Trusting in God for the Impossible

Statement of Intent: I intend to show how this passage directly applies to Christians today and how they can refer to it to help strengthen their faith. I also hope to show that the God of the Old Testament is the same God from the New Testament and is the same today. I plan to show how this passage holds many truths in it that are still clear today.

Introduction: In Joshua chapter 9 Israel entered into a treaty with the Gibeonites under the assumption that they were from a far off place and of no threat. The Gibeonites deceived Joshua and Israel because they were actually neighbors with Israel disguised as foreigners. Joshua made a covenant before the Lord though that Israel would not harm the Gibeonite people. Therefore God made Israel keep their word even though they were deceived. That is the context for our story. Joshua 10:1-14 tells us the story of five Amorite kings making a coalition against Gibeon and attacking it. The Gibeonites ask Joshua to not abandon their servants. After the treaty with the Gibeonites Israel, in return for not killing the Gibeonites for their treachery, made them into servants of Israel. The five kings surrounded Gibeon and as Joshua was marching his army towards Gibeon the Lord God told him to not be afraid. Joshua was faithful to the Gibeonites and trusted in Yahweh so God helped him gain the victory over the five Amorite kings who are Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem, Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon.

Outline of Joshua 10:1-14

1. In life there will be times when God sends us into impossible situations (10:1-5)
A. Gibeon was surrounded and Joshua was going to join them in battle from all sides (10:5)
1. Joshua and Gibeon were outnumbered
2. Joshua and his army were unfamiliar with Gibeon
B. Joshua and his army had a long journey to Gibeon that took all night
1. Gibeon was around 20 miles away from where Joshua was in Gilgal (David Guzik)
2. Gibeon was also 3,300 feet higher in altitude than Gilgal (David Guzik)