Sermon of T. J. de Ruiter, August 1998, Hilversum, The Netherlands
“By faith the walls
of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days."
Hebrews 11:30; read also Joshua 5: 13 –15;
6: 16,20
INTRODUCTION
The attentive reader will notice notice something curious in verse 30. In the previous verses the names of faith-heroes are mentioned; the last one is Moses. In verse 30 we see however that the name of the leader of the nation at that time, Joshua, has been left out. We know that Moses had died and that Joshua had become the new leader. But his name doesn’t shine in this list of faith-heroes in Hebrews 11 and that is remarkable. This is the more remarkable as we notice that the name of the prostitute, who lived on the wall of Jericho and who had hidden the spies, is mentioned by name: ”By faith the harlot Rachab perished not with them that believed not, when she received the spies with peace”. Joshua is not, but the harlot is mentioned, a remarkable fact indeed, here in these Holy Writings. Other faith-heroes are mentioned, but not Joshua and yet he was a real faith-hero, he was super! It was him who later on, in the battle against the Canaanites commanded sun and moon to stand still in order to finish the battle; read Joshua 10: 12-14. Why did the writer omit his name here? I am sure that this was not due to forgetfulness of the writer. We believe that the Holy Ghost inspired the author and then such a forgetfulness seems to be quite impossible. No, there must be a reason and in this sermon I will try to discover it.
A MYSTERIOUS ENCOUNTER
The text draws our attention to the capture of Jericho and therefore I take you back to that story in the book of Joshua. I read Joshua 5: 13-15
“And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship and said unto him. What saith my Lord unto his servant? And the captain of the Lord’s host said unto Joshua, loose thy shoes from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.”
In this mysterious encounter lies the key to the fall and capture of Jericho. Evidently we meet Joshua alone in the fields of Jericho. Without doubt he was walking, thinking, praying and perhaps even worrying. “How can I ever capture Jericho? How can we take the walls. How can we penetrate the city - must we besiege it? That will be a long question and then, probably, there will also come assistance from the surrounding nations.” Questions, questions and more questions for this leader of Israel. Maybe there would be a meeting of leaders next day and he was expected to unfold his strategy. No, Joshua didn’t have a easy time and more than likely, he was thinking hard, while walking in the fields. Probably, he was looking to the ground, for when he sensed another person near him, it says that he lifted up his eyes and saw a man with a drawn sword.
THE CAPTAIN OF THE LORD’S HOST
This mysterious figure revealed himself as the captain of the Lord’s hosts. He was not just a warrior-angel, for we read further on that he said: “Loose thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy.” The person was not satisfied that Joshua bowed down and fell on his face to the earth, no he also had to take his shoes off. Listen carefully! The ground was holy, because the Holy One was standing there, a divine person. Most commentaries hurry to put in the margin that we have here an appearance of Jesus Christ. Such an appearance of him is called in theology a theophany, that is a physical appearance of a divine person.
Before Joshua stood - it may sound unbelievable - the Lord Zebaoth, the Lord God of Hosts, the Mighty God - what an encounter! No wonder that Joshua fell on his face, what a sensation of supernatural power he must have felt!
JOSHUA AND JESUS
Who were standing there facing each other in the fields of Jericho? Joshua and Jesus, the second Person of the Holy Trinity! It is here very significant that Jesus and Joshua stood face to face for they had the same name. Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua. The name means Redeemer, Saviour or ‘the Lord saves’. The earthly leader and the heavenly did meet here in a really hystorical meeting. Joshua was in the divine destination of his life, a type of Jesus as redeemer and leader of God’s people.
Now, please, notice what the heavenly Joshua said to the earthly one, when he asked him: “Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?” But he answered:”Nay, but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. From this short, authoritative word it becomes evident that the heavenly Joshua didn’t come to assist the earthly Joshua in his battle, but that He had come to take over command! Do you see this? Jesus himself had come to take over the command!
FAITHFUL OBEDIENCE OF JOSHUA
Let us use our imagination and follow Joshua next day when he had a meeting with his generals. There was only one agenda on this very important meeting. The plan of Joshua to take Jericho. Joshua stood up. Some whispered: ”Doesn’t he look too relaxed and what a remarkable shine on his face.” Joshua: ”Dear brothers, yesterday I had a most unusual meeting. I met the heavenly captain of the Lord’s host and He took over the command. I subjected myself totally to Him. I believe that He will lead us and give us the city. Dear brothers, I really gave the complete command to him. The Lord, our God, did not come to help us, but to lead and direct us. All we have to do is to obey Him.”
Can you imagine how these generals might have reacted? Maybe the oldest, the wisest men might have protested: “Dear Joshua, didn’t you dream? Didn’t your feelings of insecurity mislead you? What do you want us to do now?”
“Well,”Joshua might have said, “I’am in my right mind and listen, this morning before this meeting the Lord was speaking to me and said that we have to compass the city during six days, each day once and the seventh day, seven times. Then, after we compassed the city for the last time the priests have to blow on their trumpets and the people have to shout and then the walls will fall down.” People, read Joshua 6: 2-5. I would have loved to see the faces of these generals after this message.
Some general, who had already smelt blood and sensed honour because of war-success, were speechless! Others laughed and said:”What a ridiculous and stupid plan! We make ourselves ridiculous in the eyes of the people of Jericho.” But Joshua said: “I represent the voice of our God and we do as He told me! This meeting is closed. Make the people ready for the first walk.”
FAITH OF THE WHOLE NATION
When they started to walk Joshua said: “With my eyes of faith I see the heavenly Captain going before us with his drawn sword and we follow Him.”
Joshua’s name isn’t mentioned in Hebrews 11 – why, I ask again? May I suggest because he subjected himself to the heavenly Joshua and joined the people. Therefore we read: ”By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days”. Literally it says:”After they (the walls) were circled during seven days.’ It was not just Joshua’s faith and obedience, but that of the whole nation!
The secret of the fall of Jericho is the united faith of the whole nation, they followed the instructions of God. And when they had finished the last tour of Jericho ther faith reached its highest power. Joshua said at that stratigic and awesome moment – read Josha 6:16 “Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city.” Notice that he didn’t say: “Shout, for the Lord will give you the city”. No, he said: “For the Lord has given you the city.” That’s faith! And the people shouted and Joshua shouted with them!
REVIVAL AND THE COLLAPSE OF SATANIC STRONGHOLDS
Last year the Holy Spirit gave me a prophetic word: ”The revival, that God will bring in the Netherlands, will be one of which no earthly leader will be able to say: “This revival came through me. God used me, my faith, my talents”. The revival that God will bring, will not be one of which a church can say that the revival has through her. The revival that God will bring, will come about by the Holy Spirit. No pastor, evangelist or apostle will be able to say that the revival did come through him. It will be the work of the Holy Spirit - He is the leader of the Church here on earth.” People, I am convinced that the real revival can only come as the Holy Ghost will receive the leadership of the church and be obeyed unconditionally. Then satan’s strongholds will fall down and many will be saved.
Let me say this very clearly: The Holy Spirit is the leader of the Church on earth. Jesus, the Founder of the Church is in heaven. He is the Head of the body, but the Holy Spirit is with the church on earth. We have to understand this: The Holy Spirit will never appear in human form, like the heavenly Captain to Joshua. But He can come in other forms, that express symbolically something of his character, strength and mission. He came as a dove on Jesus, pure and peaceful. On that day of Pentecost He came invisibly, but He made his presence and power known by a sound of a strong wind and by tongues as of fire. His power made the apostles as it were drunk as they spoke in other tongues. Today, He still speaks to believers with an inward voice. He gives dreams and visions to give directions. He comes with powers that rise above our knowledge and control. But when He comes, He doesn’t intimidate, but inspire. When He comes, He doesn’t come to assist us, but to lead us. When He comes, He doesn’t come to divide but to unite. When He comes believers stop to worry and start to worship! Hallelujah!
CONCLUSION
The Netherlands can be changed, not by our little plans, but only by the plan of God, the Holy Spirit, the Mighty and Mysterious Person of the Godhead. Are you ready for his plan? Are you ready to fall down and worship? Are you ready to submit to Him and obey Him? Is the church, as a body ready to obey the Holy Spirit? He will lead the church to victory and empower the preaching of the divine word as it is spoken by us. He will glorify Christ by mighty deeds and the wonderful salvation of men and women! Holy Spirit, come, make yourself know afresh and take control! Amen!
PRAYER
I invite you to pray this prayer with me.
“Lord God, I fall down before you, I stop worrying and begin to worship You. Please, take the leadership over your church. Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ said that you would be with us, leading and empowering us. Please, lead your Church in this nation back to God, back to holiness, peace and purity. Give us a revival for the sake of Jesus Christ. May our nation be cleansed by the power of His atoning blood. Amen.”
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Questions? E-mail.... Pastor T. J. de Ruiter