LIVING FOR GOD’S GLORY!
Joshua 8:30-35
INTRODUCTION
Have you ever noticed how some places take on a greater significance to us than others?
- Maybe it’s a place you’ve vacationed to — and really enjoyed.
- Or maybe it’s the town you grew up in — and have so many fond memories.
- Maybe it’s the place where you met your spouse — or had your first child.
- Or if your a sports fan…maybe it’s a ballpark.
- For Cubs fans — it would be Wriggle Field.
- For Golf fans — it might be Augusta National (where the Masters will be held later this month).
- For New York sports fans — it’s Madison Square Garden.
- I know for Tampa fans (in case you were wondering) — its Raymond James Stadium (where this year’s Super Bowl will be held).
My point is simply that places can hold meaning and become significant to us. In this morning’s text—we discover that the people of Israel also have a place that holds special meaning to them. And that’s because it was a place where they met with God, and learned to worship Him.
As we pick up this story of Joshua today — we find that he and his army have defeated two major cities (Jericho and Ai). And as they prepared to conquer the rest of the Promised Land. However, instead of marching south (which you’d expect) — they instead turn north and march 30 miles on a spiritual pilgrimage specifically to worship God..
And their journey took them to a place called Shechem. A city located at the base of two important mountains. Shechem was a city that served as the Northern entrance to the Promised Land. It was flanked by two mountains were Mt Ebal (on the right) and Mt Gerizim (on the left). This was a special city and an important stop for all who wanted to enter Canaan.
Now, you may recall the city of Shechem. Because it was often spoken of in the Old Testament.
— It was here that God appeared to Abraham when he first entered the promised land centuries earlier. It was here that he built his first altar to the Lord…so he could worship God.
— It was also here that Jacob settled after escaping from Laban.
— And it was here in Shechem that Jacob built a well…that same well where many centuries later, Jesus would meet a Samaritan woman.
— And it was here that Joseph’s bones would later be buried after the conquest of the land was complete (Josh 24:32)
It’s interesting how some places take on a greater significance than others.
Well, it was this place — this city called Shechem, at the base of these two mountains (Gerizim and Ebal) that Joshua marched his army and all his people to carry out the final instructions that Moses had given him.
It was here in Shechem that the nation of Israel renewed their promise to live for God’s glory!
As was recorded in the book of Deuteronomy—Moses…gave the people of Israel a warning — to keep the covenant they had made with God and to renew that covenant just outside of Shechem. And so, that’s what they did. Joshua led the people to Shechem and they renewed their promise to serve the Lord and receive the promised blessings in their lives.
So, if you have your Bible — look with me at this story found in Joshua 8:30-35. Here we read:
30 Then Joshua built on Mount Ebal an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, 31 as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses—an altar of uncut stones, on which no iron tool had been used. On it they offered to the Lord burnt offerings and sacrificed fellowship offerings. 32 There, in the presence of the Israelites, Joshua wrote on stones a copy of the law of Moses. 33 All the Israelites, with their elders, officials and judges, were standing on both sides of the ark of the covenant of the Lord, facing the Levitical priests who carried it. Both the foreigners living among them and the native-born were there. Half of the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the Lord had formerly commanded when he gave instructions to bless the people of Israel. 34 Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law. 35 There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them. — Joshua 8:30-35
Now, before you get lost in the details — and fail to see the heart of this text, let me share it with you.
This is a story, first and foremost about Joshua’s effort to remind his people, and all those who would read this story later — that there are two ways we can live our lives:
One is to honor and glorify God — the other is to glorify ourselves.
And so, when it comes to living a life of blessing, the choice is up to you!
And so, if your life seems to have veered off track, or maybe you seem to wandered outside of the blessings of God. Sometimes getting back on track (spiritually speaking) is as simple as just listening to God and doing what we know is right.
It’s avoiding sin, and rejecting the enemy’s temptations. And it’s just being faithful to do the small things that we know are right…Living in compliance with God’s call.
Doing things like — worshiping Him, and trusting in Him, and honoring His Word.
This really is a great story — because it teaches us that the only way to really live for God’s glory, and thus receive His blessings — is to…
1. CONTINUOUSLY WORSHIP GOD.
As we’ve been studying this great book for several weeks now, I’ve become more and more aware that conquering the land of Canaan was more spiritual than it was physical for Joshua and his nation.
And no act was stronger in the Old Testament for declaring one’s commitment to God and worship Him — than building an altar and making sacrifices to God. In fact, in the OT, altars were often built as a direct result of someone having an direct encounter with God. And so, as Joshua and the people began to possess more of the land, it was time to give credit to Him.
In verse 30 it says “Then Joshua built an altar to the LORD, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal.”
It was important to Joshua that his nation honor worship God. And so, like a father teaching his family how to worship — Joshua taught his nation. But, if the people were going to learn the importance of HONORING GOD, then it would require Joshua to first surrender his plans to God.
Think about it. After Israel had defeated Jericho and Ai, they controlled the eastern and western routes of Canaan.
And from a military perspective, the next logical step would have been to press south and conquer the fortified cities in the mountains below them. But instead, Joshua takes his people north. 30 miles north to Shechem.
This was a counterintuitive move, but it illustrates the principle of “First Things First!” Our human capacities for success and victory will always first be subject to our spiritual capacities of faith — and our willingness to honor God. And that’s what WORSHIP does!
It orients our hearts and minds towards God.
But WORSHIP doesn’t just happen once — and it doesn’t just happen here at church. WORSHIP, genuine worship should be an ongoing daily practice.
- We WORSHIP GOD with our words. And with our deeds.
- We WORSHIP GOD when we sing and when we praise, when we raise our hands, and lift our voices.
- We WORSHIP GOD when we use our skills and talents to serve others, and when we give Him glory for our good deeds.
- We WORSHIP GOD when we live righteously, and reject the temptation to sin.
- We WORSHIP GOD when we treat others with kindness and gentleness.
- We WORSHIP GOD when we are generous and compassionate.
- We WORSHIP GOD when we sacrifice our will to accomplish His.
This and so much more become our acts of worship when we do them to honor God and put Him first.
But these things aren’t things to do and be done. These are ways of life. The acts of worship should be our ongoing daily practices. We must learn to worship God continuously. It’s an ongoing, lifelong commitment. If you want to experience God’s blessings, then worship must be the touch point of our lives.
And it happens best when we lay down our agenda and we take up His.
As I said earlier, this is a great story — because it teaches us that the only way to really receive God’s best and experience His blessings in life is to…CONTINUOUSLY WORSHIP GOD.
So, how are you doing with this? Is WORSHIP on your agenda?
If so, then…let me also encourage you to:
2. CONSISTENTLY KEEP GOD AT THE CENTER.
As the Israelites took the 30-mile walk to Shechem, they found themselves in the beautiful valley between these two great mountains. This valley is about two miles wide. And on either side of it stood the rugged, rocky mountain of Ebaland the green and lush mountain of Gerizim.
And so, on that day — God reminded the people that He had placed before them two distinctly different options. As Deuteronomy 11:26 tells us, God said: “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse” (Deut. 11:26).
So, the one option was a life of blessing (if they followed the ways of the Lord); and the other option was a life of hardship and curse, (if they turned to their own paths of rebellion).
I think visual illustrations are always helpful. I appreciate pictures and demonstrations to clarify concepts. And that’s what God provided them with here. Because sitting between these two mountains (of blessing and curse) was the Ark of the Covenant.
33 All the Israelites, with their elders, officials and judges, were standing on both sides of the ark of the covenant of the Lord, facing the Levitical priests who carried it…Half of the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal…
So the picture was clear — at the center of their lives between the options of blessings or curses sat the Ark of the Covenant — God’s presence. And what they did with God’s presence in their lives would determine their future.
And here’s the point I want to make…the only thing standing between life’s blessings and life’s curses is the presence of God.
What we do with the presence of God will determine our future.
It reminds of a story I once heard about a small turtle that wanted to spend the winter in Florida, but he knew he could never walk that far. So he convinced a couple of geese to help him, each would take one end of a piece of rope, while he clamped his vise-like jaws in the center.
They took off and all was going great until someone spotted the turtle’s flight (from the ground). In admiration they asked, “I wonder who came up with that great idea?” But unable to resist the temptation to take credit for his success, the turtle opened his mouth to shout, “I diiiidddd.”
And here’s the thing. When we become the center of our world. The center of our lives. The center of our thoughts — we are destined for failure. But if we consistently make God the center of our lives, then like Joshua we will experience God’s blessings. And no where is this better demonstrated than when we trust in Him.
As Jeremiah 17:7 says, 7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.
So, the question is — are you keeping God at the center of your life? Is your hope in Him — and Him alone? Have you given Him the place of command in your life? Do you make your decisions by looking first to Him? Are you living your days and your ways for Him? If not, then do that today.
And just a side note. Notice again which side of life the altar was placed. It was established on Mt. Ebal, which represented the curse (or sinfulness). And that’s because, God always meets us where we are.
He does not expect us to GET RIGHT, or MAKE THINGS RIGHT, or BECOME HOLY FIRST!
Instead, He enters into our space, and our sinfulness, and shame, and our waywardness — and He offers us the opportunity to trust Him. He welcomes our worship — and allows us to cross over from cursing to blessing…but only through Him.
That only happens when we put Him at the center of our lives.
And that’s a daily decision. It doesn’t just happen once and then done. It’s about daily choosing to honor God. Daily choosing to serve Him. Daily and continuously allowing Him to take charge and be the center of our lives.
This is a great story — and it teaches us that the only way to receive God’s best and experience His blessings is to: WORSHIP GOD, KEEP HIM AT THE CENTER,
So, how are you doing with this? Who’s at the center of your life? Is it you — or is it God?
Make it God!
And…let me also encourage you to:
3. CONSTANTLY RELY UPON GOD’S WORD.
Verse 34 tells us that it was the Word of God that was proclaimed on that day. It says,
34 Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law.
As the people listened, Joshua took them back to the foundation of God’s Word. He reminded them that their success in life would be expressly connected to their willingness to learn, live by, and love the Word of God.
Unlike the silent pagan god’s of Canaan — their God (Jehovah) spoke to them. But He required that they be respect, receive and respond to His Word. And so, Joshua made it clear on that day — that his nation would make the Word of God their standard!
What about you? Have you made God’s Word your standard?
Listen, we are so blessed to live at a time when God’s Word is so readily available to us. Think about it:
- It’s in print.
- It’s on your computer.
- It’s on your phone.
- You have apps for it.
- You can read it.
- You can listen to it.
- You can carry it with you everywhere you go.
There are really only four ways people tend to respond to God’s Word:
(1) Some people trivialize the Word of God by denying its inspiration and rejecting its authority. They reduce it to little more than a human collection of merely human ideas about human religious experience.
These are those who profess to be Christians who still tend to view Scripture like they do the Queen of England: Simply as someone who holds the top position, but doesn’t really have any power. Some trivialize God’s Word — we must not!
(2) Others seem to trifle with God’s Word. They acknowledge that the Word is inspired but they don’t take it seriously. They pick and choose what they want to believe.
Similarly, for many, the Word of God has no power in their lives. Because they trifle with it. And so, the Bible becomes more a symbol than a standard. But it was never meant to simply decorate your coffee table or be held under your arm at church.
(3) Still others tend to tamper with God’s Word. That is to say, they change it, and reshape it, and make it say what they want it to say.
(4) But God calls us to be those who tremble at His Word. As God states in Isaiah 66:2, “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.” (NLT)
To tremble at God’s Word means to be reverently responsive to it. To honor it. To trust it. And to obey it. Joshua was a man who trembled at God’s Word. May we be like Joshua and constantly rely upon God’s Word!
The Word of God was written because of what it can do in our lives.
2 Tim. 3:16-17 tells us that “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
So trust in God’s Word. And Rely upon God’s Word. For it must be the authority over every area of your life. And just in case you were wondering — the Bible holds supreme authority by virtue of its Author, the one who is the King of creation and Ruler over heaven and earth.
So rely upon God’s Word. Because it was given for you!
But not just you — for all people. That’s why we preach His Word here in this church and beyond our borders to the ends of the earth. Even today’s passage teaches us that God’s Word is for all people.
Just notice who was there listening on that day that Joshua spoke. It was more than just the leaders, the elders, the priests, the army, the heads of households, and the people of God. It was also others who had become a part of their community — and those living near Shechem.
On that day, God’s Word became a new standard for the people’s surrounding them. It revealed to all that God was in charge…and that God’s promises were for all who would trust in Him.
Verse 35 says, 35 There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them.
Did you catch that. Right at the end of that verse there’s a little note…it says, Joshua read the Word of God to everyone — including “the foreigners who lived among them.”
You see, the Word of God wasn’t just for the elite, or the spiritual, or the powerful — it was for everyone. Including those outside of God’s family.
But their exposure to His Word was (in many ways) the beginning of their journey into God’s promises. It was through the Word that they would be introduced to the life-changing power of God’s love, His care, His holiness, and His call to them!
So rely upon God’s Word. More than just information — it offers your life transformation.
So turn to it, trust in it, and rely upon it!
How are you doing with this? Do you take time daily to read and meditate upon God’s Word. If not, start today. Read it when you get up, and read it when you lie down at night.
Think about it, chew one it. And value the Word of God above all things.
Well, this is a great story — and it teaches us that the only way to receive God’s best in life is to: WORSHIP GOD, KEEP HIM AT THE CENTER, and…CONSTANTLY RELY UPON HIS WORD!
CONCLUSION
PRAYER