Page 1 Third Presbyterian Church Tuesday Bible Study Old Testament Tour - Joshua Lesson 38 Fall of Jericho Joshua 6:1-20 (NIV) 1 Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. 2 Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in." 6 So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, "Take up the ark of the covenant of the LORD and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it." 7 And he ordered the people, "Advance! March around the city, with the armed guard going ahead of the ark of the LORD." 8 When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the LORD went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the LORD's covenant followed them. 9 The armed guard marched ahead of the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the ark. All this time the trumpets were sounding. 10 But Joshua had commanded the people, "Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!" 11 So he had the ark of the LORD carried around the city, circling it once. Then the people returned to camp and spent the night there. 12 Joshua got up early the next morning and the priests took up the ark of the LORD. 13 The seven priests carrying the seven trumpets went forward, marching before the ark of the LORD and blowing the trumpets. The armed men went ahead of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the LORD, while the trumpets kept sounding. 14 So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days. 15 On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. 16 The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the people, "Shout! For the LORD has given you the city! 17 The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. 18 But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. 19 All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the LORD and must go into his treasury." 20 When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city. QUESTIONS 1. How do you imagine Joshua felt explaining to the Israelites the battle plans of trumpets for their war against Jericho? 2. What unusual thing has God required of you to test your obedience to His will for you? 3. How do you feel when God tells you to do something that you don t think your friends will understand or approve of? 4. Read vs. 17. Two weeks ago we talked about Rahab and she was promised that all in her house would be saved when the walls were destroyed and that came to pass. What does this verse say about the faithfulness of God to the promises that come from obedience? 5. God instructed them to keep away from the devoted things in vs 18-19. This verse speaks plainly about when God gives victory that comes with a financial increase that we are to be faithful to the treasury of the Lord. The devoted things would be our tithe. Speak to the reality of people getting raises/higher paying jobs and keeping the devoted things of God. Why do they do that, and what is going saying specifically in this verse when we do such a thing? 6. What does it mean to you to be devoted to the Lord? What does this story teach us about the type of person God uses to accomplish His plans? What concrete action can you take to arm yourself against a temptation you expect to face in the next week? 7. What is one change you can make in your life this week to move closer to being completely devoted to the Lord?
A. The Fall of Jericho: Victory through Faith How a Person Can Conquer, Be Victorious throughout Life, Page 2 Introduction: sharp, intelligent, well-thought-out strategy is an absolute essential in warfare. No significant victory can be won without a well-planned military strategy. Strategy in military conflicts is so important that most nations have established military academies to train their officers how to lay strategic plans and carry out orders during military campaigns. The strategy to conquer the city of Jericho was unique. It was unique in two ways: the strategy was laid out by God Himself, and the strategy was a seemingly foolish plan. The expositor John Huffman quotes one of the comedy routines that Bill Cosby, the comedian, follows in discussing the battle of Jericho. The routine is worth quoting to show the seemingly foolish strategy: "Okay, Joshua, let me be sure that I've got this straight. You say that for six days we'll walk around the city of Jericho carrying the ark of the covenant, saying absolutely nothing, with seven of our priests blowing the ram's horn trumpets? Then on the seventh day we walk around seven times silently? Then all at once, when the trumpets start blowing, we all start shouting, and those double walls are going to fall down? Come on, Joshua, that doesn't really make a whole lot of sense." The military strategy laid out by the Lord actually did not make much sense. Nevertheless, Joshua believed God. He believed that God would perform a miracle and give victory over the great city of Jericho, give victory if he did one simple thing: obeyed God. Victory over Jericho was to demonstrate one great truth for all of history: faith in God is the most powerful force in all the world. A person conquers and is victorious over all the enemies of life only if he believes and trusts God. Victory is achieved through faith. The walls of Jericho came tumbling down, collapsed because the Israelites believed God and trusted His Word. The enemies of this world are constantly out to overthrow us, to defeat and destroy us, enemies such as: the carnal and flesh the lustful and immoral the worldly and sinful the evil and wicked the greedy and covetous the selfish and egotistical the blinded and deceived the lawless and violent the abusive and hostile the oppressive and vengeful The list of enemies that stand opposed to believers and to the peace-loving people of this earth are innumerable. The world is in constant warfare between nations, between neighbors, and even between family members. There are enemies within this world spiritual forces, principalities, and powers in the high places of the spiritual world that oppose mankind, that are attempting to defeat and destroy us. But there is hope! Hope in God! And that hope comes by faith in God. God will give the power to conquer all the enemies of this life if we will believe and trust Him. Faith in God is the victory that overcomes this world. Faith is the victory that conquers all the enemies that assault us. Faith in God is the strong lesson of this great passage of Scripture: The Fall of Jericho: Victory through Faith How a Person Can Conquer, Be Victorious throughout Life, 6:1-27. 1. (6:1-5) Word of God, Faith of Faith, in God's Word Enemies, How to Conquer Victorious Life, How to Achieve: How can a person conquer, be victorious throughout life? How was victory over the enemy achieved? By faith, a faith that believes God's Word, His instructions.
Page 3 1. The city of Jericho seemed impregnable, impossible to conquer. The gates of the city had been tightly shut; no one went out and no one came in. This was the first fortified city encountered by the Israelites within enemy territory. Remember, they had been a desert people wandering about in the wilderness for over forty years. They were simply not equipped to attack a walled city, not in the eyes of the world. In fact, it had been the fortified cities that had discouraged the first generation of Israelites from entering the Promised Land (Numbers 13:28). Jericho was a fortified city with either double walls or else walls that were about twenty feet thick and twenty-five feet high. Standing on top of the walls, soldiers could see for miles around. Jericho was strategically located as a fortress to guard against invading armies coming across the Jordan River into the hill country of the Canaanites. The city was considered a mighty fortress, impenetrable, invincible, impossible to conquer. Jericho stood as a picture of power, the enormous strength of the enemy that God's people confronted as they sought to conquer the promised land of God. There were at least five ways to conquer a walled city in that day and time: by scaling the wall using ladders or ramps by digging tunnels underneath the walls by using battering rams to break open the city gates or else to smash a hole in the walls of the city by laying siege to the city until the people were starved into surrender by using some means of deception such as a truce or ambush From the human perspective, the situation for Israel seemed hopeless. They were not skilled in modern warfare: they had never used ladders to scale the walls of the enemy nor battering rams to break open the city gates. They had never built ramps nor moved ramps up to the city walls under the fire of arrows and other weapons. The conquest of the enemy just seemed impossible. But note: there is no indication in Scripture whatsoever that the Israelites were gripped by doubt or fear. Confidence trust in God was reigning supreme in their hearts. They had complete confidence that God was going to give them victory over the enemy who was trying to keep them out of the promised land. 2. The commander of the Lord's army, the Lord Himself, encouraged and gave clear instructions to Joshua (Joshua 6:2-5). Remember, the commander of the Lord's army had just appeared to Joshua (Joshua 5:13-15). Joshua needed encouragement, and he needed to know how to attack the city. Therefore, the Lord had appeared to him and identified Himself as the commander of the Lord's army. Note the instructions: a. Joshua was to know that victory was guaranteed by the Lord Himself (Joshua 6:2). No matter how impregnable or invincible the enemy seemed to be, victory was assured. In fact, God had already delivered Jericho into the hands of His people. The enemy would be conquered by God's people. b. Joshua was to have all the soldiers march around the city once a day for six days. c. He was to have seven priests march in front of the Ark, each carrying a trumpet made of rams' horns (Joshua 6:4).
Page 4 d.on the seventh day, the army was to march seven times around the city with the trumpets blowing (Joshua 6:4). e. After marching around the city seven times on the seventh day, all the people were to give a loud shout when they heard a long blast from the trumpets (Joshua 6:5). The walls of the city would then collapse. f. When the walls of the city collapsed, the soldiers were to charge straight into the city and conquer the enemy (Joshua 6:5). Thought 1. Militarily, this would seem to be a foolish strategy in the eyes of the world. Nevertheless, it was the strategy laid out by God for His people. If the Israelites believed God's Word, they would conquer the enemy; however, if they rejected God's Word or refused to act upon it, they would lose the battle and be defeated by the enemy. Jericho is a picture of the seemingly impregnable, invincible enemies that often confront us as we walk throughout life. As believers, we are seeking to lay hold of the promised land, the great inheritance God has promised us. But as we seek our inheritance, strong, powerful enemies confront us, enemies such as the world, the flesh, and the devil himself. Remember that the victory has already been won by Jesus Christ. The world, the flesh, and the devil have already been conquered by Him. Note what Scripture says: There is only one way to conquer the world: by believing God's Word. When God tells us how to conquer the world, we must listen to what He says. There is only one way to conquer the flesh: by believing God's Word. When God tells us how to conquer the flesh, we must listen to what God says. There is only one way to conquer the devil: by believing God's Word. When God tells us how to conquer the devil, we must listen to what God says. Thought 2. The victorious life conquering the enemies that try to keep us out of the promised land comes through faith, a faith that believes God's Word. Always remember this fact: the believer who conquers throughout life is the person who reads and studies God's Holy Word. It is that person who knows the promises of God. The promises of God live in his heart and life. And because the promises are living within him, he is able to cling to them, conquering all the enemies that attempt to destroy him. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). a) Christ has conquered the world for the believer. Our task is now to claim the victory of Christ through faith. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
Page 5 "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God" (1 John 5:4-5). b) Jesus Christ has conquered the flesh with all its lusts. This He did on our behalf. "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin... For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God" (Romans 6:6, 10-13). "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh" (Romans 8:3). c) Jesus Christ has conquered Satan, the devil. "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me" (John 12:31-32). "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me" (John 14:30). "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Hebrews 2:14-15). "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8). 2. (2:6-11) Obedience Faith, Duty Ark, of the Covenant Conquest, of Enemies: How can a person conquer, be victorious throughout life? How was victory over the enemy achieved? By faith, a faith that obeyed God. The commander Joshua had received his orders from the Commander in Chief, the Lord Himself. The strategy of attack was a most unusual strategy, a seemingly foolish strategy. It was not the strategy that would be taught by a military academy. It was not the strategy that would be pursued by the average military commander. By far, most commanders would consider the strategy to be irrational, even foolish. Nevertheless, it was the strategy laid out by the Commander in Chief, the Lord Himself. The only question was, would Joshua obey the command, and would the officers obey Joshua? Faith in God's Word was essential, and Joshua and the officers would prove their faith by what they did, prove their faith by obedience. 1. Joshua obeyed God (Joshua 6:6-7). He commanded the priest to take up the Ark, and he assigned seven priests to march in front with seven trumpets. He then issued a strong command to the soldiers: Advance! March around the city, with the armed guard marching in front of the Ark. Note the emphasis upon the Ark, the symbol of God's presence and guidance. The Ark is mentioned five times in these six verses, and three more times in verses twelve through fifteen for a total of eight times. God's presence and guidance in the
Page 6 conquest of Jericho are stressed throughout the passage. Victory was to be achieved through the presence and guidance of the Lord and through His presence and guidance alone. If Joshua and the people obeyed the Lord, they would conquer their enemies. But if they did not obey, then they would be defeated and driven out of the promised land. 2. The priests and soldiers obeyed Joshua (Joshua 6:8-11). They did exactly what they were commanded: the seven priests with the seven trumpets marched forward, blowing their trumpets. They marched before the Ark, the symbol of the Lord's presence, and the Ark followed behind them (Joshua 6:8). The front guard marched ahead of the priest, and the rear guard marched behind the Ark. All the while, the trumpets were constantly blowing (Joshua 6:9). Note the unusual command of silence that was obeyed (Joshua 6:10). There was to be no war cry, talk, or word spoken. There was to be only silence, and then a shout when commanded by Joshua. And the shout was not to be given until the very last day, after marching around the city on the seventh day. The Ark and soldiers were marched around the city only once. Then they returned to camp (Joshua 6:11). The point to note is the obedience of Joshua, the priests and the soldiers. Despite this seemingly foolish strategy, they did exactly what God commanded. They obeyed the Lord. Thought 1. Faith without works is dead. It is not enough to say, "I believe God," and then live like we want. If we truly believe God, we obey God. Our faith is put to work. We do exactly what God says. We keep His commandments. Joshua and the Israelites had true faith; therefore, they obeyed God. They carried out the command of God and the conquest of Jericho. Consequently, God gave them victory over the enemy that was trying to keep them out of the promised land. So it is with us: if we have true faith, we obey God, and God gives us victory over the enemies that confront us throughout life. Obedience is the clear evidence of faith. If people see us obeying God, they know that we truly believe in God. We can conquer and be victorious through life by faith, a faith that obeys God. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him" (John 14:21). "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love" (John 15:10). 3. (6:12-16) Faith, Duty Perseverance, Duty Steadfastness, Duty Endurance, Duty Patience, Duty Faith, Persevering to the End: How can a person conquer, be victorious throughout life? By faith in God. By having a faith that is patient, that endures to the end. Just how many battalions of soldiers were marching around Jericho is not stated. The army of the Israelites numbered over six hundred thousand (Numbers 26:51). Most likely, all the battalions of soldiers were not needed. Whatever the case, division after division had already marched around the city on the first day. They had marched in total silence, not saying a single word. Only the trumpets blew as they marched. Once the march had ended, they had all
Page 7 returned to camp without launching a single assault against the city walls. Now, note what happened over the next six days. 1. On the second day, Joshua and the army arose early to repeat their march around Jericho (Joshua 6:12-14). The Ark was taken up and the seven priests marched before the Ark, blowing the trumpets. The front guard marched ahead and the rear guard marched behind the Ark. All this time the trumpets kept blowing. Note that the army again marched around the city only once, and then returned back to camp. 2. On all six days, the army patiently obeyed this seemingly foolish military strategy (Joshua 6:14). They arose early and marched with the soldiers, marching before and after the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark, the symbol of the Lord's presence, was made the focus of their march, the very focus of the army itself. The front guard marched ahead and the rear guard marched behind, and all the time the trumpets kept blowing. This was the strategy that was followed on the first day the second day the third day the fourth day the fifth day the sixth day. Not a single attack was launched against the city. For six long days, all the army did was march around the city following this seemingly foolish strategy. Just think how much patience and endurance were needed. Imagine how in most armies complaints and grumblings would begin to arise. But the army of God stayed the course. They were patient day after day, enduring to the very end, obeying and doing exactly what God had commanded. The army possessed the faith of perseverance, a faith that would do exactly what God commanded, a faith that knew God would give the victory if He was just obeyed. 3. On the seventh day, all the soldiers again arose at daybreak (Joshua 6:15-16). The army repeated its march around the city, but this time they had orders to continue marching. They were to circle the city seven complete times. Note that everyone patiently obeyed the strategy. Then it happened: the seventh time around, the priests sounded the trumpet blast and Joshua gave the command to the soldiers: "Shout! For the Lord has given you the city!" Victory was to be now! Thought 1. How can a person be victorious in life? By faith in God. By possessing a faith that is patient, that endures to the end. For six long days, the Israelites followed the same seemingly foolish strategy: they arose early and marched around the city in stone silence with only the trumpets blowing. They marched day after day, and then on the seventh day they circled the city seven times. Think of the patience needed by soldiers under such orders: a patience that trusted their commander, a patience that would endure to the end without grumbling and murmuring. So it is to be with us before the Lord and His commands: we are to believe the Lord and keep His Holy commandments, enduring to the end. We must never give up our faith. Victory will be ours if we will persevere, endure, obey God to the very end. No matter how great the struggle, no matter how large or strong the enemy, no matter how long the attack if we will persevere, endure to the end, God will give us the victory. This is the strong exhortation and promise of Holy Scripture: "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 10:22). "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love" (John 15:9). "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58).
Page 8 4. (6:17-19) Faith, Duty Judgment, Duty Purity, Duty Cleanness, Duty Spiritual Separation, Duty: How can a person conquer, be victorious throughout life? By faith in God. By possessing a faith that understands the judgment of God and the utter necessity for purity. God had given the Israelites two clear commands, and these commands had to be executed in order to achieve a lasting victory throughout the promised land. 1. God demanded that the city of Jericho and everything in it be devoted to the Lord (Joshua 6:17). Everything was to be utterly devoted to destruction under His command, everything except Rahab. Everything within the city had become polluted, contaminated by an evil, wicked, brutal people. Consequently, just as everything had been devoted to evil, everything was now to be devoted to God's judgment, devoted to utter destruction. 2. God demanded purity and separation from all defilement, from everything that was unclean and impure (Joshua 6:18-19). God's people were to stay clean by keeping away from the accursed things. If they touched or partook of the accursed things, they would suffer judgment and destruction. And their disobedience would cause God's chastisement to fall upon the rest of God's people. Note the special offering that was to be made to God (Joshua 6:19). All the valuable metals were to be given as an offering to the worship center, the Tabernacle of the Lord. Thought 1. There are two strong lessons for us in this point: 1) The judgment of God is going to fall upon all the unclean and impure, the unrighteous and ungodly, the wicked and evil of this earth. Understanding the judgment of God will arouse a person to seek victory over all the unclean things of this life. A person who understands the judgment of God will flee sin. This person will not touch the unclean, impure thing. He will not engage or participate in sin. He will flee from all uncleanness lest he suffer the judgment of God. The judgment of God is going to fall upon this earth. Every human being will stand before God and give an account for everything done in his body, whether good or bad. We must understand the judgment of God, that it is coming. Every human being will stand before God and be judged. "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left" (Matthew 25:31-33). "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19). "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:28-29). "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thes. 1:7-8).
Page 9 2) God demands spiritual separation. He demands that we not touch the unclean thing, that we not take part in the worldliness, sin, evil, and shame of this world. God demands that we be separated from this world and be set apart to Him. "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares" (Luke 21:34). "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you" (John 15:19). "And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation" (Acts 2:40). 5. (6:20-21) Faith, Results of Victory, Source of Power, of God, Example of Jericho, Fall of Conquest, of Jericho: How can a person conquer, be victorious throughout life? By faith, in God. By possessing a faith that experiences victory through the power of God. The decisive moment had come! Joshua had given the order for the trumpets to blast and the people to shout for the Lord Himself had given them the city! Victory was to be theirs, right now! As the trumpets blasted and the war cry was shouted, the most amazing, astonishing thing happened. The walls of Jericho came tumbling down! They collapsed! And the army of Israel stormed the city in a frontal assault. They experienced complete victory, the total destruction of the enemy. All the enemy including the livestock were put to the sword. Complete victory was achieved by the phenomenal power and spectacular miracle of God. The first enemy a people so hardened by evil that they would never repent or return to God was destroyed. Complete and total victory was given to God's people. All because God's people had endured to the end, doing exactly what God had said. The people of God had believed and trusted God to the very end. Therefore, God gave them the victory. Thought 1. Faith in God is the victory that overcomes the world. Throughout life enemy after enemy confronts the believer, enemies that attempt to defeat and destroy us. Right now, many of us are facing enemies such as... disease and injury hate and hostility envy and consuming lust greed and uncontrolled passions overeating and gluttony anger and malice argument and division separation and divorce abuse and assault lawlessness and violence drugs and drunkenness doubt and unbelief resentment and bitterness grief and death financial loss and bankruptcy discouragement and depression The enemies that confront us are innumerable and can defeat and destroy us. But there is hope! The wonderful hope of God's glorious promise: there is victory through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! That is victory over all the enemies of life! Faith in Christ believing and trusting Christ, clinging to Christ and following after Christ, doing exactly what Christ tells us this is the life that will bring victory. Victory is achieved through the power of Christ, and only through His power. Victory is ours by faith in the power of our Lord.
Page 10 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God" (Romans 6:13). "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us" (Romans 8:31-34). Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible Joshua.