house 26But house 26But of Israel. came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. he answered and said, It is not meet to take the 27And children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. 28Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

## Salvation is by way of the Lord’s Mercy because we all deserve death. Reference Romans 5:12-21 We also receive GRACE.

John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

- 2. 2. Grace Extended And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them.”
- - Mercy offered a new identity to the Canaanites in a role amongst God’s people. Reference Joshua 9:23 and 9:27

By MERCY their lives are saved and by GRACE they have been given a new identity. By MERCY and GRACE we are saved and given a new identity!!

#### Romans Romans 6:23 the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. [we deserve death] 8For Ephesians 2:8 by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [we are saved by grace] 9Not Ephesians 2:9 of works, lest any man should boast. [not by works that we do]

- 3. Accountability for Sin Revealed [Reference Joshua 9:22] “… ye beguiled us…”
- - These deceivers stand before Joshua. (an O.T. type of Christ) and he is confronting them with their sin.
- - There are consequences of their deception… [Reference Joshua 9:23] “…Now therefore ye are cursed…”

#### Romans Romans 3:20 by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Remember how Jesus tested the faith of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15? “It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.” Matthew 15:26. Their “curse” would be that they get to serve the one true God.

- 4. Contrite and Humble Response (Contrite means remorseful and repentant) [Reference Joshua 9:24]
- - An insight into the heart of God’s enemies… they fear Him and want to make peace!!
- - Our reverential faith in our Savior that gives us eternal life. Look up Psalm 51:4, see what David said.
- - When we understand our sin, we humble cry out for mercy.
- - The Publican in Luke 18:13-14
- - God requires a humble and contrite heart from those who come to Him. [Reference Isaiah 57:15]

## Salvation requires a heart of submission and humility, seen in the Hivites…

#### 25 And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do.

God always keeps His promises: Reference John 3:16-17, Luke 24:44-47 The Hivite kings have true repentance and submission to the will of God.

- 5. 5. Servants of the Lord – Joshua 9:26-27 so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, 27 that they slew them not. And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.

These Pagan people were the enemies of God and headed for death and are now redeemed from their sins by Joshua and given a new identity as servants of God!

He changed the story of these undeserving people and gave them life. [Joshua 9:27]

## Has He changed your story from one of death…unto life?