also the command to celebrate the Passover. The Passover is a day to remember and commemorate how God made the plague of the firstborn pass over them when they escaped Egypt. The blood of the lamb sprinkled on the doorposts also foreshadows the grace of salvation through Jesus Christ. Seeing the people who kept the Passover after circumcision, God gives Joshua one final test.
Joshua 5:15 The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
In ancient times, taking off one’s sandals meant becoming a servant. By taking off his sandals, Joshua humbled himself and obeyed the Word of God with a reverent attitude.
Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.
As a result, the Israelites were able to bring down the walls of Jericho and win the war. To win the numerous spiritual battles coming our way today, we need a heart and an attitude that are humble and obedient before the Word.
Joshua 7:3 When they returned to Joshua, they said, “Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people are there.”
However, before the Battle of Ai, the arrogant hearts of the spies and Joshua begin to surface. They foolishly thought they had won the Battle of Jericho by their own strength, and they tried to win the Battle of Ai based on their own judgment. Because they failed to recognize that warfare belongs to God and lacked humility, the Battle of Ai resulted in defeat. God gives a clear warning regarding this kind of attitude.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 18:12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
Joshua 7:6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the Lord, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, and sprinkled dust on their heads.
After losing the Battle of Ai and realizing what went wrong, Joshua came before God and repented of his sins. When Joshua turned back and repented after making a mistake, God embraced him once again. Let us remember that the God who accepted Joshua’s repentance is my God. Let us always remember that the absolute, unchanging secret to victory in warfare is to humbly obey the Word of God.
Personal Reflection
Since the advent of postmodernism, our generation—living in an era rampant with individualism and respect for diversity—places immense value on personal thoughts and judgments. Though we claim to believe in God with our lips, we often set the results we desire beforehand and pray, demanding God to grant them. There are likely many Christians who do not even realize whether they are truly obeying God or not.
I, too, look back at myself these days. Was I humble? Did I obey? Did I repent right after committing a wrongdoing? No, before all that, was I even aware of the fact that I am fighting a spiritual war every single day? Let me remember that there is a war before me, and that I must move forward with humility and obedience.