Jesus in the Old Testament 025:

Jesus Fights for Us

Josh 5:13-15

 

Thesis: We live in a world of hostility, based both in the physical and spiritual realms. If we try to fight our battles ourselves, we are destined to fail.  Jesus alone is the universal champion of Heaven.  He commands the armies of God and is indomitable.

 

1. Nutshell w/Kids
1. Show the picture of Superman to the kids.
1. What is happening here?
2. Are these people in danger?
3. What will happen to them?
4. How do you know?
5. You believe that these people are going to be okay because you believe that Superman is able to handle whatever danger that might come.
6. Superman is a fiction, but there is a warrior who always wins and who cannot be defeated. What is that? Jesus.
2. In several places in the Bible, we see Jesus as a warrior. How does that make you feel?
3. There is no danger of Him ever losing, “indomitable.”  Jesus fights for you.
4. If Jesus says that he will fight for you, what does that mean?
5. Is there anything that can defeat you if you are walking with Jesus? No.

 

2. Deeper w/Adults
1. Context: Joshua leading the Israelites against Jericho.
1. Up to this moment, he is approaching this as an impending siege, and so is Jericho.

a)    Spies (Ch. 2, Rahab)

b)    City shut up tight (6:1)

2. Joshua prepares the Israelites spiritually

a)    Circumcised again, for they were not circumcised in the wilderness wanderings.

b)    Observed Passover.

3. Entered the land and started eating its fruit after Passover. Manna stops.
1. Josh 5:13
1. Joshua is “by Jericho.” Spying out the land.  Perhaps his army is already encamped in front of it.
2. “A Man,” The Angel of the Lord.  Not so glorious in this appearance that Joshua immediately knows that He is not a normal man. 
3. Sword in his hand. 

a)    Num 22:23, 31

b)    1 Chron 21:15-16

4. “Are you for us or against us” Joshua doesn’t recognize him, so he asks if he is one of his own soldiers or an emissary come from Jericho.
2. Vs 14-15
1. No.  Neither.  Self-revelation, “the commander of the armies of Lord.”
2. Joshua immediately worships him.

a)    We know this isn’t Michael or some other angel.  No angel receives worship (Rev 22:9)

b)    The Angel of the Lord receives worship in several of His encounters, reinforcing the case for a pre-incarnate Christophany.

3. Vs 15: Angel instructs Joshua to take off his sandals because where he is standing is Holy ground.

a)    Cf Ex 3:5

b)    Symbol or respect and honor in the Middle East, not tracking in the dust of the common world around.

4. Joshua asks for instruction.

a)    He has already been scouting out the land and developing a battle plan.

b)    God had already given general instructions for laying siege (Deut 20:1-20)

c)    Now, however, a superior force has landed upon the scene.

d)    Joshua’s response is immediate humility and receptiveness.  Is this our posture of heart in light of the Word of God and indwelling Holy Spirit?

4. The story plays out famously, with the armies of heaven handling the taking down of the wall.  Joshua’s men are only needed for the invasion of the city after the fact.  The battle is won by Jesus and his angelic army.
5. Example 2: 2 Kings 6-7
1. King of Syria sends a contingent of his army to arrest Elisha
2. 6:15 armies of heaven are visible to Elisha, but not to his servant.  His eyes ore opened.
3. 6:24 ff King Ben-Hadad of Syria comes and lays siege to Samaria.
4. People start to starve. King blames Elisha and summons him.
5. Elisha prophecies the rescue of Samaria.
6. 7:3-8.  The armies of heaven frighten the Syrians into abandoning their camp and running away, leaving all their supplies behind.
7. Jesus, the AOTL, is not mentioned, but He is the commander of the armies of heaven, and His armies won the day. The Israelites did nothing.
6. Example 3: 2Kings 19
1. Sennacherib, King of Assyria is on a rampage, conquering nations all around Judah.
2. He defies Judah and the Lord as being impotent to stop him.
3. Hezekiah takes the Sennacerib’s letter and lays it before the Lord in the temple.  It’s God’s problem.
4. Isaiah prophecies God’s reply.
5. Vs 32-34 Don’t worry.  He won’t get close enough to shoot an arrow at Jerusalem.
6. Vs 35: The Angel of the Lord kills 185,000 Assyrian soldiers overnight.

a)    They didn’t get up and fight.  They died in their sleep.

b)    Sennacherib leaves the next morning.

7. Again, Jesus and the armies of heaven in the battle, and God’s people just watch and enjoy his protection.
6. Example 4: Rev 19:11-16
1. Clearest, “revealed” image of Jesus as the commander of the armies of heaven.
2. Sword not in his hand, but coming out of his mouth, the spoken word of the Lord is powerful and effective! (cf Isa 11:4)
3. The armies of heaven, led by Jesus, go and make war.  The church watches from behind.
7. Application:
1. When God says that He will fight for us and that all we have to do is be still, He means it. Rest in His protection.

a)    Ex 14:14

b)    Deut 3:22

c)    Deut 20:4

2. This security continues past the physical realm into our spiritual lives. Romans 8:31-38
3. The weapon of Jesus ins the Word of God (Rev 19).  This weapon is available to us as well.

 

 

Discussion Questions:

1. What battles are you facing?  What do you need protection against today?
2. Have you asked Jesus to fight these battles for you, or are you trying to fight them yourself?
3. The weapon of Jesus is the Word of God.  How can you make use of this weapon in your battles?
4. Spend a moment praying as a family and asking Jesus to fight the battles you’ve mentioned.