The Conquering King

The Bible contains 66 books but has a single theme: Christ who is the conquering king. He revealed himself to be that king when he came and will return as the same. Joshua 10 teaches that God is a man of war. The modern reader dislikes how God is presented in OT but He is the same as the Jesus of the NT. There is defeat of the enemy seen here but not yet conquest much like we experience in our lives. What we do see in Joshua 10 is that the Lord fought for Israel

Overview

1. context (10:1-2)
   Israel has Ai, Jericho and a league with Gibeon. They hold a central part of the land and the kings of the land are fearful

2. confederacy (10:3-5)
   One purpose was to overthrow the people of Israel.

3. concern of the Gibeonites (10:6-7)
   they are in trouble and seek help

4. comfort (10:8)
   Fear them not. The people of God need to realize God is on their side. Comfort comes from God's word.

5. conflict (10:9-15)
   speed: promises lead to activity
   strategy
   sword: God comes in judgment and panic sets in
   slaughter
   stones: shows God takes sin seriously
   supplication
   sun: God's sovereign power is at work

6. continuation (10:16-39)
   symbolic prison
   successive victories

7. conclusion (10:40-43)
   a remarkable conquest

Application

1. God works in almighty power to execute his eternal purposes
2. God shows himself strong on behalf of his people
   he works miraculously
   he works mediately (meaning He works through his Son and his people)
3. There is a warning to those that are in the camp of the Amorites
   judgment is coming
   come over to the camp of the Israelites