Sermon Tone Analysis

5:10 - 15 Now that we are rolling..

So now that they are rolling along in the spirit filled life, what’s next?

Vs 10 - 15 paints and interesting picture.

It says they celebrated the Passover right there on the plains of Jericho.

You see they did not celebrate Passover on the wilderness.

This would be the first time in 40 years.

We are not told why but we can draw out some Spiritual lessons.

Once we have dealt with the flesh (circumcision of the heart) we have a new desire to meet the Lord through communion.

When we are in the wilderness we run from fellowship and communion.

“you prepare a table before me in the presence of me enemies” In the midst of serious issues, enemies and “giants” Jesus restores us.

They ate of the produce (fruit) of the PL that same day.

For us we in full fellowship with the Spirit enjoy the “friut’ of the spirit “Love” which is manifested by Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Self Control and so on.

Vs 12 some interesting happens.

The manna ceases.

In some ways this seems the opposite of what we might think.

Wouldn’t the miraculous increase as we move into the PL?

While in the wilderness the Jews saw the miraculous daily but what we learn is that signs and wonders and the miraculous do not produce faith.

They produce a desire to see more miracles.

God desires that we would grow in faith and the fruit of His Spirit which is Love.

See

A meeting with the Captain of our souls

Vs 13 - 15 Notice a key phase - “lifted his eyes and looked” it usually indicates that a “crossroads” or “big decision” is in presenting itself.

Many many examples

And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the LORD stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem.

Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.

What or who does Joshua see?

A warrior.

It is interesting that God reveals himself in a relate-able form.

To Joshua a Military General God reveals Himself as a Warrior.

To Moses a sheperd, he is a burning bush, to Abraham a pilgrim He is a Sojourner.

It does not seem that Joshua knows who He is.

Joshua say who’s side are you on? and he gets an ambiguous answer.

The Man says, No.

He is the Commander of the Armies of Yahweh.

Aside: Who are the armies of Yahweh?

It seems Joshua has asked the wrong question.

It not is God on our side, but are we on His side.

There is some controversy about exactly who this is.

Some say an Angel like Michael.

But notice that this Man allows Joshua to worship Him.

Angels do not allow themselves to be worshiped.

See

This Warrior is what we call a Theophany or Christophany and that is a an OT physical manifestation of Yahweh.

Q- Think of some examples of Theophanys?

Abrahams visitors, Jacobs wrestler, Moses burning bush, etc.

When the Man tells Joshua to remove his sandal it should remind us of someone else.

Moses.

Remember, the Lord to Joshua he would exalt him like Moses and this is another fulfillment of that.

Next week we go to Jericho...