• repeated cycle in Judges, preceded by Othniel and Mesopotamia (3:7-11)

• again…the LORD strengthened Eglon of Moab
• 18 years of oppression

• Israel cried…the LORD raised up…
• left-hander who delivers tribute with a sword on his right thigh
• turning back with a message for a fat king

• attendants exit…Ehud enters
• sword to the belly and locked doors
• waiting servants and their dead lord

• a sounded trumpet and a summons to follow
• 80 years of rest

• Because the LORD achieves His purposes through unconventional means, trust His sovereign deliverance now and forever.
• connection to NT and Jesus: 2 Tim. 3:16 and Rev. 1:5-6

• ongoing conquest and a glaring omission (1:1-2:5)
• another generation and a repeated refrain (2:6-11)
• observable cycle of sin in Judges

• abandonment and provocation
• kindled anger and opposing hand

• provision against plunderers
• refusal to listen and resolve to lust

• designed for a new generation
• assessment and exposure

• Considering the connection between amnesia and apostasy, cling to the LORD and avoid compromise.
• connection to Jesus/NT: looking to the permanent Deliverer (Heb. 7:23-25)
• two applications: address and engage
• “Musing on my habitation, Musing on my heav’nly home, Fills my soul with holy longings: Come, My Jesus, quickly come. Vanity is all I see: Lord, I long to be with Thee! Lord, I long to be with Thee!” (Williams, “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”)

• Shechem
• repetition of “summoned”
• “…before God”

• review of covenant history with emphasis on God’s activity (“I” 18 times)
• amazing grace: they “served other gods”
• unhurried pace: “made his offspring many”

• logical: “Now therefore…” (Rom. 12:1-2)
• exclusive: “serve” (18 times in Josh. 24)
• cautious: “You are not able…”

• implied sacrifice: covenant=”to cut”
• written record
• a stone witness

• Because the Lord relates to you graciously and faithfully, serve Him gladly and exclusively.
• “Here I raise my Ebenezer, Hither by Thy help I come…Let Thy goodness, Like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee…” (R. Robinson)

• from taking the land (5-12) to possessing the land (13-21)
• prizing Yahweh Himself more than Yahweh’s gifts

• tribal allotments in Canaan
• no trivial commands

• a five-fold repetition
• remembering God’s past word
• anchoring identity in the Master’s promise, not the majority report

• a request for the hills
• cultivating strength for later faithfulness
• the blessing that follows obedience

• Because you can trust the LORD of the promises completely, wholly follow Him.
• Think recalibration rather than retirement.
• connection to Jesus/NT: the ultimate “rest” of Heb. 4:9-11
• “Since from His bounty I receive such proofs of love divine, had I a thousand hearts to give, Lord, they should all be Thine.” (S. Stennett, “Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned”)

• after the crossing of Jordan and the conquest of Jericho
• wrath: settled hostility, refusal to compromise, resolve to condemn (Piper)

• broken faith and burning wrath
• hasty retreat and melted hearts

• processing a devastating defeat
• danger of Israel and Yahweh’s reputation

• disclosure of Israel’s sin and hinge of the whole chapter (12b)
• ultimate goal of restoration

• confrontation and confession followed by severe penalty for serious sin
• monuments to severe wrath and saving help (4:1-10)

• Because of sin’s severe consequences, tremble before God’s wrath.
• connection to Jesus and the NT: sharing His alarm over sin (Matt. 5:29-30)
• from the valley of trouble to the door of hope (Hos. 2:14-15)

• instructions regarding the ark and its significance
• call for consecration and the ark passing on before the people

• affirmation of presence
• commanding the priests and the people

• here is how you will know…
• the reasoning of faith and the stopping up of the Jordan

• information about springtime river conditions
• resolution: people pass over on dry ground

• intervention, fidelity and purpose

• Because He writes His faithfulness across the calendar of your life, follow the LORD.
• connections to NT and Jesus: Heb. 11:29-30 and Matt. 3:13-17
• the “why” of remembrance
• “On Jordan’s stormy banks I stand and cast a wishful eye, to Canaan’s fair and happy land where my possessions lie…” (Stennett, “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand”)

• preceded by commissioning of Joshua (1) and followed by crossing the Jordan River (3)

• especially Jericho and lodging with Rahab

• the king informed and in communication with Rahab
• the narrator’s commentary

• heart of the story: might, majesty and mercy of Yahweh
• spies respond

• let down by a rope through the window…scarlet cord in the window

• the land into our hands… melting inhabitants (Josh. 6:25)

• Assured that He sovereignly advances His saving purposes, align yourself with the LORD and His Kingdom.
• connections to NT and Jesus: James 2:25, Heb. 11:31, Matt. 1:5
• “Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised…” (“Softly and Tenderly,” Thompson)

• v.1 Consensus
• v.2-3 Courage
• v.4-6 Commitment
• Worshiping God should be our highest priority.

• v.7-9 Planning the work
• v.10-13 Praising the Lord
• Recognizing God’s faithfulness fuels worship.

• Putting God first and worshiping Him should always be our highest priority.
• “You are worthy, Father, Creator. You are worthy, Saviour, Sustainer. You are worthy, worthy and wonderful. Worthy of worship and praise.” (Terry W. York, “Worthy of Worship”)

• historical narrative: declaration from God about God
• no failing of promises (21:43-45)
• human leadership transition: from Moses to Joshua

• context: following the incomparable Moses (Deut. 34:10-12)
• content: Yahweh’s gift of land (Gen. 12:6-7)

• in the midst of threatening circumstances (Ex. 3:12)
• basis of instruction: be strong and bold

• being careful to do… (Psa. 1)
• stress on the urgency of obedience

• Because of His unfailing promises and unceasing presence, go boldly into God’s future for you.
• three specific applications: sever, claim and confirm…
• “Abide with Me” (H. Lyte)

• Matthew’s Spirit-inspired quest to show the significance of the death of Jesus
• transition from people around the cross to the Person on the cross

• sign of judgment and OT connections (Amos 8:9, Ex. 10:21-23)

• statement and Psa. 22:1
• isolation and silence followed by responses of misunderstanding, pity and ridicule

• sovereign volunteer (Isa. 53:10-12) and an accomplished mission (Jn. 19:30)

• the issue of access (Heb. 10:19-25)
• testimony of the Father’s delight (Isa. 29:6, Ezek. 37:12-13, Dan. 12:2)

• rebuke of religious unbelief

• “Because of His role as your forsaken substitute, submit yourself fully to Jesus.”
• “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed” (Watts)