Looking Back to See Ahead
TEXT: Joshua 5:1-12
1 And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.
2 At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.
3 And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.
4 And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.
5 Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised.
6 For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
7 And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way.
8 And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.
9 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.
10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
11 And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.
12 And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
INTRO—Relate the story…especially the timing—after the crossing of Jordan and before the battle…meeting with the Captain of the Lord’s Host
I. They Looked Back at Their POSITION—from Slavery to Freedom
A. From a Curse to a Cross
B. From a Destination in Hell to a Destiny in Heaven
C. From Unforgivable Sin to Inexpressible Forgiveness
D. From a Lost Sinner to a Loved Saint
E. From Eternal Separation to Everlasting Salvation
F. From an Son of Evil to a Child of the King
G. From an Inheritance Lost to a Joint-Heir with Christ
H. From a Sin-Stained Sinner to a Blood-Stained Son
II. They Looked Back at Their PROMISES—from Egypt to the Promised Land
A. From Bondage to Liberty
B. From Oppression to Caresses
C. From Hatred to Love
D. From Broken Promises and Empty Dreams to Promises Fulfilled and Dreams Renewed
III. They Looked Back at Their PROVISION—from Wilderness Food to Canaan Feasting
A. From Manna to Main Courses
B. From Quail to Quality Foods
C. From Leeks and Onions to Milk and Honey
IV. They Looked Back at Their PREPARATION—from Wandering to Conquering
A. From Captives to Conquerors
B. From Slaves to Soldiers
C. From Oppressed to Irrepressible
D. From Victims to Victors
SUMMARY
I. Be Careful in Changing Times to Look Back to See Ahead
A. God’s Prior Blessings
B. God’s Past Benefits
II. Be Careful in Coming Difficulties to Look Back to See Ahead
A. God’s Prior Hand of Provision
B. God’s Past Hand of Protection
III. Be Careful in Crisis Situations to Look Back to See Ahead
A. God’s Prior Preparation
B. God’s Proper Plan
POINT: The Blessings of the Past are Mile Markers for the Future…Reminders of God’s Good Provision for His People.
