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Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 30:11-20

Why the Walls Fell

Intro.

1.  Walls:  Signify strength, protection & security (cf. cities of ancient world – cf. Num. 13:28; Deut. 3:5.

2.  Tale of two cities & their walls:  Jericho & Jerusalem.

    a.  Jericho:  1^st victory in Canaan by Israel.

    b.  Jerusalem:  Zion / City of David / City of God.

3.  Why did the wall of each city fall?  (In the answers we a contrast between blessing & curse:

  a.  Jericho:  God’s blessing of victory – Josh. 6:2, 16, 20.

  b.  Jerusalem:  God’s curse against sin – Deut. 28:47-48, 52; 2 Chrn. 36: 15-21.

4.  The church is Zion & her walls “Salvation” (Heb. 12:22-23; Isa. 60:18; 62:6-7).

   -Lesson for Christians of blessing & cursing – Deut. 30:19-20 (Heb. 12:28-29).

I.  WHY DID THE WALLS OF THESE TWO CITIES FALL?  

  A.  Jericho:  Faith – Heb. 11:30.

    1.  Jericho a fortress against eastern invaders.

      a.  Deut. 7:1 – These nations greater & stronger than Israel.

      b.  Trusted God to deliver Israel – Josh. 1:5.

    2.  Our faith will overcome the world – 1 Jno. 5:4.

      a.  Faith to face the enemies of righteousness (fear, trials, error, immorality, etc.).

      b.  Trust God’s deliverance – Eph. 6:10-11.

  B.  Jerusalem:  Faithlessness – Jer. 5:10-13.

    1.  Unbelief was the reason for God’s wrath – Jer. 16:10-13:

      a.  Forsook God / Idols / Disobedient – 16:11.

      b.  Stubborn hearts that didn’t listen to God (proud, self-reliant) – 16:12.

      c.  Just punishment – 16:13.

    2.  No trust in God; Trusted in the walls they built, & were destroyed – Deut. 28:52; Lam. 4:11-12.

    3.  What are we trusting in & serving today:  Materialism (1 Tim. 6:17)?  Human teachings (Gal. 1:8)?  Prestige (Rev. 3:1)?  Self (Rev. 3:17)?  The living God?

  C.  Jericho:  Obedience – Heb. 11:30 (10:39).

    1.  Responsive & submissive to God’s commands – Victorious faith!  (Lk. 6:46; Matt. 7:21)

    2.  Israel trusted God enough to obey Him – so must we! – Heb. 5:9

  D.  Jerusalem:  Disobedience – Jer. 16:11-12; 6:15-17.

    1.  Their idolatry had turned them from God.  Gave Him lip service, but served and worshipped the idols (16:11) – Isa. 29:13-14 (hypocrisy).

    2.  Even in exile their attitude toward God’s word was wrong – Ezek. 33:30-32.

    3.  We must hear God’s word & obey it – Not applaud it & then do as we please! – Jas. 1:21-25   If so, we will be destroyed! - 2 Ths. 1:8

  E.  Jericho:  Purity – Josh. 3:5; 5:8-9.

    1.  Set themselves apart from defilements of flesh & spirit; totally devoted to doing God’s will – Victory was won!

      a.  Circumcision – Sign of God’s covenant with them.

      b.  Thus identified as God’s people; 5:9 – Reproach removed!

    2.  2 Cor. 6:17-7:1 – We must do likewise (Rom. 6:22).

  F.  Jerusalem:  Defilement – Lam. 1:8-9.

    1.  Isa. 59:1-4 – Her sins separated her from God & brought His wrath upon her.

    2.  When we defile ourselves with sin the enemy has breached God’s wall of protection around us (cf. Ezek. 42:20; 44:23); cf. 2 Pet. 2:20-22.

    3.  Perfect holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor. 7:1).

  G.  Jericho:  Self-denial – Josh. 6:3-4.

    1.  No small task for 600,000 soldiers to compass city daily (hot, dry, crowded, silent, etc.).

    2.  Could have said, “Ridiculous!”  (cf. Naaman, 2 Kgs. 5:10-13)

       -Willingly sacrificed personal feelings, ideas & comfort.

    3.  Lk. 9:23 – Daily denial of self.

  H.  Jerusalem:  Self-indulgence – Ezek. 7:19.

    1.  That with which they had indulged themselves would not satisfy nor deliver them in the “day of the Lord’s wrath” (Zeph. 1:18).

    2.  The world & its sins cannot satisfy - 1 Jno. 2:15-17.

    3.  We need self-control – Jas. 4:1-4.

    4.  Self-indulgent lifestyle surely brings wrath! – Eph. 5:3-7 (The walls will fall!)

Conclusion

1.  Deut. 11:26-28:  Like Israel, a blessing & a curse are set before us:

   -Rom. 11:22-

  a.  Victory in Christ (faith, obedience, purity & self-denial).

  b.  Wrath from God (faithless, disobedience, defilement, self-indulgence).

2.  God’s wall of safety rises up around His church (remnant of grace) – Jer. 15:19-21.  Her walls are “Salvation”!  (Isa. 60:18)

3.  Find safety in Christ – be saved now.