PRINCIPLES OF CONQUEST
Joshua 6:1-21
This Chapter of Joshua is a prophetic picture of the conquering Christian.
Joshua 6:2 And the LORD said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.
Jericho was the oldest, lowest city, 1300 feet below sea level. A strategic stronghold that needed to be defeated in order to possess the land. What are the strongholds in your life that prevent you from walking in all that Christ has obtained for you?
Deuteronomy 1:28 ‘Where can we go up? Our brethren have discouraged our hearts, saying, “The people are greater and taller than we; the cities are great and fortified up to heaven; moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.” ’
Deuteronomy 1:21-40
Seven Principles that will give us victory in obtaining the inheritance we have in Christ.
HEAR THE PROPHETIC WORD
What is God saying to you? Whose voice do you listen to?
Joshua 6:2 And the LORD said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.
When giving instructions to His servants, Christ told them "take no anxious thought," for He would have their hearts at rest, trusting, in the living God to supply their every need; and also said "Fear not little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:22, 32).
Don’t listen to the enemy. As they walked around the walls there was a mocking demoralizing spirit speaking forth.
Revelation 12:10 ………for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.
LOOK WITH THE EYES OF FAITH
Joshua 6:2 And the LORD said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. "See [take note of, keep steadily in mind, that]
Deuteronomy 1:21 ‘Look, the LORD your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the LORD God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.’
Faith always sees the victory. Doubt always sees the obstacles.
Faith brings a good report. Doubt brings a bad report.
Faith produces a positive attitude and peace. Doubt leads to discontentment and fear which produces a rebellious attitude.
Faith sees with the eyes of God. Doubt sees with the eyes of man.
Don’t let doubters destroy your devotion (even your brothers).
QUIET THE FLESH
Don’t get into dialogue with the enemy.
Exodus 14:14 “The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”
Walk in the Spirit and don’t mutter a word.
Joshua 6:10 Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, “You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, ‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout.”
FOCUS ON THE LORD
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Joshua 6:8-9 So it was, when Joshua had spoken to the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the LORD advanced and blew the trumpets, and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them. The armed men went before the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard came after the ark, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets.
Position yourself according to the word of God knowing that He is in the midst of us.
"The ark" was given the place of honor, being made central in the order of the procession. First were to precede the "men of war," then came the ark with seven priests in front of it with "trumpets of rams’ horns," and behind it came all the body of the people. The ark was the recognized symbol of Jehovah’s presence, and its being carried before the congregation was to intimate the victory was from Him.
WALK IN OBEDIANCE
Colossians 2:6, Christians are exhorted "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk you in Him."
To "walk with God" is only possible unto one who has been reconciled to Him, for "Can two walk together except they are agreed?" (Amos 3:2). Thus it is expressive of Holy Communion with God.
To walk "after the Lord" is to live in complete subjection to His revealed will: "And the king stood in his place and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep His commandments, and His testimonies, and His statutes, with all his heart and with all his soul" (2 Chron. 34:31).
To "walk in Christ" is expressive of union, like a branch in the vine, and signifies to live by His enablement, strengthened by Him, "rooted and built up in Him" as Colossians 2:27, explains it.
ANTICIPATE THE VICTORY
Under pressure give a clear sound. On the seventh day, according to the timing of the Lord, would the walls fall down.
When the Lord says shout, shout, but what do we shout?
Psalm 47:1 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. Psalm 47:3 He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. Ephes. 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
RECEIVE THE PROMISE
Joshua 6:15,16 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.
7th day, 7 times, 7 Priests, 7 Trumpets, 7 Blasts. The number 7 is predominant in this last day of walking around the city and the events leading up to the walls of Jericho falling down. What can we learn from this?
Israel entered the Promised Land after 41 years, it took 7 years to subdue the land, there were 7 nations that needed to be subdued. God is giving a prophetic picture to the people of God. Jesus is our Jubilee. Picture another prophetic event of Revelation. The mention of 7,s.
After 7 Sabbaths in the land (49 years) the following year was a jubilee year. 7 = divine perfection, fullness, the number of God given covenant, rest, completeness.
Jubilee = 50 = deliverance, freedom, liberty, Pentecost, rejoicing, Holy Spirit.
Joshua 6:13 And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rearward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
shophar, sho-far’; in the original sense of incising; a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn :- cornet, trumpet.
Rams horns = yobel, the blast of a horn (from its continuous sound); specifically the signal of the silver trumpets; hence the instrument itself and the festival thus introduced: - jubilee, ram’s horn, trumpet.
Trumpets speak of or symbolize revelation. When we speak or shout we need to send a clear sound, no mixture, the sound of the Gospel declaration to the powers and principalities of Ephesians 6.
Leviticus 25:9, 10 Then shall you cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the Day of Atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.
Luke 4:18, 19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
