Faithful Obedience: Surrendering for Divine Victory
Summary
Today, we continued our journey through the story of Joshua and the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land, focusing on the powerful lessons found in Joshua chapters 2 through 6. The heart of the story is about a generation that finally believed and trusted God, picking up where their parents failed. The previous generation missed out on God’s promise because they refused to trust Him and neglected the small acts of obedience that matter to God. In contrast, Joshua’s generation learned that faithfulness in the little things—like circumcision and celebrating Passover—was essential, even when it didn’t seem to make sense or produce immediate results.
We saw how God required the Israelites to consecrate themselves before they could conquer Jericho. This act of consecration—surrendering to God and setting themselves apart—was a necessary step before victory. It’s a reminder that God wants to conquer us before He conquers our circumstances. Surrender always comes before victory. Whether it’s our habits, our relationships, or our struggles, God asks us to lay them down before Him so He can move in power.
Another key lesson is that God’s provision changes as we grow. In the wilderness, God did everything for Israel, providing manna daily. But once they entered the Promised Land, the manna stopped, and they had to work the land themselves. God shifted from being their sole provider to being their partner, empowering them to take responsibility and grow. God is not an enabler; He is an empowerer. He wants us to partner with Him, not just wait for Him to do everything.
We also looked at the importance of private time with God. Joshua’s encounter with the Commander of the Lord’s Army (a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus) shows us that public victories are born out of private visits with God. It’s in those quiet moments of worship, prayer, and listening that God gives us the strategies and strength we need for the battles ahead.
Finally, we learned that we must value God’s promises above people’s opinions. Joshua refused to let the voices of doubt and negativity from others keep him from obeying God. He knew that following God’s word was more important than pleasing people or seeking their approval.
Key Takeaways
- Faithfulness in the Small Things: The Israelites failed in the wilderness because they stopped doing the small things God asked of them—like circumcision and Passover—when they didn’t see immediate results. True faith is shown in consistent obedience, even when it feels pointless or unnoticed. God honors those who are faithful in the little things, and it’s often the small acts of obedience that prepare us for greater things. [09:58]
- Consecration Before Conquering: Before the Israelites could take Jericho, they had to consecrate themselves—surrendering their will and ways to God. This principle holds true for us: God wants to conquer our hearts before He conquers our circumstances. Surrendering our struggles, habits, and desires to God is the pathway to real victory. [13:11]
- God Empowers, Not Enables: When the manna stopped, the Israelites had to work the land and take responsibility for their provision. God’s goal is not to keep us comfortable, but to grow us into maturity by partnering with us. He delights in our growth and wants us to move from passively receiving to actively participating in His promises. [19:17]
- Private Time Fuels Public Victory: Joshua’s private encounter with the Commander of the Lord’s Army was the turning point for Israel’s victory. Our greatest breakthroughs come from time spent alone with God—listening, worshiping, and receiving His direction. Public victories are always rooted in private devotion. [24:58]
- God’s Promise Over People’s Opinions: Joshua learned to value God’s promise above the opinions of others. The voices of doubt, fear, and negativity can keep us from stepping into God’s best if we let them. We must choose to trust God’s word and direction, even when it goes against popular opinion or conventional wisdom. [36:22]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Series Recap and Announcements
[03:00] - Joshua and the Promised Land: A New Generation
[05:37] - Crossing the Jordan and the Enemy’s Fear
[08:18] - The Uncomfortable Call to Consecration
[09:58] - Why the Wilderness Generation Failed
[13:11] - Consecration Before Conquering
[15:52] - Personal Testimony: Surrender and Change
[19:17] - Manna Ceases: God’s Provision Shifts
[21:59] - Growth Over Comfort: Ask, Seek, Knock
[24:58] - Joshua’s Encounter with the Commander
[31:11] - The Battle Plan for Jericho
[32:50] - The Power of Silence and Obedience
[36:22] - God’s Promise Over People’s Opinions
[37:40] - The First and the Best Belong to God
[39:00] - Review and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Joshua 2–6 – Consecration Before Conquering
---
### Bible Reading
1. Joshua 5:2-12 (ESV)
> 2 At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel a second time.” 3 So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth. 4 And this is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: all the males of the people who came out of Egypt, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness on the way after they had come out of Egypt. 5 Though all the people who came out had been circumcised, yet all the people who were born on the way in the wilderness after they had come out of Egypt had not been circumcised. 6 For the people of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, the men of war who came out of Egypt, perished, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord; the Lord swore to them that he would not let them see the land that the Lord had sworn to their fathers to give to us, a land flowing with milk and honey. 7 So it was their children, whom he raised up in their place, that Joshua circumcised. For they were uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised on the way. 8 When the circumcising of the whole nation was finished, they remained in their places in the camp until they were healed. 9 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” And so the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day.
>
> 10 While the people of Israel were encamped at Gilgal, they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening on the plains of Jericho. 11 And the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. 12 And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land. And there was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
2. Joshua 5:13–15 (ESV)
> 13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” 14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” 15 And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
3. Hebrews 11:30-31 (ESV)
> 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
---
### Observation Questions
1. What two important acts of obedience did Joshua lead the Israelites to do before they attacked Jericho? (Joshua 5:2-12)
2. According to the sermon, why had the previous generation failed to enter the Promised Land? [09:58]
3. What changed about God’s provision for the Israelites once they entered the Promised Land? (Joshua 5:12)
4. Who did Joshua encounter near Jericho, and what was the significance of this meeting? (Joshua 5:13-15)
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God required the Israelites to be circumcised and celebrate Passover right before facing their enemies, instead of after the victory? What does this say about God’s priorities? [13:11]
2. The sermon says, “God wants to conquer us before He conquers our circumstances.” What does it mean for God to “conquer” us, and why is this necessary before we see breakthrough in our lives? [15:52]
3. When the manna stopped and the Israelites had to work the land, what lesson was God teaching them about partnership and responsibility? How does this challenge the way we sometimes expect God to work in our lives? [19:17]
4. Joshua’s private encounter with the Commander of the Lord’s Army happened before the public victory at Jericho. What does this teach us about the relationship between private devotion and public success? [24:58]
---
### Application Questions
1. The Israelites’ parents stopped doing the “small things” God asked of them, like circumcision and Passover, when they didn’t see immediate results. Are there any “small” acts of obedience or spiritual habits you’ve neglected because they seemed pointless or unproductive? What would it look like to pick them up again? [09:58]
2. Is there an area of your life—like a habit, relationship, or struggle—that you need to surrender to God before you can see victory? What would it look like to truly lay it down and let God “conquer” your heart in that area? [15:52]
3. When God stopped providing manna, the Israelites had to work the land themselves. Are there areas in your life where you’ve been waiting for God to do everything, but He might be inviting you to partner with Him and take responsibility? What’s one step you could take this week? [19:17]
4. Joshua’s private time with God led to the strategy for Jericho’s victory. How much intentional, private time do you spend with God each week? What could you do to make this a greater priority, and how might it impact your “public” life? [24:58]
5. Joshua refused to let the opinions of others keep him from obeying God. Are there voices of doubt, fear, or negativity in your life that are holding you back from following God’s direction? How can you tune out those voices and focus on God’s promises instead? [36:22]
6. The Israelites built an altar of stones to remember what God had done. Do you have any “reminders” in your life of God’s faithfulness? If not, what could you do to help you remember and thank God for what He’s brought you through? [09:58]
7. The sermon said, “God is not an enabler; He is an empowerer.” How does this change the way you pray or approach challenges in your life? Are there any ways you need to shift from passively waiting to actively partnering with God? [19:17]
---
Devotional
Day 1: Consecration Comes Before Conquering
Before experiencing victory, we must first surrender ourselves fully to God, allowing Him to work in us and through us. The Israelites could not conquer Jericho until they had consecrated themselves through obedience—circumcising the new generation and keeping the Passover, acts that had been neglected for decades. This principle remains true for us: God calls us to lay down our own ways, habits, and desires, trusting Him enough to let go and let Him lead. When we consecrate our hearts and lives, God is able to bring about the victories we long for, but it always starts with surrender. [13:11]
Joshua 5:10-12 (ESV)
"While the people of Israel were encamped at Gilgal, they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening on the plains of Jericho. And the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land. And there was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year."
Reflection: What is one area of your life you have been holding back from God? What would it look like to truly surrender it to Him today?
Day 2: God Empowers Us Through Partnership, Not Enablement
God’s desire is not to do everything for us while we remain passive, but to empower us as we partner with Him in faith and obedience. When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, the manna stopped and they began to eat from the land’s produce—God still provided, but now they had to participate in the process. In our own lives, God invites us to step out, take responsibility, and trust Him to bless the work of our hands. He is not an enabler who keeps us dependent, but a loving Father who wants us to grow, mature, and experience the fullness of His promises as we walk with Him. [19:17]
Joshua 5:12 (ESV)
"And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land. And there was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year."
Reflection: Where have you been waiting for God to do everything for you? How can you step out in faith and actively partner with Him in that area today?
Day 3: Public Victories Are Born from Private Visits with God
The greatest breakthroughs and victories in life are birthed in the quiet, private moments spent with God. Joshua’s encounter with the Commander of the Lord’s Army—Jesus Himself—reminds us that before any public triumph, there must be a private surrender and time of listening to God’s voice. It is in these moments that God gives us the strategies, courage, and clarity we need for the battles ahead. If you want to see God move powerfully in your life, make it a priority to spend intentional, focused time in His presence and in His Word. [24:58]
Joshua 5:13-15 (ESV)
"When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, 'Are you for us, or for our adversaries?' And he said, 'No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.' And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, 'What does my lord say to his servant?' And the commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, 'Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.' And Joshua did so."
Reflection: When can you set aside intentional, undistracted time this week to seek God’s presence and listen for His direction in your life?
Day 4: God’s Promise Must Outweigh People’s Opinions
To walk in God’s promises, you must learn to value His voice above the opinions of others. Joshua instructed the Israelites to remain silent as they marched around Jericho, knowing that negative voices and doubt had kept the previous generation from entering the Promised Land. In your journey, there will always be people who question, criticize, or discourage what God has called you to do. Choose to trust God’s promise over popular opinion, and let His Word be the loudest voice in your life. [33:59]
Joshua 6:10 (ESV)
"But Joshua commanded the people, 'You shall not shout or make your voice heard, neither shall any word go out of your mouth, until the day I tell you to shout. Then you shall shout.'"
Reflection: Whose opinions have been influencing your decisions more than God’s promises? What step can you take today to tune out those voices and focus on what God has spoken?
Day 5: Give God Your First and Best
God calls us to honor Him with our first and our best, not our leftovers. When the Israelites conquered Jericho, they were commanded not to take any of the spoils for themselves, because the first city belonged wholly to God. Disobedience in this area led to defeat in the next battle, showing the importance of putting God first in every area of our lives—our time, our resources, our talents, and our hearts. When we give God our first and best, we invite His blessing and protection over all that follows. [37:40]
Proverbs 3:9-10 (ESV)
"Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine."
Reflection: In what area of your life have you been giving God less than your first and best? How can you honor Him with your best today?
Quotes
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jul 30, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?