Mosaic Baptist Church
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All Rights Reserved 2020
Resources | Studies | Insects of the Bible
The Hornet
Exodus 23:28, Deuteronomy 7:20,
Joshua 24:12, 2 Chronicles 16:9
Raleigh L. Campbell
Introduction
1. The hornet is mentioned only three times in Scripture and each time in connection with driving enemies from before Israel.
2. The Lord used the hornet because of its character. It is a medium-sized insect that has a most severe sting, has a strong disposition to fight and is very fast in flight. This makes the hornet a formidable opponent from which to flee. Hornets are also very organized.
3. The hornet describes how God was going to work in the conquest of Canaan. God’s people could expect their victories to come because of the direct intervention of God at work for them. Deuteronomy 1:30 Deuteronomy 3:22 – 24.
I. The hornet reveals God has a combative spirit. He is aggressive. It is better that He is FOR you than AGAINST you.
1. So often we are led to believe that God is “soft.” That He wants things to go well so badly He won't rise up to fight or combat for a cause.
2. It is this spirit that leads people to lose their respect or fear of God. It is this spirit that leads people to flaunt God's Word and God’s will.
3. It is therefore good for us to be reminded God has a combative spirit.
A. He has a combative spirit in leading his people to overcome evil for victory – possessing our possessions.
Notice his effect on the people of Jericho Joshua 3:10 4:24 4:14 2:10-12, 24.
Notice the victory over the Gibeonites Joshua 9:22-24.
B. He has a combative spirit against evil and sin. God will breathe his wrath on his own people when they engage in sin. His anger will wax hot against them.
Illustration: God leaving Israel on their own to suffer defeat because of Achan’s sin Joshua 6.
C. As long as his people were prayerful, seeking his guidance, dependent on him and not confident in the flesh (self-confident). Disobedience takes on many forms. Here it was “hands-off.” Can be separation.
D. God is combative against Satan's temptation and subtle attacks. God is aggressive.
Illustration: Jesus in the Lord’s Prayer says to pray the Lord will not allow us to fall into temptation, but we have a faithful high priest if we do who can give grace to help in time of need.
E. God is disposed to fight FOR and THROUGH his people and against sin.
II. The hornet reminds us of God's power and direct intervention Joshua 10:5,8-10-13,30,32,42 Joshua 11:6-9.
1. From these verses we see God coming up on the scene to turn the events to favor Israel.
2. The people were told to be courageous – to believe the word of the Lord and proceed upon his word.
3. We must remember God sees the whole picture from beginning to end and He for several reasons will directly intervene in our lives.
Illustration: As though you were watching water from a hose make its way across the garden. You see it come out, know where it’s going. You reach down and direct the water.
A. God directly intervenes to aid his children. Joshua 24 He is on our side when we are performing his will and works for our benefit.
B. He directly intervenes to bring answers to prayer.
C. He directly intervenes when He must exercise his judgment on or his wrath or chastisement.
D. He directly intervenes to show himself as our God and make us trust him more. How his presence gave heart and courage to Israel. See him as captain of hosts Joshua 5:13-15.
III. Reminds us to continue in way of the Lord Joshua 24:12-15.
1. Canaan was now theirs because of the presence of the Lord to fight for Israel, 12.
2. A review of this mighty conquest should serve as an incentive for fear, respect and service, 14-15.
3. Called on to choose who they will serve, 15. Now then they served for a long time but they soon grew careless and lax and brought to accept way of God's enemy.
4. These people began to mix with their enemy. Soon their convictions were watered down and fell into the hands of enemy.
5. These are Satan's tactics today – to lull us to sleep or make us sentimental about God's cause or word or make us soft and easy-going and then we fall.
IV. We need the hornet among us today.
1. It would get the attention off of ourselves.
2. It would stimulate some activity.
3. It would make us know of the real, personal presence of the Lord with us.
Illustration: As I was walking across a parking lot, I heard a loud, bloodcurdling scream coming from a car. I looked and doors flew open, and people piled out. One cried, “There’s a bee in the car!” The bee’s presence brought action! All were aware of its presence. All respected it and all submitted to its presence.
Teamwork: The story is told of a man who performed several dangerous tasks for a woman who employed him to prepare an old barn for use. He killed a deadly snake and a poisonous spider in the coaxed a huge bull into a pen. One last duty, however, he refused to perform because he claimed it was too dangerous. This task was removing a hornets’ nest. Surprised at his fear she asked him why, since he’d done everything else she asked.
“Ma'am, I ain't afraid of snakes or bulls were spiders, but I is terrorized of hornets because they is organized!” Teamwork can make a lot of difference. Truly we see great changes come about if we really flock to the task as the hornets do!
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Exodus 23:28, Deuteronomy 7:20,
Joshua 24:12, 2 Chronicles 16:9
Raleigh L. Campbell
Introduction
1. The hornet is mentioned only three times in Scripture and each time in connection with driving enemies from before Israel.
2. The Lord used the hornet because of its character. It is a medium-sized insect that has a most severe sting, has a strong disposition to fight and is very fast in flight. This makes the hornet a formidable opponent from which to flee. Hornets are also very organized.
3. The hornet describes how God was going to work in the conquest of Canaan. God’s people could expect their victories to come because of the direct intervention of God at work for them. Deuteronomy 1:30 Deuteronomy 3:22 – 24.
I. The hornet reveals God has a combative spirit. He is aggressive. It is better that He is FOR you than AGAINST you.
1. So often we are led to believe that God is “soft.” That He wants things to go well so badly He won't rise up to fight or combat for a cause.
2. It is this spirit that leads people to lose their respect or fear of God. It is this spirit that leads people to flaunt God's Word and God’s will.
3. It is therefore good for us to be reminded God has a combative spirit.
A. He has a combative spirit in leading his people to overcome evil for victory – possessing our possessions.
Notice his effect on the people of Jericho Joshua 3:10 4:24 4:14 2:10-12, 24.
Notice the victory over the Gibeonites Joshua 9:22-24.
B. He has a combative spirit against evil and sin. God will breathe his wrath on his own people when they engage in sin. His anger will wax hot against them.
Illustration: God leaving Israel on their own to suffer defeat because of Achan’s sin Joshua 6.
C. As long as his people were prayerful, seeking his guidance, dependent on him and not confident in the flesh (self-confident). Disobedience takes on many forms. Here it was “hands-off.” Can be separation.
D. God is combative against Satan's temptation and subtle attacks. God is aggressive.
Illustration: Jesus in the Lord’s Prayer says to pray the Lord will not allow us to fall into temptation, but we have a faithful high priest if we do who can give grace to help in time of need.
E. God is disposed to fight FOR and THROUGH his people and against sin.
II. The hornet reminds us of God's power and direct intervention Joshua 10:5,8-10-13,30,32,42 Joshua 11:6-9.
1. From these verses we see God coming up on the scene to turn the events to favor Israel.
2. The people were told to be courageous – to believe the word of the Lord and proceed upon his word.
3. We must remember God sees the whole picture from beginning to end and He for several reasons will directly intervene in our lives.
Illustration: As though you were watching water from a hose make its way across the garden. You see it come out, know where it’s going. You reach down and direct the water.
A. God directly intervenes to aid his children. Joshua 24 He is on our side when we are performing his will and works for our benefit.
B. He directly intervenes to bring answers to prayer.
C. He directly intervenes when He must exercise his judgment on or his wrath or chastisement.
D. He directly intervenes to show himself as our God and make us trust him more. How his presence gave heart and courage to Israel. See him as captain of hosts Joshua 5:13-15.
III. Reminds us to continue in way of the Lord Joshua 24:12-15.
1. Canaan was now theirs because of the presence of the Lord to fight for Israel, 12.
2. A review of this mighty conquest should serve as an incentive for fear, respect and service, 14-15.
3. Called on to choose who they will serve, 15. Now then they served for a long time but they soon grew careless and lax and brought to accept way of God's enemy.
4. These people began to mix with their enemy. Soon their convictions were watered down and fell into the hands of enemy.
5. These are Satan's tactics today – to lull us to sleep or make us sentimental about God's cause or word or make us soft and easy-going and then we fall.
IV. We need the hornet among us today.
1. It would get the attention off of ourselves.
2. It would stimulate some activity.
3. It would make us know of the real, personal presence of the Lord with us.
Illustration: As I was walking across a parking lot, I heard a loud, bloodcurdling scream coming from a car. I looked and doors flew open, and people piled out. One cried, “There’s a bee in the car!” The bee’s presence brought action! All were aware of its presence. All respected it and all submitted to its presence.
Teamwork: The story is told of a man who performed several dangerous tasks for a woman who employed him to prepare an old barn for use. He killed a deadly snake and a poisonous spider in the coaxed a huge bull into a pen. One last duty, however, he refused to perform because he claimed it was too dangerous. This task was removing a hornets’ nest. Surprised at his fear she asked him why, since he’d done everything else she asked.
“Ma'am, I ain't afraid of snakes or bulls were spiders, but I is terrorized of hornets because they is organized!” Teamwork can make a lot of difference. Truly we see great changes come about if we really flock to the task as the hornets do!
Visit Mosaic's Blog to Join the Conversation!
Be Social and Share!
