“May God get the Glory for Every Victory” Joshua 9-12

I love studying the book of Joshua because it is telling us a story. One that is unfamiliar to me. Now of course, I know the story (and song) of Jericho and Rahab, but beyond that was a blur of battles for me. Getting to dive deeper into the Old Testament is a treat. 

Last week John addressed the stories of Jericho and Ai. He uncovered stories of victory and defeat (because of  the sin of the Israelites) and then complete victory again. Like John said there was a type of great gossip circle going on, where everybody knew of the LORD’s great work. Because of these stories and those of Exodus, the name of the LORD was well known in the ancient world. It was also feared. Those in the land had heard the plans of God and knew that the Israelites were God’s people and that He had given them the land that they, themselves, lived in. That must have been terrifying. Then to see it happen to your neighbors and know you might be next! For Gibeon was relatively close to Ai. Many, many kings decided to fight the will of God. How often does that happen these days?? People fight what God’s will is for many different reasons, yet the result is the same – death.  

The Gibeonites have heard about the mighty God that is with the Israelites and in fear and maybe a little awe, they turn to deception, for they wanted to live.  There are a couple of lessons that are revealed in the story of the Gibeonites. For Israel, and her leaders, fell for the deception, and made peace with them. First, I want to focus on the obvious.  

Don’t be deceived by Satan’s attempts. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour “. So, it is true that Satan wants us to fail. He will set up traps to snare us and to get us to sin. I have seen some easy to spot traps. I, for a while, tried online dating. And some traps are easy to spot. Some gentlemen, (if I even dare to call them gentlemen) would try to put the “moves” on me, a little too early for my taste. The ones that aren’t anywhere near “godly” are quite easy to spot and avoid. But there are some harder tests, like the gentlemen that say they are Christians, might possibly even, talk the talk, but after a date or two they request things that tip you off. Sometimes it can take months, before you know who they really are, that they are trying to snare you into a trap.  

How do we guarantee that we don’t fall into traps that Satan has set for us (for there are many)? First and foremost, LEAN INTO GOD!!! It is so important to remember that God is our first and last defense It is important to remember to take time to know God BEFORE the trap is upon you. That means you are studying in His word, and praying to him, before the trap even appears. Fresh from the victory of Ai, the Israelites, might have gotten a little too big for their britches. Thinking they had this down pat and understood all that was going on.  In Joshua 9 verses 14 and 15 the bible specifically points out that the Israelites neglected going to the LORD so seek His counsel.  

Throughout the bible it calls us to draw near to GOD (James 4:8) and in our lesson on Day One the verses confirm that God will lead us in the way to go. Even our memory verse points this out!  God wishes us to have wisdom and will give it to us if we only ask. In James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” If the Israelites had asked God for wisdom about the Gibeonites they would not have been forced into battle, so early for them, against the large coalition that came against Gibeon. 

The second lesson I got out of the story of the Gibeonites is how what is meant for evil God uses for good. This is a theme that stretches throughout the bible as well.  For, through the Gibeonites is a great story of redemption, much like that of Rahab. Although the Gibeonites deceived the Israelites, and therefore coming to the LORD as liars; they applied themselves to the LORD in menial tasks (as wood cutters and water carriers), as commanded by Joshua. In this treaty, a people were brought into proximity with the true worship of the living God. For throughout the history books it shows the Gibeonites as becoming part of God’s people. Some of the more impressive feats of the Gibeonites include becoming part of Kind David’s “mighty men” 1 Chron 12:4 and being part of the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem in Nehemiah 3:7 and 7:25. These are great examples of what God can do with people who are sinners but come to Him in humility and love. 

Keeping our word. Even if the oath is retained in a dishonest manner. We as Christians must abide by our oath. Oath taking and swearing were solemn affairs. To take an oath was to give a sacred and unbreakable word to follow through on what was promised. Let me set the stage. Because the Gibeonites had tricked Joshua and the Israelite leaders into a covenant, the other major cities of the area felt even more threatened. Led by Adoni-Zedek, the King of Jerusalem, armies with the kings of Hebron, king of Jarmuth, King of Lachish, King of Eglon. All worked into a super army to come against Gibeon, because they had too much fear to come directly against Israel. And here is where the rubber meets the road on the treaty Joshua signed.  In Joshua 10:6 – The Gibeonites are wise to call on Israel as their helpers and protectors. For they know where their power is coming from. This is not just a fight on a battlefield. This is the LORD God fulfilling His promise to his children. Gibeon’s plea “Do not forsake your servants; come up to us quickly, save us and help us.” They are not too proud to call for help. And they received help in verse 7 because of the covenant that Joshua made with them. Just as when we are not too proud to call to God His answers us because of the covenant He has made with us.  

Joshua comes upon this great army, after marching all night, uphill (it is a climb of 3,300 feet over a distance of 20 miles. So, Joshua was fully committed to this fight, he also brought along his best men. This is important because God didn’t NEED Joshua there to win the battle. But God longs to draw us into working with Him. So, Joshua sure showed up.  But with Joshua showing up it set a pattern of God winning the battle. For God sent hailstones down, killing many, before Israel was able to kill them. Then Joshua pleading with his God, for he knows where his power comes from. Did something that is not recorded before or since. He prayed that God would stop the sun, and the moon, extend the day by around another day. Giving the Israelites time to finish the job. That was a glorious site for sure.  

After Joshua brings out the kings to be slain, he goes around with the Israelites and finishes off the cities that belong to those kings. And the key verse here is Verse 42 b because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.  

So, after Joshua has the central portion of land and then captures up all of the Southern Land, the Northern Kings began to tremble. So another army (full of armies) came against Israel. Now this was a BIG army. It mentions in verse 11:4 And they came out with all their troops, a great horde (like something out of Lord of the Rings), in number like the sand that is on the seashore, with very many horses and chariots (neither of which the Israelites had). 

Buy would like to point out something I found fascinating here. This great horde was not Israel’s first battle. They started with Jericho then Ai on to the battle with the southern kings and THEN the horde of the Northern Kingdom!! Our challenges facing us in our Christian life seem to increase with each step. God uses the victory in the past as a springboard to push us up higher each time.  Also, this battle was proceeded by some very special words.  “But the LORD said to Joshua, ‘Do not be afraid because of them, for tomorrow about this time I will deliver all of them...before Israel.’ The LORD did this.... all of this. Because of promise made. And the children of Israel were home.  

I would like to finish with chapter 11 verse 15, “Just as the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses, commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses. “May we leave nothing undone when we finish our battles. May God get the glory for every victory.  

"To the Pirates of the Mediterranean" March 2020

When I read about the island of Crete it makes me think of the movie and ride at Disneyland “Pirates of the Caribbean”. If you have never seen any of the movies (there are 5), they depict the life of pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow, in a very interesting way. Anytime he does something dishonest he claims “Pirate” as an excuse. For, pirates are known to be dishonest and greedy. And in biblical times that was what the people of the Island of Crete were known as.  

Crete is an island southeast of Greece along the imaginary boundary between the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. As of 67 BC the Romans were in charge in Crete. In the Complete Guide to the Bible by Stephen M Miller it says of Crete “This island descends into a culturally deprived hideout for mercenaries and pirates and it becomes a port of last resort for traders on their way to somewhere else.” Other ancient authors have also made equally disparaging comments about Cretans, who apparently had a reputation for lacking ethical principles, stealing, and harboring robbers and pirates.  A Greek historian by the name Polybius living in the second century BC made the following comments about Cretans: Money is so highly valued among them, that its possession is not only thought to be necessary but in the highest degree creditable. And in fact, greed is so native to the soil in Crete, that they are the only people in the world among whom no stigma attaches to any sort of gain whatever. Now, with few exceptions, you could find no habits prevailing in private life more steeped in treachery than those in Crete, and no public policy more inequitable (Polybius 6.46-47).  

Wow may that never be said about our group! In fact, Paul himself, agreed with, “a prophet of their own, when he says ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons’ This testimony is true.” in chapter 1 verses 12 and 13 of Titus. It should be noted that right before and right after the negative comment in Titus 1:12 about Cretans in general, there is a specific reference to Jewish practices. In 1:10-11 we have the following statement: “For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.” These two verses clearly echo the comments of Polybius about the Cretans’ unscrupulous greed for money. But it is significant that it is specifically connected with the Jewish teaching of circumcision. The implication is that there were some Jewish groups that taught circumcision for the sake of monetary gain.  

The only other place where Crete is mentioned in the bible is in Acts 2:11 it mentions that some Jewish Cretans came to Pentecost, so we know that there was a population of Jews on Crete. Paul and Titus are rumored to have spent some time on Crete establishing the Christian churches. It was with these pirates and mercenaries Paul left Titus.  

Titus was a Greek, apparently from Antioch, who is said to have studied Greek philosophy and poetry in his early years. He seems to have been led to faith in Christ by Paul, then he served as Paul's secretary and interpreter. He was never circumcised proving it isn’t necessary for salvation! Titus is not mentioned in Acts but 13 other times in the New Testament 

Towards the close of the year 56, Paul, as he himself departed from Asia, sent Titus from Ephesus to Corinth, with full commission to remedy the fallout cause by Timothy's delivery of 1 Corinthians and Paul's "Painful Visit", particularly a significant personal offense and challenge to Paul's authority by one unnamed individual. During this journey, Titus served as the courier for what is commonly known as the "Severe Letter", a Pauline missive that has been lost but is referred to in 2 Corinthians. 

After success on this mission, Titus journeyed north and met Paul in Macedonia. There the apostle, overjoyed by Titus' success, wrote 2 Corinthians. Titus then returned to Corinth with a larger entourage, carrying 2 Corinthians with him. Paul joined Titus in Corinth later. From Corinth, Paul then sent Titus to organize the collections of alms for the Christians at Jerusalem. Titus was therefore a troubleshooter, peacemaker, administrator, and missionary. 

Early church tradition holds that Paul, after his release from his first imprisonment in Rome, stopped at the island of Crete to preach. Due to the needs of other churches, requiring his presence elsewhere, he ordained his disciple Titus as bishop of that island, and left him to finish the work he had started.  The New Testament does not record Titus’ death, although it is thought that he returned to Crete and finished out his life there. 

Although there is a small fraction that believes that Paul didn’t write the book of Titus, the common belief is that he is the author. It is thought that the Book of Titus was written sometime between 62 and 65 AD. Probably around the same time as 1 Timothy. 

The book of Titus is very much like the Timothies books. Although it focuses a lot on “good works” not in place of the grace of God but because of it. Paul starts out Titus with his greeting and acknowledging that his hope lies in Eternal Life that is promised by God, who never lies.  And confirms that his calling is from God.  

Paul goes on to explain why Titus was left on Crete (the island of pirates 😉), to find elders for the churches that were there. In this island of misfits Titus was to search out true Christians to be elders. The churches on Crete were just as susceptible to false teachers as any other church, so Paul directed Titus to establish a group of faithful elders to oversee the doctrinal purity and good conduct of the believers on Crete. Again, listing out (like in the Timothies) the requirements for Elders. It is always good to read and re-read what it takes to be an excellent leader in the Christian communities; it challenges us to step up our game. Also remember, that we are all leaders in our own way. We lead, or impact, our children, our friends and co-workers. We are all influencers. 

Blameless is to be the overall characteristic of a leader (which is a tall order!). Paul breaks down this characteristic into three areas, family life in verse 6. (husband of one wife, and children that are believers); personal life in verses 7 and 8 (above reproach, and hospitable, lover of good and self-controlled... to name a few). And doctrinal beliefs in verse 9 (give instruction in sound doctrine). Paul also encourages the leaders to “rebuke”, and later to sharply rebuke. When you break down the word rebuke it means, in such a way as to produce repentance and confession. Which is consistent with what we have learned about Paul and his desire to bring all to Christ and have even the worst of sinners brought back into the fold. “That they may be sound in the faith!” 

The letter to Titus grounds its message of producing right living through the careful attention to theological truth. Paul also encourages Titus to remember that physical objects or external practices do not defile a person, but a mind focused on evil thoroughly corrupts. We should be more concerned about renewing our mind and focusing it on Jesus than observing a list of rules that have no biblical support. So, “to the pure all things are pure”. This is the same principle Jesus taught in Matt 15:11, “it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” Faith and the truth go together - “true faith produces true works”. Paul also understood that when a body of believers embraces sound doctrine, the result is changed and purified lives that produce “good deeds”. God’s grace is the motivation for all good deeds. 

This theme is continued in Chapter 2, Paul exhorted Titus to “speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1), a clear direction that this should be the young pastor’s primary role. And he paints a picture of what this should look like. With older men and women (apparently this happens around 50 is what I am told – so I have a little bit of time 😉) they should serve as an example to all! They need to show maturity, which isn’t about age so much, or even about what you know; but about how skilled you are in applying the truth to life! The older women are to pass on their insight to younger women. So that their actions would glorify God, build His kingdom and strengthen the family. And Young men are to strive to be like the older men.  

In closing, Chuck Swindoll says,” Make doctrine a priority in your own life, as well as encouraging it in your churches. Nothing is more significant than a solid foundation in Christ. Nothing is more motivational than grace to live a life of good deeds.”