Joshua 7 saw defeat and discouragement. By the end of Joshua 8, we have victory and rejoicing. Joshua 7 saw God's wrath against his people. In Joshua 8, God's wrath is on the rebellious people of Ai. There is a change in Joshua 8. We start out with God's word of restoration: "Fear not..." This hearkens back to the words of Joshua 1:8. The word of the Lord can lift our despondent spirits. God expects courage and confidence. Courage and confidence lead us to activity. This chapter stands as a lesson on how to come out of fear and dismay and be restored to service to God. Sin does not have to be the end of your service. We ought to have desires as a church. We want to see walls come crumbling down. In this passage, we find principles for restoration
1. Repent and remove sin Useful service does not come till you deal with sin 2. Remember the promises and purposes of God God repeats the promise in Joshua 8:1 (I have given...). It sits in context of purpose. God had a purpose that they would take the land. God gives promises in light of his purposes. God's promises are given so His purposes are accomplished. 3. Reflect on God's disposition to us Joshua 8:2 says "And ye shall take..." What if Achan had waited? It is a reminder that we need to have a right view of God. God is not miserly. He is disposed to be gracious toward us. 4. Resolve to live under authority of God Joshua arose (Joshua 8:3) The doer of the word shall be blessed (James 1:25). 5. Be responsible to take measures to see goals achieved God told Joshua to lay an ambush. Joshua used his God-given reason to work out how to exactly do that (Joshua 8:3) and he was blessed by the sovereign hand of God
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