Pastor Gbenga Aluko
Text: Joshua 6:1-27
This will be done with the following Sub-headings:
* What is arm of flesh?
* Brief on Jericho's wall
* Why the wall fell?
* A few examples of others who trusted in the arm of flesh
* Don't trust your arm of flesh
What is arm of flesh
l A phrase for human strength or aid (public domain)
l The arm of flesh is any human created, sponsored, or related support, be it: skill, resources, finance, education, power, relationship, infrastructure, technological capacities/prowess.
l This is what the fallen man would see after making the unwise decision to remove God from existence, achievement and position. For instance, Nebuchadnezar (Dan 4:28ff); The rich fool (Luke 12:16ff).
Are there appearance of the Arm of flesh in and around you? If yes be wary of them.
Brief on Jericho's Wall
l Made up of stones from a hill (hills are most time rocky)(The Lord is the rock eternal Is.26:4 NIV)
l It was the oldest wall of that magnitude dating back to 8000 BCE (Before Common Era)/7001BC (Before Christ), it can be referred to as the earliest technological building.
l It was 13 feet high and six feet wide ( 13 feet is the full height of an averagely standard one storeyed building in the Uk).
l The ruins/site was designated as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2023 (the site is located in the Jordan rift valley, 1.5km north of modern Jericho and 10km north west of the dead sea)
This amongst others tells why they relied on this arm of flesh, who would have this and not want to lean on it, they however failed gallantly. Don't follow this inglorious path.
Why the wall fell
Is God against human achievement/effort/skill?
No build houses and live in them appeared several times in the scriptures : Is 65:17,Jer.29:5,Ezek.28:26 e.t.c the famous Solomon's temple was built 1Kings 6:1ff.
l The wall stood on the way of God's age-long promise for His beloved people (Gen12:7,15:18-21).
l God reiterated this to them while around the area (Joshua 6:2).
l God's people believed God and were obedient to divine instruction given to them per time even towards the fall (Joshua6:6ff,Is.1:19).
A few examples of others who trusted in the arm of flesh
l The man on whose arm the king leaned (2 kings 7:1ff)
l Samson thought it was his muscles that gives him victory (Judges 16:20ff)
l Nebuchadnezar thought he had it all together. His power and influence got to his head (Dan.3:15)
l Peter at the river before Jesus showed up (Luke 5:4ff)
Don't be an addition to these negative list.
Don't trust your arm of flesh
Are we saying that we should discard our efforts/skill, God given strength and connections? No!
Have them but don't trust in any arm of flesh whether in you or around you (Jer.17:5-8, Psalm 146:3). As we approach a new year have/learn skill/strength nourish relationships, employ and deploy God given edges but take your eyes off the hill but look unto God (1Sam.2:9) ONLY GOD CAN BE FULLY TRUSTED (Rom.10:11).