Interlocked (2023)

Last week we heard about how our actions bring on much of our own suffering. Tonight we're going to hear about several categories of undeserved suffering and how God uses them for our benefit. For unbelievers, God uses suffering as a wake-up call to turn them to faith in Christ. For believers, this suffering can motivate us to spiritual growth. We need to remember that we are being observed by others when we suffer to see if we are trusting God and are joyful.

The PDF for Lesson #20 is available in the Text: notes link below.

Events #5–7:

5) Defeat at Ai;

6) The Longest Day;

7) God Postpones the Kingdom at Bochim

Why did the Israelites constantly get into trouble during their conquest of the land? Listen to this lesson to hear about several times when they disobeyed God and disaster occurred, beginning with Achan and the conquest of Ai. Hear how his punishment affected his whole family. Learn about the longest day in the Bible when Joshua was tricked by the Gibeonites and God slowed down time for a day. Understand that incomplete obedience to God is the same as disobedience.

• Total Destruction was Necessary;

• Total Destruction in God’s War;

• God’s War Foreshadows Eternal Judgment

Why did God command the Israelites to kill every man, woman, and child in the Canaanite people groups? Listen to this lesson to learn that the Canaanites worshiped idols and even sacrificed their own children alive in fire. Hear how God gave them 400 years of grace to change their minds, but they continued to become ever increasingly evil until they had to be destroyed. Understand this foreshadows God’s final judgment on all evil.