Pressing Forward Joshua 10:1-15

10:1 - “As soon as Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem, heard how Joshua had captured Ai and had devoted it to destruction, doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king, and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them,

Joshua 10: :2 - he feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were warriors. 10:3 - So Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, to Piram king of Jarmuth, to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of Eglon, saying,

Joshua 10: :4 - Come up to me and help me, and let us strike Gibeon. For it has made peace with Joshua and with the people of Israel. 10:5 - Then the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered their forces and went up with all their armies and encamped against Gibeon and made war against it.

Joshua 10: :6 - “And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal, saying, Do not relax your hand from your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the hill country are gathered against us.

Joshua 10: :7 -. So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor.” 10:8 - And the L ORD said to Joshua, Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you. 10:9 - So Joshua came upon them suddenly, having marched up all night from Gilgal.

Joshua 10: :10 - And the L ORD threw them into a panic before Israel, who struck them with a great blow at Gibeon and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. 10:11 - And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the L ORD threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.

Joshua 10: :12 - At that time Joshua spoke to the L ORD in the day when the L ORD 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.

Joshua 10: :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.

Joshua 10: :14 - There has been no day like it before or since, when the L ORD heeded the voice of a man, for the L ORD fought for Israel. 10:15 - So Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal.”

Believers press forward in their Christian lives as they face the opposition they encounter. Verses kings and city state alliance against Israel Why did Israel defend and fight for Gibeon? To keep their word Military strategy – can now conquer 5 city states in one battle

Believers press forward in their Christian lives as they face the opposition they encounter. Believers will face difficulties and opposition in their Christian lives. John 15:18 – if the world hated me, they will also hate you John 16:33 – in this world you will have tribulation God uses opposition and difficulties to help believers grow.

Believers press forward in their Christian lives by relying on God’s Presence. Verses 8-10 God’s presence – from God’s promises Joshua 8:1 – promised victory over Ai Joshua 6:2 – promised victory over Jericho Joshua 1:5-9 – promised to be with Joshua and to give the land to Israel God’s presence – from prayer

Believers press forward in their Christian lives by relying on God’s Presence. God’s presence – through God’s providence Verse 9 – God threw them into a panic God struck God chased Hebrews 13:5 – I will never leave you nor forsake you John 14:16 – I will not leave you as orphans Believers are never alone God is always at work in believers’ lives

Believers press forward in their Christian lives by strenuous effort Verse 9 - So Joshua came upon them suddenly, having marched up all night from Gilgal.” Gilgal to Gibeon 25 miles (40 kilometers) Uphill – ascent of 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) Marched all night Fought 2 days Put forth the effort - fight and press forward No easy ways

Believers press forward in their Christian knowing and depending on God’s power. Verses First miracle – the hailstones Timing Only fell on Israel’s enemies Second miracle – the sun stands still Joshua prays, God answers Israel needed more daylight to defeat the five kings – if night came, the enemies would escape

Believers press forward in their Christian knowing and depending on God’s power. God has shown His power throughout history Creating Breathing life into the nostrils of man Daniel in the lion’s den, 3 Hebrew children in the fiery furnace Jesus walking on water Jesus turning water into wine

Believers press forward in their Christian knowing and depending on God’s power. The greatest demonstration of God’s power THE CROSS Forgives sin Removes sin Changes sinners into saints Nothing is too hard for God

Conclusion Press forward Face the opposition Know God’s presence is with you Put forth the effort (God gives you the strength) Know nothing is too big for God Philippians 3:14 – “I press on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”