God is a mighty Warrior – Josh.8-12; Ps.24:8 When facing Josh.8-12 we must not:- a. Avoid hard passages - in practise cut them out - in practise cut them out - see different Gods in the O.T. & N.T. - see different Gods in the O.T. & N.T. - blame Israel - blame Israel b. Copy Israel – this conquest is unique c. Domesticate God – as a mighty warrior he 1. Carries out his plans 1. Carries out his plans 2. Judges rebels who oppose his plans 2. Judges rebels who oppose his plans

1. God is a Warrior a. It is God’s fight 1. He gives victory – 8:1; 9:9,10; 10:8,10,11,14; 11:6,8 1. He gives victory – 8:1; 9:9,10; 10:8,10,11,14; 11:6,8 2. He gives instructions – 8:2; 11:6,15 2. He gives instructions – 8:2; 11:6,15 3. He has all the resources – 10:10,11,13,14; 11:4,5,21,22 cf. Num.13:33 3. He has all the resources – 10:10,11,13,14; 11:4,5,21,22 cf. Num.13:33

God is a Warrior b. God’s people fight God triumphed through his people – ch.8; 10:9,30,32,35,37,39,40,42 We must never separate:- 1. Trusting God – the Bible & Prayer 1. Trusting God – the Bible & Prayer Cf. 9:14 & 10:12,13 2. Working out a strategy – 10:9 2. Working out a strategy – 10:9

God is a Warrior c. We are in a spiritual battle – a battle for hearts & minds:- 1. The battle is with Satan – Eph.6:12 1. The battle is with Satan – Eph.6:12 2. Our weapons are spiritual - 2Cor.10:4,5 2. Our weapons are spiritual - 2Cor.10:4,5 a. God’s Word/the Gospel – Eph.6:17 a. God’s Word/the Gospel – Eph.6:17 b. Prayer – Eph.6:18 b. Prayer – Eph.6:18

2. God is the Judge a. The judgment is terrible – 10:28-40 b. The sin is terrible – Dt.9:4,5 1. Perverse sexual practise – Lev.18:24,25 1. Perverse sexual practise – Lev.18:24,25 2. Child sacrifice – Dt.12:31 2. Child sacrifice – Dt.12:31 3. Idolatry – Dt.12: Idolatry – Dt.12:1-4 God is patient – Gen.15:16; 2Pet.3:9 Israel is warned & judged – Dt.7:1-4; 12:29-31; 2Kings 16:3; 23:10; ch.25 c. Judgment cleanses the land –cf. New Creation

d. The Cross – the full display of God’s judgment At the Cross we see most clearly:- 1. The awful nature of sin 2. The horrific reality of judgment 3. The incredible act of God as he bears our judgment Only 2 responses to the Cross:- a. Humble repentance & faith cf. Rahab b. Stubborn rejection of God’s mercy & bearing God’s judgment myself Judgment - God’s reluctant work – Gen.6:6;Lk.19:41

3. God’s gracious & faithful work a. The generosity of God – 8:2,27; 11:14 b. The faithfulness of God – Shechem – a place of promise – Gen12:6,7; 33:18-20; Josh.8:30-35; 11:23; ch.12; 21:45; 23:14 c. The response of God’s people – 8: Obedience brings blessing – ch.8 1. Obedience brings blessing – ch.8 2. Disobedience – judgment – ch.7 cf. Dt.11:26- 32; ch.27,28(27:12,13); 30: Disobedience – judgment – ch.7 cf. Dt.11:26- 32; ch.27,28(27:12,13); 30:15-20 Obedience does not earn salvation, it is a response to salvation