Sermon Notes - Joshua 5 - Littleby Baptist - September 7, 2025

1.        Joshua chapters 3 and 4 are intertwined.

a.        Chapter 3 in some ways is an overview.

b.       Chapter 4 brings a few of the events of chapter 3 to life.

2.        The 12 men chosen in chapter 3 take action in chapter 4.

a.        They grab twelve stones from where the priests were standing in the middle of the Jordan River.

b.       They lift those stones on their shoulders.

c.        To build a memorial for the miracle that God is performing that day.

d.       The miracle that has allowed the Israelites to cross the Jordan river.

e.        Man, woman, child, and animals.

f.          A miracle that they are to share with the future generations.

g.        A memorial that is to be built as a reminder.

h.        So that those who were not there to witness that miraculous event have something to point to.

i.          A symbol of God fulfilling His promise to the people.

3.        Similar to the cross that we have in the corner here or that some wear.

a.        It is a symbol that helps us to remember the gift that our Lord has given us.

b.       A symbol that helps us to remember the sacrifice that He made for us.

4.        The last verse of chapter 4 is one of the key messages of why God has been at work in the lives of the Israelite people.

a.        Joshua 4:24

b.       God is paving the way for the people of the world to know that He is God.

c.        That we would recognize His majesty.

d.       That we would honor Him.

e.        Accept the amazing gift of redemption that he is offering.

f.          That we would want to spend forever with Him.

g.        That we would want to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

h.        Repenting of our sins.

i.          And giving our lives to Him.

j.          So that we could be redeemed.

5.        God wants to know us.

6.        All the miracles that we have recorded in the Bible are so that we would wake up and pay attention.

a.        So that we would listen to His message.

7.        Let’s see what His message has for us today.

8.        Joshua 5:1

a.        The message we heard from Rahab about the people.

b.       The message that the spies carried back to Joshua.

c.        The fact that God was at work in these people even before He dried up the river.

d.       Now this miracle sealed the deal.

e.        It was no longer something that happened way back in the past.

f.          Or something that happened to the other people.

g.        It was right here.

h.        Right now.

i.          God is at work.

9.        Joshua 5:2-3

a.        Circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and the Israelites.

b.       Yet, we see here not everyone was circumcised.

c.        Even without this sign, God has done so much for them.

d.       But before they continued.

e.        Before they received the gift, He was about to give them.

f.          They needed to be right with Him.

10.   Like we need to be right with Jesus before we can receive the gift of Salvation.

a.        It is through our repentance.

b.       Through our belief in Jesus being God.

c.        That He died on that cross to pay for our sins.

d.       That He defeated death.

e.        That we are saved from the horrible eternity that we deserve.

f.          That we receive the amazing gift of grace that He is offering.

11.   Joshua 5:4-7

a.        Those that sinned against God were not going into the promised land.

b.       They wandered the wilderness until none of them remained.

c.        In the meantime, none of the next generation were circumcised.

d.       Does not tell us why they were not.

e.        Might have been something that God let go since they were traveling as much as they were.

f.          Might have had to do with how they did not listed to God.

g.        But something had to change before they proceeded.

h.        They must be right with God to receive His blessing.

12.   Joshua 5:8

a.        A time of rest was needed.

13.   Joshua 5:9

a.        Up until now, the people had carried a chain in a way.

b.       A link to Egypt.

c.        Some from the previous generation had wondered if they should go back when things got tough.

d.       With the people now crossing the Jordan.

e.        With the circumcision being complete.

f.          With them now caring the mark of their covenant with God.

g.        That bondage.

h.        That shame.

i.          Is gone.

j.          They have been set free from their past.

14.   Hopefully you are connecting the dots here.

a.        As we give our lives to Christ.

b.       The bondage of our past.

c.        That we have carried for all our lives.

d.       Whether it has been a handful of years or decades.

e.        That bondage is broken.

f.          The chains that hold us down are released.

g.        The shame is replaced with grace.

h.        We are set free from our past.

i.          Through the gift that Jesus is offering.

j.          The gift that is given to all who confess and believe.

15.   Joshua 5:10

a.        God’s timing is perfect.

b.       This is only the 3^rd Passover the people have celebrated.

c.        The first is the one in Egypt when God delivered them from oppression.

d.       The one with the plague of the death of the first born.

e.        The second was just before they were supposed to go into the promised land 40 years earlier.

f.          Then this one.

g.        Right on time.

h.        The exact time that God had told them to celebrate it.

i.          On the 14^th day of the first month.

j.          After all the guys had been circumcised.

k.        On the promised land side of the Jordan.

l.          Shortly after all those who had rejected God had passed.

m.     Just before God is going to hand them the first peace of the promised land.

n.        God’s timing is perfect.

16.   We do not always understand it.

a.        We like to make things happen in our own way and in our own time.

b.       But who could have coordinated a 40-year adventure with all of these things happening to the day?

c.        Only God.

d.       A great example for us to remember to trust in Him.

e.        Not in our abilities, or our technology, or anything else.

f.          We could not have mapped out that journey.

g.        With all of the different events and challenges.

h.        And arrived on time.

i.          Only God’s timing is perfect.

17.   Joshua 5:11-12

a.        They just celebrated the Passover, remembering God’s deliverance.

b.       They just crossed the Jordan.

c.        They are enjoying the fruit of the land around them.

d.       Now the manna is gone.

18.   God provided.

a.        He built up their faith.

b.       He is continuing to provide.

c.        Just in a different way.

19.   Sometimes we have to remember that God works differently than we might expect.

a.        Frequently differently than we might like.

b.       Either way we need to trust in Him.

c.        Hebrews 12:2

d.       We need to keep our eyes on Jesus always.

e.        He does more than save us from our sins.

f.          He grows our faith.

g.        He helps us even when we do not realize it.

20.   God helped the Israelites during the wilderness and even across the Jordan with an obvious food source.

a.        He built up their faith.

b.       And will continue to build their faith in different ways.

21.   Joshua 5:13-15

a.        Joshua sees someone standing there.

b.       He is not sure who it is.

c.        But there are a few things that help us to understand who it is that Joshua is talking to.

d.       Commander of the Lord’s Army… is a bit of a grey area.

e.        Could be Jesus, could be an angel.

f.          When Joshua bows, an angel would have told him to stand up.

g.        This person does not.

h.        The commander of the Lord’s army told Joshua to remove sandals as he was on holy ground.

i.          Same as Moses was at the burning bush.

j.          Then if we jump to Chapter 6:2, The Lord said to Joshua.

k.        The ‘Lord’ is in all caps, that is the God Almighty.

l.          Joshua is talking to God.

m.     He is talking to a preincarnate of Jesus Christ.

22.   God is there with Joshua.

a.        His sword is drawn.

b.       He is ready for war.

c.        But at this point that is all we know.

d.       We will see how the conversation goes next week.

23.   What we have seen is God at work.

a.        As the people crossed the Jordan.

b.       The Canaanites and others lost heart.

c.        They knew their days were numbered.

24.   God works in all people.

a.        Not just those that believe.

b.       He works in all of us.

c.        Which is why we need to continue to be faithful witnesses to those in our lives.

d.       You never know when your words will be received.

25.   There are two other things to remember.

a.        God’s timing is perfect.

b.       And, He can set you free from your past.

c.        The things that have held you back don’t need to tie you down.

d.       God can and will set you free from those things if you turn to Him.

e.        It is not always easy, but He can and will free you from that bondage, addiction, and pain.

f.          It may not happen the instant you want, but it will happen in God’s timing.

g.        Trust in God to grow your faith.

h.        He is the author and perfector of our faith.

i.          He knows what we need and when we need it.

j.          Which is why we need to trust in Him.

k.        Easier said than done.

l.          But when we can trust in Him, the results are life changing.

26.   If you do not know Jesus this morning.

a.        Please know, He is ready to help you.

b.       He is offering you a gift.

c.        A gift of grace.

d.       One that sets you free from your sin.

e.        Sin that He has already paid the price for.

f.          All you have to do is repent and believe.

g.        If that is you, I would love to talk to you.

27.   For the rest of us, if there is a need.

a.        A calling you are questioning.

b.       Wondering what is next.

c.        Wanting to get involved.

d.       Or become a member of the church.

e.        Please know I would love to talk to you.