1. God is a mighty Warrior – Josh.8-12; Ps.24:8 When facing Josh.8-12 we must not:- a. Avoid hard passages - in practise cut them out - in practise cut them out - see different Gods in the O.T. & N.T. - see different Gods in the O.T. & N.T. - blame Israel - blame Israel b. Copy Israel – this conquest is unique c. Domesticate God – as a mighty warrior he 1. Carries out his plans 1. Carries out his plans 2. Judges rebels who oppose his plans 2. Judges rebels who oppose his plans

2. 1. God is a Warrior a. It is God’s fight 1. He gives victory – 8:1; 9:9,10; 10:8,10,11,14; 11:6,8 1. He gives victory – 8:1; 9:9,10; 10:8,10,11,14; 11:6,8 2. He gives instructions – 8:2; 11:6,15 2. He gives instructions – 8:2; 11:6,15 3. He has all the resources – 10:10,11,13,14; 11:4,5,21,22 cf. Num.13:33 3. He has all the resources – 10:10,11,13,14; 11:4,5,21,22 cf. Num.13:33

3. God is a Warrior b. God’s people fight God triumphed through his people – ch.8; 10:9,30,32,35,37,39,40,42 We must never separate:- 1. Trusting God – the Bible & Prayer 1. Trusting God – the Bible & Prayer Cf. 9:14 & 10:12,13 2. Working out a strategy – 10:9 2. Working out a strategy – 10:9

4. God is a Warrior c. We are in a spiritual battle – a battle for hearts & minds:- 1. The battle is with Satan – Eph.6:12 1. The battle is with Satan – Eph.6:12 2. Our weapons are spiritual - 2Cor.10:4,5 2. Our weapons are spiritual - 2Cor.10:4,5 a. God’s Word/the Gospel – Eph.6:17 a. God’s Word/the Gospel – Eph.6:17 b. Prayer – Eph.6:18 b. Prayer – Eph.6:18

5. 2. God is the Judge a. The judgment is terrible – 10:28-40 b. The sin is terrible – Dt.9:4,5 1. Perverse sexual practise – Lev.18:24,25 1. Perverse sexual practise – Lev.18:24,25 2. Child sacrifice – Dt.12:31 2. Child sacrifice – Dt.12:31 3. Idolatry – Dt.12:1-4 3. Idolatry – Dt.12:1-4 God is patient – Gen.15:16; 2Pet.3:9 Israel is warned & judged – Dt.7:1-4; 12:29-31; 2Kings 16:3; 23:10; ch.25 c. Judgment cleanses the land –cf. New Creation

6. d. The Cross – the full display of God’s judgment At the Cross we see most clearly:- 1. The awful nature of sin 2. The horrific reality of judgment 3. The incredible act of God as he bears our judgment Only 2 responses to the Cross:- a. Humble repentance & faith cf. Rahab b. Stubborn rejection of God’s mercy & bearing God’s judgment myself Judgment - God’s reluctant work – Gen.6:6;Lk.19:41

7. 3. God’s gracious & faithful work a. The generosity of God – 8:2,27; 11:14 b. The faithfulness of God – Shechem – a place of promise – Gen12:6,7; 33:18-20; Josh.8:30-35; 11:23; ch.12; 21:45; 23:14 c. The response of God’s people – 8:30-35 1. Obedience brings blessing – ch.8 1. Obedience brings blessing – ch.8 2. Disobedience – judgment – ch.7 cf. Dt.11:26- 32; ch.27,28(27:12,13); 30:15-20 2. Disobedience – judgment – ch.7 cf. Dt.11:26- 32; ch.27,28(27:12,13); 30:15-20 Obedience does not earn salvation, it is a response to salvation