One of the biblical points of the New Testament is that you have been set free. I have been set free from our old enemy who used to hold us hostage. Dr. Tony Evans says the only power the enemy has over you now is the lie you choose to believe. God wants to roll away the reproach of the enemy so that you can pursue your birthright and declare your new identity.
This is the alternative broadcast, featuring the timeless biblical teachings from the archives of Dr. Tony Evans.
Some moments in life are so significant, you never want to forget them. That's why God told the Israelites to build a memorial when they crossed the Jordan River, so future generations would remember how he made a way where there was none. Today, Dr. Evans takes us to that turning point and unpacks what it means to step forward in faith, live under God's covering, and never forget who brought you through. Let's join him as he begins.
Last time I believe we closed with chapter three, them crossing the Jordan River. And they cross it at the end of chapter 3, verse 17, on dry ground. Two miracles. God dams the river so that the water stops flowing and it walls up many miles upstream. And then he hardens the ground.
so that they are crossing like on concrete. rather than on mud.
So there are two miracles. This is the same thing that happened in Exodus when they crossed the Red Sea. God not only opened up the Red Sea, but He hardened the ground.
So they're crossing the Jordan River, they're coming into the promised land. Their destiny, a destiny that had been promised over 400 years earlier, that now, because they're operating by faith, and remember we said, The wilderness is to teach you to walk by faith.
So that when you get into the place God is taking you, you do not forget him. Because you remember that it is God who brought you to this place. As they crossed the Jordan into now this promised land. The Lord speaks to Joshua in chapter 4. Take for yourselves 12 men from the people, one man from each tribe, and command them, saying, Take up for yourselves 12 stones.
from here out of the middle of the Jordan. from the place where the priest's feet were standing firm, and carry them over with you and lay them down in the lodging place where you will lodge tonight.
So take 12 men and get these 12 stones out of the Jordan River. He tells them in verse 21. He said to the sons of Israel, When your children ask their fathers in time to come, Saying what Are these stones, the twelve stones that they took out of the Jordan? Then you shall inform your children, saying, Israel crossed this Jordan on dry land. For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed.
Just as the Lord your God had done. to the Red Sea, which he dried up before us until we had crossed. That all the people of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty.
so that you may fear the Lord. your God forever. What was the purpose of these stones that the twelve men were to pick up? and to put and make this memorial. The memorial, he says, is to look back.
At the mighty works of God. It is to look back and remember. But the purpose of looking back and remembering. is to be a testament. to moving forward.
The memorial is not just. to remember yesterday. It is to remember how yesterday happened. There's certain things in my life and your life. that you remember where God showed up.
And he showed out. Mm-hmm. And he stepped into your situations. and did something out of the ordinary. Don't forget those times.
Not only don't forget them, but when you're... Children ask you. In fact, He says the whole earth, when anybody needs to know, you give testimony. Why? Because it establishes the mighty hand of God.
Red seas don't open every day. Jordans don't open every day. But memorials let you know they can be opened. And it gives this next generation, he says, when your children ask you. You'll let them see.
So, if your child even sees you, take communion. Mom, why do you do that?
Well, let me tell you what happened at Calvary. You know, let me rehearse that for your own. development. You'll say to them. Because the waters of the Jordan, verse 7, were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord when it crossed the Jordan.
The waters of the Jordan were cut off.
So the sons of Israel, verse 8, did exactly what they were told to do. Notice verse 9. Then Joshua set up 12 stones in the middle of the Jordan, at the place where the feet of the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant were standing, and they are there to this day.
Now wait, man, we got two things going on here. We got the 12 men, each one picking up a stone, setting up A memorial for all of Israel. But then we got Joshua. Setting up his own memorial. In the middle.
of the Jordan.
So he did something for everybody, but he did something for him. No. See, cause he'd get ready to face. As you'll see in a moment, he's getting ready to face Jericho and AI. He's getting ready to face some big situations.
And even though he was the leader, he needed to remember.
So he just did something for him. He says, Joshua went back. And he placed 12 stones to remind him when he faced the next crisis. Of what God could do. And so For the priests, verse 10, who carried the ark, the ark was standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything was completed that the LORD had commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua.
And the people heard and crossed.
So he's been given instruction. Verse 16, he commands the priests who carry the ark of the testimony that they come up from the Jordan. And so he commanded the priests, saying, come up. And when the priests who carry the ark of the Lord came up from the middle of the Jordan and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted to the dry ground, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and went over all the banks as before. Remember, this happened at flood stage.
Flood stage meant that the waters were at their highest peak.
So God waited. Until it would be a show enough miracle. In other words, we can't say, well, the water was low. First of all, the ground still wouldn't have been dry, but the water would have been low. In other words, this couldn't be explained away.
because the water had crested at its highest point during this season.
So let me say a word here. God occasionally performs miracles. To show his hand.
So that when you face a future challenge. You remember what he did yesterday. That's why there's so much in the Bible about not forgetting. Because God wants you to remember his mighty hand as a testimony to others and for us to fear the Lord ourselves. This leads us to chapter five.
Now it came about when all of the kings of the Amorites. Who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea heard how the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the sons of Israel until they had crossed. that their hearts melted. And there was no spirit in them any longer because of the sons of Israel.
Now remember, Rahab told them. They folks scared. Ray had already told them that. The Lord says to Joshua, make for yourself flint knives. and circumcise again the sons of Israel.
The second time.
Okay, the circumcision, remember, was the sign of the covenant. It indicated we are different than the peoples which we live. and the cutting away of the foreskin of the male. was an indication of the transfer of the covenant throughout the generations and the births that would take place.
So God put them in a vulnerable position.
So to speak. By circumcision, On the other hand, Circumcision placed you under divine covering.
So, what looked like being placed in a vulnerable position. was really being placed in a protected position. Because circumcision put you under divine covering. And if you recall, remember when we talked about the story of David and Goliath? And all of Israel was scared of Goliath.
And David said, Who is this uncircumcised Philistine? that he would taunt the armies of the living God. In other words, he's not covered. He doesn't have a divine covering.
So the circumcision was the sign of the covering. The Bible in the New Testament. Talks about this, Colossians chapter 2, verse 11: that our circumcision is demonstrated through our baptism, that we are set apart as unique. As distinct. As different.
So, what looked like a negative was really a positive because a covering was taking place.
So This is the reason, verse 4, why Joshua circumcised them. All the people came out of Egypt Who were males? All the men of war. died in the wilderness along the way after they came out of of Egypt. For all the people who came out were circumcised.
But all the people who were born in the wilderness along the way as they came out of Egypt had not been circumcised.
So we're not just talking about the circumcision of kids. We're talking about the circumcision of people 20 years and over.
So the circumcision had to had to be done so that they would be covered. They had not followed obediently what God had told them to do. Uh coming through the wilderness. When Dr. Evans continues our message in just a moment, he'll tell us how God leads His people into a new beginning.
First, though, I want to remind you about a great resource we're offering right now, the Kingdom Family Devotional, a book written by Dr. Evans and his son, pastor and author Jonathan Evans. It's a 52-week journey through essential topics of the Christian faith, with daily devotionals simple enough for kids, yet deep enough to challenge the whole family to grow spiritually and closer together. We'd like to send you a copy of this devotional as our thank you gift when you make a donation to help support the ministry of the alternative. And on top of that, we'll also include all the messages from Tony's current teaching series on the book of Joshua, including the full-length version of today's message, The Road to Jericho, as well as other powerful lessons about trusting God's strategies to overcome life's obstacles.
In addition to the nine digital downloads, you can also get those resources on CD or USB flash drive, including material we won't have time to present on. On the broadcast. Don't wait to take advantage of this special double offer. Visit us today at tonyevans.org or call 1-800-800-3222 and let one of our friendly resource team members assist you any time of the day or night. That's 1-800-800-3222.
Well, right now, let's return to Dr. Evans in Joshua chapter 5. And then verse 9, a very important statement in verse 9. Then the Lord said to Joshua, Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.
So the name of the place is called Gilgal to this day. I have rolled away. The reproach of Egypt. Remember in Egypt they were slaves. They were under the gun.
They were humiliated. And it was time for them to reclaim their birthright. Yeah.
So it was illustrating. rolling back the reproach. that you are now Free. One of the biblical Point of the New Testament. is Freedom.
That you have been set free. I have been set free from our old enemy. who used to hold us hostage.
So, the only way the devil can hold you hostage now is by deceiving you. He has to trick you. Because he no longer has legal authority over you.
So, the only way you're held hostage to something outside of God's will is that Satan. has deceived the thought process. God wants to roll away the reproach. Of the enemy.
so that you can pursue your birthright. and declare your new identity. Verse 10, while the sons of Israel camped at Gilgal, they observed the Passover. On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month. on the desert plains of Jericho.
Of course, the Passover reminded them of their deliverance from Egypt. when the death angel passed over. On the day, verse 11, after the Passover. on that very day they ate some of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes, And parched grain.
Now, that's a verse you probably read over quick and say, okay, they had something to eat. Over Passover. No. Don't miss a phrase there. It says they ate.
Of the land. God promised them a land flowing with milk and honey. But along the way in the wilderness, he fed them with manna from on high. Miracle food, cornflakes from above. That's when he fed them going through the wilderness.
Once they got into the wilderness, They fed themselves on what the wilderness provided. When God is developing us. He brings things to us. But he expects us to get to a place in our spiritual experience. where we take advantage of what he's already provided.
And where we act on his promise, he promised them a land that they would eat from, and now they are benefiting.
So, what happened, verse 12? The manor ceased on the day after they had eaten some of the produce of the land.
So God stopped flowing down stuff from heaven. Cause now you can get it yourself.
Now, one of my favorite stories in the whole Bible. Or at least in the Old Testament. comes up in verses 13 and following.
Now it came about, verse 13, when Joshua was by Jericho. That he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him. With his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, Are you for us or for our adversaries? He said, No, rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down and said to him, what has my lord to say to his servant?
The captain of the Lord's host said to Joshua, Remove your sandals from your feet. for the place where you are standing is holy. And Joshua did so.
Now Joshua is by Jericho. Jericho has two big walls around it, an outer wall and an inner wall.
So Joshua is a military man. He's trying to figure out, okay, God told us this is our land, but we got a problem in our land. We got these cities, starting with Jericho.
So, the question is: How are we going to do this? How are we going to have victory? Over this Jericho problem. It's too big. It's too it's too it's rock solid.
You can't defeat it because it's so big. That's called a stronghold in the New Testament.
So Josh was there. He lifts up his eyes and looks and he sees a man. Ready for battle. With the sword drawn, that means you're ready to fight. We're told that this man is a captain.
So he wants to know whose side are you on? He says, Are you for us? Are you for them? Because obviously If you're for us, we have help. If you're for them, they have help.
So, I need to know whose side are you on? Fair question, because this guy's ready to fight right now. He's got his sword drawn. He said. No.
Rather, I indeed, verse 14, come now as captain of the host. of the Lord.
Okay, the host of the Lord are the angelic host.
So I'm captain of the angels. He's got a whole army. of angels. Joshua fell on his face to the earth and bowed down and said, What has my Lord to say to his servant? The captain, verse 15, of the Lord's host said to Joshua, Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.
And Joshua did so.
So Jesus, the captain, Who is worthy of worship? He bows down, he says, My Lord, and holy ground is where the space that God occupies. He says to him. Remove your sandals from your feet.
Okay, that's getting into the posture of worship. For the place where you are standing is holy ground. The last phrase in chapter five. That says And he did so.
Now, why do I want to point out? And he did so. Follow me now. We've got a stronghold. We got a city.
That you can't penetrate, putting it another way, we got a problem you can't fix. You got a problem you can't fix. It's too big, too thick. been there too long it's a stronghold that you can't break through He is confronted by Christ who's ready to fight.
So Christ shows up. Related to the situation he's in. He's got to fight Jericho. But before we get into any fighting. He tells Joshua, you bow down.
and worship. Take off your shoe. You worship. You worship. Yeah.
When Joshua takes His position of worship. That transitions us to chapter six. And what you find out in chapter six. which is a story we all know, but we're going to look at it in more detail. Is that God now gives Joshua a strategy?
For breaking or overcoming a stronghold. Totally outside of anything he is totally familiar with. He's going to give him a strategy that's going to blow his mind. But the strategy doesn't come until the worship has occurred. You got a stronghold, you got the captain, you got worship.
And now he's going to get a plan from heaven. That will be totally outside of his background, history, training, and experience. Because when we take the proper posture, Toward Jesus Christ's rule. Then we get heaven's plan. to deal with earthly problems.
He sets the stage in chapter 6.
Now Jericho was tightly shut. because of the sons of Israel. No one went out and no one came in. They closed that mama down. The Lord said to Joshua, See, I have given Jericho into your hand.
with its king and the valiant warriors. You shall march around the city, all the men of war circling the city once. You shall do it for six days. Also seven priests who carry seven trumpets. Of ram horns before the ark, then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priest shall blow.
The trumpet. What I want to call your attention to is verse 2. I have given Jericho into your hands. There is nothing. That can compare.
With God giving you something you were trying to take. See, he's trying to take Jericho. Doesn't know how he's going to take Jericho, but in his worship, He discovered how God could give him what he was trying to take. Q. We miss a lot of divine intervention Because we do not appeal to the spiritual first.
We appeal to the pragmatic first. But because he appealed to the spiritual first, He got a whole different pragmatic. than he would have ever come up with on his own. And the pragmatic that he got was going to be a gift.
So don't miss God's gifts. because we refuse to take off our shoes. Dr. Tony Evans, reminding us that when we honor God first and fully, we open the door to receive the unexpected gifts He's prepared for our journey. Yeah.
Now before we wrap up today, I want to remind you that this lesson is part of Tony's current teaching series from the Book of Joshua, a powerful collection that will help you discover how to follow God's lead for your life, even when the odds seem impossible. As I mentioned earlier, if you make a donation in support of this ministry, we'll say thanks by sending you all nine messages in the Joshua audio series, along with a copy of the Kingdom Family Devotional. A resource designed to help your whole family grow spiritually and draw closer together through practical and engaging daily insights. Don't wait, this special double offer will only be available for a limited time. Make your request today at tonyevans.org or let one of our friendly team members assist you when you call our resource line at 1-800-800-3222.
Again, that's tonyevans.org or by phone at 1-800-800-3222.
Okay. Following turn-by-turn directions doesn't really help if you decide to skip some of those turns along the way. Tomorrow, Dr. Evan shows how Israel's greatest biblical victory. quickly gave way to unexpected defeat.
and how our faith and obedience determine whether we move forward with God or fall back on ourselves. Be sure to join us.
