Back to the Basics

Joshua 8:30-35

Team Sports

This Story – Two Piles of Stones

Final event of a victory; the stoning of the king of Ai at the gate.

Then “Joshua built an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, in Mount Ebal.”

At the gate a defeated king, memorialized with pile of stones, symbolizing the futility of worshiping the false gods of the Cannanites.

At Mount Ebal, another pile of stones, symbolizing the blessings and protection that comes from worshiping the one true God, “the God of Israel.”

More than just a contrast between paganism and Judaism, but Joshua learned an important personal lesson;

Our personal relationship with God must be strong; i.e. contrasted in the defeat of Jericho, and the humiliation and traumatic defeat of Ai.

A quick reminder, it is very easy to forget quickly God’s promises and the conditions He attached to those promises.

Particularly in times of success and victory.

God was showing Joshua what comes with the mantle of leadership.

God was not responsible for the failure. He takes what humans can do, failure, weakness and sin, and use it for good.

Joshua faced fears after death of Moses: “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.”

God’s Condition for Success.

1.     Be careful to do according to all the law

2.     Do not turn from it to the right or left

3.     This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth.

4.     You shall meditate on it day and night.

5.     Be careful to do according to all that is written in it. (Josh. 1:6-8)

Clear connection:

Deut.27:4-7, Moses told them to build an altar to the Lord at Mount Ebal.

Joshua went back to the plan. “The basics.” He didn’t want to face another Ai, Achan situation.

Josh 8:30-31

30       Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal,

31       As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

Not only build the altar, but renew in the hearing of the people.

Memories tended to fade, particularly in times of no Bibles.

Josh 8:35

35       There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.

Josh 1:8

8          This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

What Happened.

(1)Stones for Writing; coated with lime.

(2)Altar for worship: reflect as much as possible God’s creative hand- not mans.

Altar where atonement was made for sin according to the law, and worship unto God with offerings of thanksgiving and praise.

What I create with my preaching; (1), what you create unto God for yourself.(2)

Communicating God’s Word.

“Half of them stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal.”

Gerzim to bless; Ebal to curse. (Deut. 27)

Israel was in the valley between the two mounts. Priest camped in the lower part, with the Ark. Echo effect through the valley.

More important than the method was the Message.

God’s regard the kind of morality and ethics He demanded from His people.

Nearly every significant relationship in life is represented in the twelve statements:

Deut 27:14-26

14       And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,

15       Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

16       Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

17       Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour’s landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.

18       Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.

19       Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.

20       Cursed be he that lieth with his father’s wife; because he uncovereth his father’s skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.

21       Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.

22       Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

23       Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.

24       Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.

25       Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.

26       Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

We can see from Deuteronomy to Joshua how it reveals the religious, moral and ethical deterioration that had taken place in that time.

God’s hand fell in judgment on the Canaanites by His people Israel.

If Israel was victorious against “flesh and blood,” it was imperative they be victorious over “rulers and powers of darkness, spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12)

Basic Principles

1. We must take time on a consistent basis to maintain and regain perspective on God’s will for our lives.

Review the teachings of Scripture. Don’t get too busy; even doing God’s work.

Maintain Our Relationship with God. Be consistent in our personal relationship with God in worship and communion.

Group, personal, prayer, worship. We need relationship with one another as well as with God.

Heb. 10:4-10 – forsaking not our own assembling together; rather we are to “stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” (v24-25)

2. God never promised that He will specifically reveal His will directly to us every time we need to make a decision.

 

God gives us the freedom to make decision within the context of His written Word.

God never promised to reveal His will directly to us every time we face a decision.

Rather, He gives us sufficient information, principles from Scripture to make our decisions.

He gives us the Holy Spirit to help us decide.

He gives us a shepherd to help us determine His will.

Four principles:

1.     Is there any statement in God’s written revelation(Bible) that is in opposition to this decision?

Christian marrying non-Christian

Divorce, just because of incompatibility.

2.     What does your pastor think about the decision?

Safety in a multitude of counselors.

Eph 4:16

16       From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

3.     What circumstances point to the fact that this may be a right or wrong decision?

We can not allow negative circumstances be the primary factor against a matter.

Negative factors do not always mean you are out of the will of God, it sometimes comes for development.

4.     How do I feel about the decision?

Feelings are important. But, they can be deceptive.  Anxiety, fear, etc.

What if Jesus in the Garden had gone of feelings alone.

His humanity would have walked away from the cross.

On the other hand, positive feelings may mean this is just something we want.

Evaluate it by the Word of God.

Closing:

Prov. 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.