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.