GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS FOR WARFARE

Pastor Jerry Rockwell

 

GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS FOR WARFARE

 

Joshua 6:6-16

Introduction: Israel is poised to attack Jericho and eliminate the major obstacle to entering the land God had given them. The people of Jericho had quarantined themselves and probably due to the fear they had developed from the news of how God had dried up the Red sea and destroyed Egypt’s army. The people were aware of the defeat of the kings Og and Sihon, two Amorite kings and their armies (Josh. 2:10-11). Emotionally, the people and army of Jericho were already defeated. They were probably as surprised at the strategy of Israel as the soldiers of Israel were. Remember, God told Joshua in Joshua 6:3 (KJV) And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. God did tell him to have the “men of war” march around the city each day. 

  1. GOD’S WILL FOR THE BATTLE, Joshua 6:6-7. Do what you know God instructs you to do. Joshua has a difficult task. He needs to get 2.5 million people to the place where God wants them to pour out His blessing. He has lived with these people for 40 years and found that they wrote the operations manual on how to complain. Yet Joshua follows an interesting pattern in dealing with these people. His strategy to get them to the place of promise is interesting. He never gives people directions for the next seven days; he gives them only one day at a time. The text does not say that Joshua told the people everything God told him. God gives him instructions, and he tells the people what they need to know for each day. Have you noticed the interesting instructions given to the people?  Joshua has told the people they are to walk around the city of Jericho, and he gives the order in which they are to go. 
  1. The Armed Men, Joshua 6:7, 9. They walk before the Ark of the Covenant. There are two things here to make note of. One, they would be able to display the fighting men of the army of Israel. Second, for The New Testament believer, there is a picture of being led by those who have the word of God and can rightly divide “the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 4:12).
  2. The Priests Blowing the Trumpets. come the seven priests with the trumpets. The trumpets in the Old Testament were used for various things. When God gave the Law, a trumpet was sounded (Exod.19:16). The trumpet was used to call the people to worship (Num. 10:10). It was also used to announce the “Day of Atonement” (Lev. 25:9). The trumpet was sounded in the event of war (Josh. 6:5, 20) which is the event about to begin. One problem, though, the battle is not what many would expect. God’s instructions are not what  fighting soldiers would expect. 
  3. The Ark of The Lord. The middle of the procession is occupied by those who bear the Ark of the Lord. The Ark had several designations with each emphasizing the people’s relationship with God. They are the “Ark of the Testimony,” eleven times  (Exod. 25:22; 26:33-34; 30:6 et al), the “Ark of the Covenant,” 41 times (Deut. 10:8; 31:9, 25, 26; Josh. 3:3, et al), the “Ark of God” 33 times (1 Sam. 4:17-19. 21-22; 1 Chron. 13:5-7; 12, 14, 15:1-2, et al), and the “Ark of the Lord” 35 times (Josh. 3:13; 4:5, 11; 6:6-7; 1 Sam. 4:6; 5:3, et al). They all refer to the same item. This was carried by at least four priests, sons of Kohath. We know from the books of Exodus and Numbers (especially) that the Ark was the place where God dwelt. The people who had direct access to God were the priests. As New Testament believers we are consider priests of God and have direct access to God. Hebrews 4:16 (KJV) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. The priesthood of the believer is found in 1 Peter 2:5 (KJV) Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; Revelation 1:6 (KJV) And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Revelation 5:10 (KJV) And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth Revelation 20:6 (KJV) Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 

d. The “rereward,” Joshua 6:9. The word is an old English word that means literally “rear guard” or “all the people.” (Josh. 6:5). We would say, “All the rest.” Joshua is saying, “Now, all the rest of you get up and get going. In other words, Joshua is saying, everyone else falls in and follows. Everyone is to take part in the battle. Joshua gave instructions to all the people, but some of them walked behind and were instructed to keep silent. Evidently the only people who knew a little of what was going on were the people with specific responsibilities. The soldiers knew their responsibility, the priests knew theirs, and the priests with trumpets knew theirs. The common people were not given specific instructions until the seventh day when the walls fell down. We need to realize that there are some aspects of life we do not know. Many people attending church wonder if there is something specific for them to do in the church. Yes, but it may not be revealed until later. If we knew what the future had in store for us, we probably would not want to continue. We need to learn to live each day as it comes. Yes, God has a plan for your life, and it means trusting Him and living by faith. The Bible says, “The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17). We go through life wondering what God’s will for our lives is. We want to get ahead of God and try to figure out what He wants in my life. We need to learn to live one day at a time. There are four places in the Bible that tells us what the direct will of God is. Romans 12:1-2 (KJV) 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God; 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (KJV) For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication; 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you; 1 Peter 2:15 (KJV) For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. [Emphasis added.] Did you ever think that God would reveal something to you if you were not willing to do the basics? Do you want to be where God wants you to be? Then follow these four stated aspects of the will of God. If we do this we won’t have time to wonder what God wants for your life. Just do what you know to do and leave the rest to Him.

  1. GOD’S WALK FOR HIS FOLLOWERS, Joshua 6:9-10. The people were willing to do what God has instructed them to do. We need to note that the procession has an interesting alignment. As we have stated above, there is the “armed men,” then the priests who “blew the trumpets,” “the Ark of God,” and following this, all of the people. This order is not without significance. We have already noted the typology of the procession. Let’s take note of some things here that we need to make careful observations about, some applications. These people walked around the city of Jericho thirteen times. One time for the first six days, then seven times on the seventh day.  Note in verse 8 that the priests blowing the trumpets “passed on before the Lord,” whose presence was in the “Ark of God.” They were in a sense, walking with God. That is not without significance. Interestingly, we find in the Old Testament three types of walks for those who follow God. Can we have a brief sidebar? The people were doing a lot of walking before the victory was accomplished. There is the:
  1. The walk before the Lord. In Genesis 17:1 (KJV), we are told about Abram, and when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. This would be a walk of “maturity.” It is significant to note that John the Baptist went “before” the Lord to prepare the way (Mark 1:2). It does not suggest we are more important than God. It does indicate that there are times in our life when we need to prepare the way for some to come to faith. This usually takes a mature walk of the believer. The armed men walked before the Ark. These are the men who carried swords. JoshuaThese were the armed men. You have men who walk before you who have the “sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17) and “rightly divide” the word of God according to 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 
  2. The walk after the Lord. We find in Deuteronomy 13:4 (KJV) Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. [Emphasis added.] The walk of service is about following and serving. This verse suggests one would “cleave unto him.” There should be a part of our walk that is to be service to the Lord, walking after him. Can I ask how you are doing in this matter?
  3. The walk with the Lord. In Genesis 5:22 (KJV) we told And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters. The Ark of the Covenant/Testimony was the place where God dwelt. The priests who carried the Ark had a great privilege. They walked with the Lord. Can you think of a more secure place? The walk with the Lord was an important position. It came with privileges. You and I have a special privilege to be able to walk with God. How is that going in your life? Do you walk “daily” with Him? 
  4. The walk of the New Testament believer. We have a fourth walk that the people of the Old Testament knew nothing about. Abraham knew nothing about this, nor did David, the man who was after God’s own heart. Look at Colossians 2:6 (KJV) As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. [Emphasis added.] We have a unique relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. We should have all of the three walks in our life. The people did not know from day to day what they were going to do. I’m sure if Joshua had told them that they would walk around the city six times in six days and then on the seventh day they would walk around the city seven times, there would be some in the ranks who would question why. My understanding is that they were only given “daily” instructions. You and I need to know that “daily” we are walking before, with and after the Lord. Listen to some of the passages that address this matter. Psalms 61:8 (KJV) So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows. Psalms 68:19 (KJV) Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. Psalms 86:3 (KJV) Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Matthew 6:11 (KJV) Give us this day our daily bread. Luke 9:23 (KJV) And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. The only instructions we need are those that will help us through this day. We are to have the three walks of the believers: One we walk before the Lord and be a witness, we need to walk after the Lord as a servant and we need to walk with the Lord. We have the presence of the Lord with us by His Holy Spirit, and everywhere we go He goes.
  1. GOD’S WAYS FOR VICTORY, Joshua 6:10. Do what the scripture tells us to do. We could observe by the text that there are some unusual things God has for instructions. They were to keep quiet. There is a passage that tells us to “study to be quiet” (1 Thess. 4:11). Can you imagine the difficulty these people had as they walked around the city, having to keep quiet? I believe that meant they could not even talk to the people walking alongside them. It is very possible that after the first day the occupants of the city of Jericho began to gather on the top of the wall and wonder what these crazy Israelites were going to do, march around the city and then go back to their camp. I am satisfied that after the second day there began to be a lot of “trash talk” coming from the walls. The temptation would be to yell back or use a few hand signals. They were to be quiet, keep their mouth shut. Did it ever occur to you that the Bible has a lot to say about this matter? Look at James 3:1-12 (KJV) 1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Job said in Job 6:24 (KJV) Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. [Emphasis added.] Psalms 39:1 (KJV) I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. James 1:26 (KJV) If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. The ways of God are unusual. Here is another matter we need to consider as it relates to what God wants in our life. If we are unable to control our tongue what makes us think that God will give any further instructions? We need to remember the principle that if we don’t obey the truth given us we won’t be given any further truth. There is a limit to what God will give to a person who will not act on what he already knows. If one is not able to “bridle their tongue” then there is little progress and this limits what God will instruct us in. 

 

Conclusion: This little passage is filled with instruction for the believer. If we ever expect to get to the place of victory we need to learn to follow simple instructions. We have these strongholds that we must go through. They are there for us to learn to trust the Lord. There are things that will hinder our ability to win the victory and move on to the place of blessing. These are some simple instructions that do not take a lot of experience to obey. You don’t have to memorize the Gospel of John to follow these instructions. You do not have to witness to 10 people daily to follow these instructions. You simply need to have a willing heart to listen to the leader and walk the walk of the believer. Can I ask how you are doing in the walk?