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2. Stories From The Old Testament That Build Faith & Devotion

3. A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  God tells Joshua, “I have given you the city…its king & valiant warriors” 6:2  This “gift” had “conditions” 6:3-5, 10  March around city 1 time a day for 6 days  March around city 7 times on 7th day  No one makes a sound…march in silence Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

4. A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  God tells Joshua, “I have given you the city…its king & valiant warriors” 6:2  This “gift” had “conditions” 6:3-5, 10  Priests then blow rams’ horns  On command, the people shout  After all this, the city walls would collapse Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

5. A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  God tells Joshua, “I have given you the city…its king & valiant warriors” 6:2  Many want God’s “gifts” to be unconditional  Anything man must “do” has him earning … therefore, it is no longer a “gift”  Grace does not negate obedience Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

6. A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  God tells Joshua, “I have given you the city…its king & valiant warriors” 6:2  God’s “gifts” can be conditional  Man may have to “do” something and he still won’t be “earning” anything Eph 2:1-10 Jn 6:29 Lk 13:3 Jas 2:24 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

7. A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  There were “restrictions” 6:17-19  The city was under a “ban”…God claimed all spoil or booty found in the city  Covetousness would adversely “the camp”  Israel obeyed God re: the city’s capture… she had great success 6:20-21 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

8. A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  There was also “salvation” 6:22-25  Rahab (a harlot) had sheltered spies Joshua had sent out in advance 2:1-24  She had heard enough to believe vv. 9-13  She requested refuge for herself & her family  Joshua ordered Rahab’s “deliverance” Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

9. A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  There was also “salvation” 6:22-25  Some find difficulty with Rahab’s lies  True…she did not tell the truth 2:4-7  We do not condone her lying, either  This is not justification for “situation ethics”  It underscores God’s patience Acts 17:30-31 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

10. A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  There was also “salvation” 6:22-25 LESSON  No matter how “sinful” we have been, God offers “refuge” to those who trust, believe, and obey Him Heb 11:31 Jas 2:25  Our “potential” is still great Ruth 4:21-22 Mt 1:5 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

11. A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  Emphasis Ù God’s power & Israel’s faith  Accomplished “by faith” Heb 11:30  Unconventional & illogical methods  All designed to glorify God, not Israel  No inherent power to marching, blowing, and shouting to capture a fortified city  How might this have looked from Jericho? Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

12. A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  Emphasis Ù God’s power & Israel’s faith  Accomplished “by faith” Heb 11:30  Present-day “struggles” re: God’s “gift”  Salvation = a gracious “gift”  Does it come with or without conditions?  Do we deem them “illogical?”  Enough belief in God to obey Him? Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

13. A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  A great victory…“But” 7:1  Israel acted unfaithfully…“sinned” 7:11  Though only 1 person violated God’s ban re: Jericho, the collective work of the nation was adversely affected  Sin was in the camp!! Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

14. A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  A great victory…“But” 7:1  When just 1 among us is guilty of sin, everyone is affected 1 Cor 5:6-7 12:26  Because of our connection together, our “joint work” for God will be hindered Eph 4:25b Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

15. A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  Failure at Ai 7:2-5  Spies advised Joshua not to “trouble the entire army…only send 3,000”  The men of Ai struck down Israel…36 killed  Israel’s heart was “melted”  God had not been consulted!! Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

16. A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  Joshua reacts to defeat 7:6-9  He tore his clothes & fell on his face  He cried to God, “Why did You bring us across the Jordan only to deliver us to the Amorites? If only we had been willing to dwell beyond the Jordan!!” cp. Num 14:3 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

17. A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  God reacts to Joshua 7:10-15  “Get up!!” [Not pleased with his cry] v. 10  Accusation Ù “Israel has sinned” v. 11  Procedures given to identify the sinner vv. 12-15 cp. Prov 16:33 Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

18. A Story Of Victory & Defeat Josh 6-7  God reacts to Joshua 7:10-15  If God already knew, why this “process?” cp. Gen 3:9, 11 4:9-10 Acts 5:8  Could this have been Achan’s chance to repent? Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

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