Forward
Week 3: From Victory to Defeat…and Back to Victory

(Exodus 33:18 ESV) 18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.”

In God’s answer to this prayer of Moses we see that the glory of God is the manifested presence,  power, and goodness of God.

33.19  “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you…” —His goodness

34:10 “Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the Lord, will do for you.” —His power

33:14—“My presence will go with you.” —His presence

Joshua had developed a strong faith in all three aspects of God’s glory:

1.  Joshua believed in the of God, and that God was willing to release his power on behalf of his people.

(Joshua 10:12–13 ESV) At that time Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, “Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.” 13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day.

2. Joshua believed that God was and always keeps his promises.

(Joshua 1:6 NIV84) “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.

3. Joshua believe that God’s would always be with him.

(Joshua 1:5 NIV84) No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.(MULTILINE)

Achan’s part in the defeat…

1. He saw, was tempted, and to that temptation.

(Joshua 7:21 ESV) When I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”

(James 1:14–15 ESV) But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

When there is hidden or undealt with sin, something or someone in your life is dying.

2.  He the thing he desired.

(Isaiah 5:20 ESV) Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

3. He thought he could his sin.

(Numbers 32:23 ESV) But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.

(Luke 12:2–3 NIV84) There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.(MULTILINE)

Joshua’s part in the defeat…

1. He walked by sight, not by faith.

2. He failed to consult God in prayer.

3. He allowed victory to increase self-confidence instead of God-confidence.(MULTILINE)

But God…

(Hosea 2:15 NIV84) There I will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.

(Joshua 8:1 NIV84) Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land.

1. The answer to discouragement and fear is in returning to, believing, and obeying God’s Word.

(Joshua 1:8 ESV) This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

2.  Seek God’s will for each undertaking. Don’t depend on past victories as you plan for the future.

(Proverbs 3:5–6 NIV84) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (how Jericho went down); 6 in all your ways (as in with Ai) acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

3. Build an “altar” and recommit.(MULTILINE)

(Joshua 8:30 NIV84) Then Joshua built on Mount Ebal an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel…