Now that the Israelites have crossed the Jordan, the first major challenge is Jericho. Before you can receive God’s promise, you have to prepare yourself (body, soul, and spirit) physically, mentally, and spiritually. Joshua 5:1 tells us the kings on the other side of the Jordan had heard about the Lord and their courage failed. You would think it was the perfect time to attack but God knew they were not ready. As important as God’s will is God’s timing (see Gal. 4:4 and Ecc. 3:11). There is a pattern, sequence, and order to receiving all God has for you. I want you to see the four steps of preparation.
Identity
God commanded Abraham to circumcise all the males in his family as a sign that they belonged to God. This sign continued throughout the Old Testament, but in the wilderness, they did not circumcise for forty years. Before this new generation could serve as the army of the Lord, they had to identify that they belonged to Him (Josh. 5:2-9). The New Testament sign of the covenant is water baptism. It signifies that we have been set free from spiritual bondage and are devoted to God’s mission. Baptism is a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Aren’t you glad circumcision is not required in the New Testament? When Israel left Egypt, God told them to take a lamb, kill it, and put the blood on the doorpost. When the death angel came and saw the blood, he would pass over. Christ is our Passover Lamb. Revelation 12 says we are overcomers by the blood of the Lamb. We have to apply it to our house, home, and family. We have to use the spiritual weapons God has given us and let the devil know he is unwelcome and unwanted. We belong to Jesus and our identity is in Him!
Responsibility
Joshua 5:11-12 tells us, “The day after Passover they ate unleavened bread and roasted grain from the produce of the land. And the day after they ate from the produce of the land, the manna ceased.” God had fed them manna for 40 years. He is our provider! Sometimes He provides naturally and sometimes supernaturally. Every gift is from God. God does not waste miracles. If we will do the possible, God will do the impossible. There is always God’s part and man’s part. Jesus raised Lazarus but He told them to roll the stone away. God will provide what you need in each season. He uses different means and ways. God has a land of abundance ready for us, but He expects us to work. We have to prepare and take responsibility. And if you ever doubt God’s care and provision for you, look back like they did to Passover. Jesus was our Passover lamb. The cross is a constant reminder of how much God loves us.
Humility
Joshua was near Jericho, surveying the city, when he encountered “the commander of the Lord’s army” (Josh. 5:13-15). The walls of Jericho were everything he had dreaded. He probably was thinking to himself there is no way we can do this. All of a sudden, the Lord met Joshua (we know this by his response). What are you dreading? Get your eyes off Jericho and on Jesus! You say, “I need for God to show up!” He is already here! He is going before you. God appeared to Abraham as a visitor. He appeared to Jacob as a wrestler. He appeared to the three Hebrew children as the fourth man in the fire. He appeared to Joshua as the Captain – Commander and Chief! Joshua took off his shoes and laid down his sword. Before you can win you have to lose. Before you can be first you have to be last. Before you can receive you have to give. Before you can live you have to die. When you humble yourself to Jesus as Lord, you put yourself in a position of victory to win!
Victory
In Joshua 6:2, the Lord tells Joshua, “I have handed Jericho, its king, and its best soldiers over to you.” God wants to give you His best! What challenge or impossibilities consume your thoughts? What keeps you awake at night? What is the biggest trial you currently face? What is between you and your promised land? The Psalmist said, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:1-2). As long as you are looking at Jericho, you will never see Jesus. Look up! God only brought down the wall of Jericho after Joshua worshipped. When did God send an earthquake that shook the foundation, caused the prison door to open, and the chains to fall off Paul and Silas? When they started worshipping at the midnight hour.
Notice the order. Identity – Know who you are in Christ. God can even use your weakness. Responsibility – Work to prepare yourself. Serve Jesus. Humility – Fall on your knees and worship Jesus as Lord. Victory – God will give you the plan to win!
Works Consulted:
Tony Evans Bible Commentary
Be Strong, Wiersbe
Glory Days, Lucado
Joshua, Keller
The Gospel Project, Ethridge
Shields, J. B. (2008). An assessment of dropout rates of former youth ministry participants in conservative Southern Baptist megachurches (Order No. 3356773). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (304494606).
