Learning on the Way
Sermon Summary
This sermon addresses the difficult questions that arise when we see God’s judgment in Scripture, particularly in Joshua 11:16-23. The pastor confronts the contradiction many people have when they complain about God not dealing with evil in the world, yet become uncomfortable when Scripture shows God actually judging evil. The passage reveals God’s sovereignty in both hardening hearts and bringing judgment, while also showing His faithfulness in fulfilling promises made to Abraham centuries earlier. The sermon emphasizes that God’s hardening always works with what’s already present in rebellious hearts, and that His justice is perfect and complete. Ultimately, the conquest points to the greater rest we find in Christ, our true Joshua.
Key Points
- God has a sovereign plan in history that includes both judgment and salvation
- God’s hardening of hearts works with what’s already present in rebellious hearts
- The Canaanites had centuries to repent but chose continued rebellion
- Complete obedience demands complete conquest over sin in our lives
- God’s perfect justice is thorough and final
- The promised rest achieved in Joshua points to our ultimate rest in Christ
- God’s sovereignty should comfort us because He is in control of history
Small Group Questions
- The sermon mentions how people often complain that God doesn’t deal with evil, but then become uncomfortable when Scripture shows God actually judging evil. Have you ever found yourself in this contradiction? How do you reconcile wanting God to be just while struggling with passages about divine judgment?
- In verse 20, it says “the Lord hardened their hearts.” The sermon explains that God’s hardening works with what’s already present in rebellious hearts. How does this understanding help you process difficult passages about God’s sovereignty? Can you think of examples from your own life where God might use even stubborn hearts to accomplish His purposes?
- The Canaanites had been practicing “child sacrifice, temple prostitution, and all kinds of abominations for centuries” before God brought judgment. How does understanding the historical context of God’s judgment affect your view of His character? What does this teach us about God’s patience and justice?
- The sermon emphasizes that “complete obedience demands complete surrender.” Is there an area in your life where you’re trying to “negotiate with God” – giving up some things but holding onto others? How can this passage challenge you to pursue complete victory over sin?
- Joshua completely destroyed the giants (Anakites) that had previously terrified Israel into unbelief. What “giants” in your own life seem insurmountable? How does Joshua’s complete victory encourage you in facing these challenges?
- The passage ends with “the land had rest from war.” How does this physical rest point to the spiritual rest we can find in Christ? In what ways are you still fighting spiritual battles that Christ has already won?
- The sermon states that our job in evangelism is to “be faithful in sharing” while remembering that “only God can soften a heart.” How should this truth affect the way you approach sharing your faith with others who seem to have hard hearts?
Key Verses
- Joshua 11:20 – “For it was the Lord’s doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, in order that they should be devoted to destruction and should receive no mercy, but be destroyed, just as the Lord commanded Moses.”
- Joshua 11:23 – “So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. And the land had rest from war.”
- Genesis 15:16 – “And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”
Application On The Way
This week, identify one area of your life where you’ve been trying to maintain control instead of trusting God’s sovereignty. Practice surrendering this area to God daily through prayer, reminding yourself that “complete obedience demands complete surrender.” Also, consider someone in your life who seems to have a hard heart toward the gospel, and commit to faithfully praying for them while trusting God’s timing for their potential salvation.
Want to Go Deeper?
Additional Scripture Passages:
- Exodus 4:21; 7:3; 9:12 (God hardening Pharaoh’s heart)
- Romans 9:14-24 (God’s sovereignty in hardening and showing mercy)
- Deuteronomy 7:1-6 (God’s command to destroy the Canaanites)
- Numbers 13:25-14:4 (The Israelite spies’ fear of the giants)
- Hebrews 4:1-11 (The greater rest found in Christ)
- 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 (Learning from Israel’s examples)
- Philippians 1:6 (God completing His good work)
Personal Reflection Questions:
- Read Romans 9:19-24. Paul anticipates the objection “How can God still find fault? For who can resist his will?” How does Paul’s response help you understand the relationship between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility? How does this apply to your own spiritual life?
- Study the contrast between Joshua (meaning “Yahweh saves”) and Jesus (the Greek form of Joshua). Both led God’s people into rest after victory over enemies. How does Joshua’s conquest of the Promised Land point forward to Christ’s victory over sin and death? What does this tell you about finding your ultimate rest in Christ rather than in changed circumstances?