Dr Tom Hover
June 26, 2022
Joshua 9:1–27
The ENEMY Within!
The ENEMY Within!
Joshua 9:1–27
Introduction: After decisive victories at Jericho and AI, and after a special time of worship and recommitment to the Law of God at Mounts Ebal and Gerizim, the people of Israel are preparing to march deeper into Canaan to claim the land the Lord had given to them. The cities that they faced teach us some spiritual lessons.
1. Jericho—A type of the world I John 5:4
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
2. Ai—A type of the flesh Romans 7:24–25
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
3. Gibeon—A type of the devil James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
There are some lessons in this passage we need to take to heart when the enemy is within.
I. THE ENEMY IS ALWAYS OUT TO DECEIVE. Joshua 9:1–13 Note Joshua 9:1–2
A. They Use Deceptive Wiles Joshua 9: 4
Eph.6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Luke 22:31–32
31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
I Timothy 3:7
Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
B. They Use Deceptive Wares Joshua 9: 4-5
II Cor. 11:14
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
John 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
C. They Use Deceptive Words Joshua 9:6-13
He practiced this kind of trickery in the Garden of Eden when he talked to Eve: Genesis 3:1–6
I Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
II. THE ENEMY IS ALWAYS OUT TO DESTORY! Joshua 9:14–21
A. Their Ability To See Clearly Was Destroyed Joshua 9:14
Joshua 9:7-8 Joshua is to be commended for his caution, but he gave up just a little too soon! The Bible tells us in Eph. 4:27, that we are not to give “place” to the devil in our lives. This word refers to a beachhead.
B. Their Ability To Seek Counsel Was Destroyed Joshua 9:14
C. Their Ability To Stay Clean Was Destroyed Joshua 9:15–21
III. THE ENEMY CAN AND SHOULD BE DEFEATED Joshua 9:22–27
A. The Enemy Must Be Confronted Joshua 9:22
B. The Enemy Must Be Controlled Joshua 9:27
C. The Enemy Must Be Commissioned Joshua 9:27
Moreover, the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: Romans 5:20
Pray for our Campers this week, that the Holy Spirit will move and we will see children saved. Please also pray for the Pastor and all helpers at the camp this week as they minister to the children.
