Faithfulness First

Joshua 5

A Fork in the Road: God’s Plan or Our Plan

1st Generation: Our Plan  (Num. 13-14)

• “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt” (Nm. 14.4)
• God was ready to fulfill his promise, but his people rejected his plan in favor their own
• They chose what they knew over what God had planned for them
  God was not thwarted - he graciously extends his promises to their children; but the parents miss out on God’s blessing

2nd Generation: God’s Plan

• The 2nd Generation chooses faithfulness over fear
• On the cusp on the promised land, they pause to renew their covenant
• Circumcision says: You are our God, and we trust you to keep your promises (Genesis 17)

Strengthening Faith

• Israel strengthens their faith by celebrating what God has already done
• Passover says: Conquering Canaan won't be easy, but look what our God has already done!

Take Home Idea: God never promises that following him will be easy, but God will always deliver on his promises if we are faithful