Teaching

Joshua

Claiming God's Promises Together

Pastor Paul LeBoutillier

Life Bible Ministry · April 18, 2026

Video Coming Soon

Audio and transcript are available below

Discover how the book of Joshua reveals God's unwavering promises and His desire for us to step into a life of victory and purpose through faith. Join us on this transformative journey!

THE PATH OF PROMISE g A Study of the Book of Joshua by Sue LeBoutillier CopyrightÊ©Ê2020ÊSueÊLeBouƟllier PublishedÊby: CalvaryÊChapelÊÊ—ÊOntario,ÊOregon g The Path of Promise g Joshua DearÊFriend, WelcomeÊtoÊourÊWomenÊofÊtheÊWordÊBibleÊStudyÊinÊtheÊBookÊofÊÊ Joshua.ÊIÊtrulyÊbelieveÊthatÊstudyingÊJoshuaÊisÊoneÊofÊtheÊmostÊthrillingÊ andÊusefulÊOldÊTestamentÊBibleÊexperiencesÊaÊChrisƟanÊcanÊhave,ÊandÊ I’mÊgladÊthatÊyouÊwillÊbeÊjoiningÊus. JoshuaÊisÊtheÊsixthÊbookÊofÊtheÊOldÊTestamentÊandÊtheÊfirstÊbookÊweÊ runÊintoÊnamedÊaŌerÊaÊperson;ÊbutÊdon’tÊthinkÊofÊitÊasÊaÊbiography.Ê WhileÊJoshuaÊisÊaÊprominentÊfigureÊandÊyou’llÊdiscoverÊaÊcompellingÊ reasonÊforÊhisÊname,ÊthisÊbookÊisn’tÊabout him.ÊThisÊbookÊisÊaboutÊ GodÊkeepingÊHisÊpromisesÊ—Êthat’sÊwhyÊourÊsub-ƟtleÊisÊThe Path of Promise.Ê AsÊwe’veÊbeenÊstudyingÊtheÊBible,Êwe’veÊoŌenÊreferredÊtoÊitsÊhistoryÊ asÊGod’sÊUnfoldingÊPlanÊofÊRedempƟon.ÊGod’sÊstoryÊunfoldsÊwithÊeachÊ chapterÊandÊbook,ÊlikeÊanÊold-schoolÊroadÊmapÊonÊyourÊlapÊthatÊ showsÊmoreÊterritoryÊasÊyouÊunfoldÊeachÊcrease.ÊThisÊsecƟonÊofÊtheÊ mapÊnotÊonlyÊgivesÊaÊbroaderÊviewÊofÊhistory,ÊbutÊhelpsÊusÊmakeÊ senseÊofÊtheÊterritoryÊwe’veÊalreadyÊcovered. CenturiesÊbeforeÊJoshua,ÊGodÊpromisedÊtheÊlandÊinÊCanaanÊtoÊAbra- hamÊasÊaÊpossessionÊforÊallÊhisÊgeneraƟonsÊtoÊcome.ÊAlongsideÊthatÊ promise,ÊGodÊalsoÊtoldÊAbrahamÊthatÊhisÊkidsÊwouldÊbeÊinÊforÊaÊpro- longedÊbondageÊinÊaÊcountryÊnotÊtheirÊown;ÊbutÊitÊwouldÊbeÊfollowedÊ byÊaÊdecisiveÊdeliverance.ÊThoseÊthingsÊhappenedÊjustÊtheÊwayÊGodÊ saidÊtheyÊwould,ÊinÊourÊpreviousÊstudiesÊinÊExodusÊandÊNumbers.Ê Now,ÊfollowingÊaÊtragicÊ38-yearÊdelayÊinÊtheÊWildernessÊdueÊtoÊdis- obedienceÊandÊlackÊofÊfaith,ÊIsraelÊfinallyÊcrossesÊtheÊJordanÊRiverÊandÊ claimsÊitsÊinheritance.ÊButÊtheÊpeopleÊwon’tÊaccomplishÊitÊwithÊtheirÊ ownÊcunningÊorÊsuperiorÊmilitaryÊstrategies.ÊWe’llÊseeÊGodÊfightÊtheirÊ baƩlesÊandÊgraceÊthemÊwithÊmiraculousÊblessings.ÊAndÊtheyÊwillÊlearnÊ evenÊmoreÊaboutÊtheirÊGodÊandÊHisÊKingdomÊalongÊtheÊway.

TheÊBiblicalÊhistoryÊinÊJoshuaÊisÊinteresƟngÊandÊbringsÊaÊfulfillmentÊtoÊ God’sÊpromises,ÊbutÊtheÊmostÊimportantÊthingÊtoÊnoteÊwillÊbeÊthatÊitÊ wasÊnotÊGod’sÊintenƟonÊtoÊdeliverÊthemÊfromÊbondageÊandÊthenÊre- leaseÊthemÊtoÊpickÊandÊchooseÊtheirÊwayÊthroughÊlife.ÊNo!ÊInÊDeuter- onomyÊ6:23,ÊMosesÊtoldÊthem,Ê“He brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fa- thers.” GodÊhadÊaÊpurposeÊandÊaÊplanÊforÊtheÊpeopleÊHeÊhadÊchosen. GodÊalsoÊdoesÊnotÊsaveÊus outÊofÊtheÊworldÊinÊorderÊtoÊjustÊletÊusÊgoÊ ourÊmerryÊway.ÊHeÊhasÊaÊpurposeÊandÊaÊplanÊforÊus.ÊHisÊdesireÊisÊthatÊ weÊwouldÊyieldÊourselvesÊbyÊfaithÊandÊstepÊintoÊtheÊlifeÊofÊvictoryÊandÊ restÊinÊourÊspiritualÊlivesÊthatÊHeÊhasÊplannedÊforÊus. WhereverÊyouÊareÊandÊwhoeverÊyou’reÊstudyingÊwith,ÊIÊprayÊthatÊtheÊ LordÊwillÊrichlyÊblessÊyou,ÊasÊyouÊdigÊintoÊtheÊbookÊofÊJoshuaÊthatÊÊÊÊÊ describesÊThe Path of Promise. Sue LeBoutillier sue@ccontario.com *TheÊbestÊtranslaƟonÊofÊtheÊBibleÊtoÊuseÊisÊtheÊoneÊyouÊunderstandÊ theÊmostÊÊeasily—andÊusingÊmoreÊthanÊoneÊtranslaƟonÊcanÊbeÊaÊgreatÊ aidÊtoÊstudy!ÊThisÊstudyÊguideÊwasÊcreatedÊusingÊtheÊESVÊ (EnglishÊStandardÊVersion),ÊwhichÊmayÊbeÊaÊhelpfulÊtoolÊ asÊyouÊworkÊthroughÊyourÊstudy.ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ ToÊwatchÊtheÊvideoÊteachingsÊforÊthisÊBibleÊStudyÊgoÊto:ÊÊ ccontario.com/womens-studiesÊÊ orÊÊÊ YouTube.com/calvarychapelontario

WeekÊ1:ÊÊIntroducƟonÊ—ÊTheÊPathÊofÊPromise……….……..p.6 WeekÊ2:ÊÊJoshuaÊ1-2………………….…….…………………………….p.8 WeekÊ3:ÊÊJoshuaÊ3-5…………………..………………………………..p.20 WeekÊ4:ÊÊJoshuaÊ6…………………..…………………………………..p.32 WeekÊ5:ÊÊJoshuaÊ7-8……………...…………………………………...p.42 WeekÊ6:ÊÊJoshuaÊ9-10……………………………………...………….p.54 WeekÊ7:ÊÊJoshuaÊ11-21………………………………...……………..p.66 WeekÊ8:ÊÊJoshuaÊ22………………..…………………………………...p.76 WeekÊ9:ÊÊJoshuaÊ23-24………………………...……………………..p.84 Table of Contents

Map of Israel Entering the Promised Land (This page is for note-taking during the IntroducƟon) TheÊBibleÊexplainsÊtheÊ_______________ÊstoryÊofÊ________Êplan. GenesisÊgivesÊusÊtheÊhistoryÊofÊGod’sÊpeople fromÊ_________ÊÊtoÊÊ__________. InÊtheÊfirstÊhalfÊofÊExodus,ÊweÊfollowÊIsrael fromÊ__________ÊtoÊ_________Ê. TheÊWildernessÊWayÊchroniclesÊIsrael’sÊjourneyÊÊ fromÊMt.ÊSinaiÊtoÊtheÊbanksÊofÊtheÊ____________ÊRiver. TheÊreasonÊIsrael’sÊjourneyÊthroughÊtheÊWildernessÊtookÊ40Êyears,Ê ratherÊthanÊ11Êdays,ÊisÊallÊbecauseÊofÊÊ__________________. JoshuaÊisÊtheÊfirstÊbookÊofÊtheÊBibleÊtoÊbeÊnamedÊaŌerÊaÊperson.Ê Joshua’sÊgivenÊnameÊwasÊHosea,ÊwhichÊwasÊchangedÊtoÊJoshua.Ê HosheaÊmeans:Ê_____________________________________ JoshuaÊmeans:ÊÊ_____________________________________ GodÊbroughtÊtheÊIsraelitesÊ______ÊofÊEgyptÊsoÊthatÊHeÊmightÊbringÊ themÊ______ÊtoÊtheÊlandÊofÊvictoryÊandÊrest.ÊGodÊdesiresÊtoÊbringÊusÊ outÊofÊbondageÊtoÊ_______ÊsoÊthatÊweÊmightÊenjoyÊtheÊ____________Ê ofÊGod.ÊThisÊisÊtheÊPathÊofÊPromise. Week 1 — Introduction — The Path of Promise —

________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Notes for Teaching on Week 1 —

NowÊthatÊwe’veÊsharedÊanÊoverviewÊofÊthisÊbookÊofÊtheÊBible,Êwe’reÊ readyÊtoÊbeginÊourÊverse-by-verse,Êchapter-by-chapterÊreadingÊandÊ invesƟgaƟonÊofÊtheÊScriptures.Ê CanÊIÊjustÊencourageÊyouÊtoÊprayÊeachÊdayÊbeforeÊyouÊevenÊreadÊtheÊ assignedÊScriptures?ÊItÊdoesn’tÊhaveÊtoÊbeÊaÊlongÊprayer,ÊaÊsimpleÊ earnestÊrequestÊwillÊdo.ÊAskÊGodÊtoÊgiveÊyouÊfocus,ÊteachÊyou,ÊandÊ helpÊyouÊapplyÊwhatÊyouÊread.ÊIÊthinkÊyouÊwillÊbeÊamazedÊatÊwhatÊGodÊ showsÊyou!Ê a READÊJoshuaÊ1:1-9.ÊÊIfÊthoseÊversesÊsoundÊfamiliar,Êit’sÊbecauseÊ weÊjustÊhandledÊthemÊinÊourÊintroducƟon.ÊButÊsimplyÊlisteningÊtoÊaÊ teachingÊcan’tÊcompareÊtoÊstudyingÊitÊourselves,ÊsoÊwe’llÊuseÊthisÊfirstÊ dayÊofÊpersonalÊstudyÊtoÊgoÊoverÊtheseÊnineÊversesÊforÊourselves.ÊÊ · InÊtheÊfirstÊverse,ÊwhatÊwasÊtheÊphraseÊusedÊtoÊdescribeÊMoses’Ê relaƟonshipÊtoÊtheÊLord? · WhatÊwasÊJoshua’sÊrelaƟonshipÊtoÊMoses? · God’sÊservantsÊdie,ÊbutÊGod’sÊworkÊneverÊdies,ÊitÊmerelyÊchangesÊ hands.ÊWhatÊwasÊtheÊassignmentÊGodÊgaveÊtoÊJoshua? InÊv.5,ÊGodÊdescribedÊtheÊsimilarityÊinÊHisÊpromisesÊtoÊbothÊmenÊwhenÊ HeÊsaid,Ê“just as I was with _________, so I will be with ________.” IfÊyouÊwereÊchosenÊtoÊassumeÊaÊministry,ÊorÊevenÊtakeÊoverÊaÊsimpleÊ projectÊfromÊsomeoneÊwhoÊhadÊbeenÊaÊspiritualÊgiantÊinÊyourÊeyes,Ê whatÊtypesÊofÊemoƟonsÊmightÊbeÊswirlingÊaroundÊinÊyourÊhead? Week 2 — Joshua 1-2 Day 1: God Commands Joshua

WeÊgetÊtheÊsenseÊthatÊGodÊanƟcipatedÊJoshua’sÊemoƟonsÊasÊHeÊlaidÊ outÊinstrucƟonsÊandÊpromises: · MakeÊaÊlistÊofÊanyÊinstrucƟonsÊthatÊyouÊseeÊfromÊGodÊtoÊJoshua: · MakeÊaÊlistÊofÊanyÊpromisesÊyouÊseeÊfromÊGodÊtoÊJoshua: · AreÊthereÊcondiƟonsÊtoÊthoseÊpromises?ÊÊIfÊso,ÊwhatÊareÊthey? ReadÊPsalmÊ1:1-3ÊandÊdescribeÊparallelsÊyouÊseeÊwithÊtheÊaboveÊ instrucƟonsÊandÊpromises. GoÊbackÊoverÊtheseÊversesÊandÊdrawÊaÊliƩleÊbarbellÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊtoÊ representÊstrength nearÊeachÊoccurrenceÊofÊ“Be strong and courageous”.ÊÊWhatÊisÊtheÊtotalÊcount?ÊÊ__________ NowÊgoÊbackÊandÊdrawÊaÊsimpleÊcloudÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊrepresenƟngÊtheÊ presenceÊofÊGodÊnearÊeachÊoccurrenceÊofÊGod going with them/being with them/ not leaving them.ÊÊWhatÊisÊtheÊtotalÊcount?ÊÊ___________ InÊoneÊsentence,ÊsummarizeÊwhatÊGodÊspokeÊtoÊJoshua: Memory Verse — Week Two — Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

a READÊJoshuaÊ1:10-15.ÊJoshuaÊisÊoneÊofÊonlyÊtwoÊIsraelites,ÊsƟllÊ livingÊatÊthisÊpoint,ÊwhoÊhadÊalreadyÊset foot inÊtheÊpromisedÊland.ÊIÊ wonderÊifÊthatÊgaveÊhimÊsomeÊcredibilityÊinÊcommandingÊtheÊnaƟon. · SummarizeÊhisÊinstrucƟonsÊtoÊtheÊwholeÊassemblyÊinÊv.11: TheÊReubenites,ÊtheÊGaditesÊandÊtheÊhalf-tribeÊofÊManassehÊhadÊ askedÊspecialÊpermissionÊofÊMosesÊinÊNumbersÊ32ÊtoÊseƩleÊrightÊ whereÊtheyÊwereÊinÊtheÊlandÊofÊGilead,ÊwhichÊwasÊonÊtheirÊcurrentÊ sideÊofÊtheÊJordan.Ê · SummarizeÊJoshua’sÊspecialÊinstrucƟonsÊtoÊthemÊinÊv.14-15: GoÊbackÊandÊwriteÊaÊcapitalÊ‘P’ÊnearÊeachÊoccurrenceÊofÊpossessÊorÊ take possession.ÊInÊourÊculture,ÊweÊoŌenÊuseÊtheÊphrase,Ê‘take possession’,ÊtoÊreferÊtoÊaÊrealÊestateÊtransacƟonÊ—Ê“When do you take possession of your new home?” TheÊphraseÊimpliesÊthatÊallÊofÊtheÊ upfrontÊworkÊhasÊbeenÊdoneÊ—ÊinspecƟons,ÊƟtleÊsearch,ÊfinancingÊ—Ê allÊthatÊremainsÊisÊtoÊgetÊkeys,ÊpossessÊtheÊhouseÊandÊbuildÊmemories! GodÊactuallyÊdidÊallÊofÊtheÊupfront work onÊthisÊlandÊasÊwell.ÊReadÊ GenesisÊ15:7,Ê18-21.ÊGodÊpromisedÊthisÊveryÊlandÊtoÊAbraham’sÊ descendantsÊtoÊpossessÊ—ÊitÊwasÊaÊpromise. · WhatÊtypesÊofÊthingsÊhasÊGodÊpromisedÊtoÊyou, ifÊyouÊwouldÊ simplyÊÊpossessÊtheÊpromises? Day 2: Joshua Commands Israel a READÊJoshuaÊ1:16-18.Ê · SummarizeÊIsrael’sÊresponseÊtoÊJoshuaÊinÊoneÊsentence: IfÊyouÊdidÊourÊBibleÊStudy,ÊWildernessÊWay,ÊyouÊrememberÊIsrael’sÊ responseÊtheÊfirst ƟmeÊtheyÊwereÊinvitedÊtoÊpossessÊtheÊPromisedÊ Land.ÊRememberÊtheÊ12Êspies?ÊOneÊfromÊeachÊtribe?ÊJoshuaÊwasÊoneÊ ofÊthoseÊspiesÊrepresenƟngÊtheÊtribeÊofÊEphraim.ÊOnlyÊheÊandÊCalebÊ hadÊbroughtÊbackÊaÊposiƟve reportÊofÊtheÊland.Ê READÊNumbersÊ14:1-4. · SummarizeÊtheirÊresponseÊtoÊtheÊspyÊreportÊthirty-eightÊyearsÊago: READÊNumbersÊ14:22-24. · SummarizeÊGod’sÊresponseÊtoÊIsrael’sÊdisobedience: · HowÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊtheÊmemoryÊofÊthatÊfirstÊdisobedienceÊmayÊhaveÊ shapedÊtheirÊresponseÊinÊv.18ÊofÊthisÊchapter? Let’sÊpretendÊforÊaÊmomentÊthatÊyou’reÊpartÊofÊthisÊnaƟon.ÊLet’sÊsayÊ you’reÊ32ÊyearsÊoldÊatÊthisÊmoment.ÊYouÊwereÊbornÊinÊtheÊWilderness.Ê YouÊheardÊstoriesÊofÊKadeshÊBarnea.ÊYouÊalwaysÊheardÊthatÊGodÊ wouldÊprovideÊaÊwayÊoutÊofÊtheÊwilderness,ÊandÊnowÊyouÊhearÊtheÊ commandÊtoÊgetÊreadyÊtoÊleaveÊinÊthreeÊdays.ÊHowÊwouldÊyouÊfeel? WriteÊoutÊtheÊfinalÊfiveÊwordsÊofÊchapterÊoneÊandÊworkÊonÊyourÊ memoryÊverseÊforÊthisÊweek: ÊÊÊÊÊÊ ______________________________________________________ a READÊJoshuaÊ2:1-11.ÊLookÊatÊthat!ÊJoshuaÊsentÊspiesÊintoÊtheÊ landÊjustÊlikeÊtheyÊhadÊ38ÊyearsÊago.ÊButÊthisÊƟme,ÊheÊwasn’tÊoneÊofÊ them... · ThisÊƟme,ÊtheÊnumberÊwasn’tÊtwelve,ÊitÊwasÊ_______. · ThisÊƟme,ÊtheyÊwentÊinÊsecret. · ThisÊƟme,ÊJoshuaÊwasÊparƟcularlyÊinterestedÊinÊtheÊcityÊofÊ_____. · WhereÊdidÊtheÊspiesÊspendÊtheÊnight? IfÊyouÊwentÊundercoverÊtoÊgatherÊintelligenceÊinÊtheÊenemy’sÊterritoryÊ andÊyourÊovernightÊchoicesÊwere:Ê1)ÊtheÊcomfortableÊHolidayÊInnÊthatÊ wouldÊcertainlyÊrecordÊyourÊrentalÊcar:Êmake,ÊmodelÊandÊlicenseÊplate;Ê orÊ2)ÊaÊ‘don’tÊask,Êdon’tÊtell,ÊcashÊonly’Êmotel;ÊwhichÊoneÊmightÊyouÊ choose?ÊYep,Êthat’sÊprobablyÊwhyÊtheÊspiesÊwentÊwithÊRahab.ÊAreÊyouÊ geƫngÊtheÊsenseÊthatÊitÊwasÊlessÊaboutÊaÊchoiceÊandÊmoreÊaboutÊaÊ divineÊappointment? · SummarizeÊRahab’sÊacƟonsÊtowardÊtheÊtwoÊmenÊofÊIsrael: · SummarizeÊRahab’sÊconversaƟonÊwithÊtheÊking’sÊmen: Let’sÊseeÊifÊweÊcanÊpickÊupÊsomeÊinsightsÊaboutÊRahab.ÊLastÊweek,ÊweÊ learnedÊthatÊJoshua’sÊnameÊhadÊbeenÊmodifiedÊfromÊHoshea inÊ NumbersÊ13:8.ÊTheÊfirstÊpartÊofÊYahweh’sÊnameÊwasÊtackedÊontoÊtheÊ firstÊpartÊofÊHoshea’sÊnameÊtoÊmakeÊJoshua.ÊÊ LookÊatÊtheÊfirstÊpartÊofÊRahab’sÊnameÊ—ÊRa!ÊThinkÊbackÊtoÊwhatÊyouÊ knowÊaboutÊtheÊgodsÊofÊEgyptÊandÊtheÊgodsÊofÊtheÊAmorites,Êit’sÊpreƩyÊ easyÊtoÊseeÊthatÊsheÊwasÊalsoÊgivenÊaÊnameÊassociaƟonÊwithÊaÊgodÊ—Ê theÊpaganÊsunÊgod,ÊRa!ÊMaybeÊsheÊwasÊsoldÊintoÊslaveryÊatÊaÊyoungÊ Day 3: Two Spies and a Prostitute ageÊasÊaÊtempleÊprosƟtute,ÊbutÊversesÊ9-11ÊleaveÊnoÊquesƟonÊasÊtoÊ whichÊGodÊsheÊwantsÊtoÊbeÊassociatedÊwithÊnow.Ê · SummarizeÊwhatÊRahabÊhadÊalreadyÊheardÊaboutÊtheÊGodÊofÊ Israel: · HowÊdidÊsheÊsayÊtheÊinhabitantsÊofÊJerichoÊfeltÊaboutÊIsraelÊ(v.11)? · ReadÊNumbersÊ13:32-33.ÊSummarizeÊwhatÊtheÊspiesÊ38ÊyearsÊagoÊ assumedÊtheÊinhabitantsÊofÊCanaanÊthoughtÊofÊthem. Isn’tÊitÊinteresƟngÊhereÊthatÊtheÊspiesÊdon’tÊseemÊtoÊevangelizeÊRahabÊ atÊall?ÊSHEÊisÊtheÊoneÊwithÊfaith. · DescribeÊherÊfaithÊinÊtheÊGodÊofÊIsraelÊfromÊtheseÊverses: DoÊyouÊgetÊtheÊsenseÊthatÊthisÊspyÊmissionÊwasÊmoreÊaboutÊsavingÊ RahabÊthanÊcreaƟngÊaÊstrategyÊforÊconqueringÊJericho?ÊHonestly,Ê nothingÊmoreÊseemsÊtoÊhaveÊbeenÊaccomplishedÊthanÊaÊplanÊtoÊspareÊ RahabÊandÊherÊfamily.ÊAndÊsheÊwouldn’tÊbeÊtheÊfirstÊorÊtheÊlastÊpersonÊ whomÊGodÊsingledÊoutÊandÊsparedÊbeforeÊaÊgreatÊdestrucƟon.ÊÊ · WhatÊotherÊBiblicalÊpeopleÊcomeÊtoÊmindÊforÊwhomÊGodÊseemedÊ toÊgoÊoutÊofÊHisÊwayÊtoÊspare?Ê(CheckÊoutÊ2ÊPeterÊ2:4-10ÊforÊ thoughts.) WorkÊonÊyourÊmemoryÊverseÊtoday.

Today’sÊlessonÊisÊsƟllÊallÊaboutÊthatÊoneÊincredibleÊlady,ÊRahabÊ—ÊherÊ faith,ÊherÊfamilyÊandÊherÊfervency. a READÊJoshuaÊ2:12-19.ÊMostÊofÊJoshuaÊchapterÊtwoÊisÊcenteredÊ aroundÊRahab,ÊandÊthisÊisn’tÊtheÊlastÊƟmeÊwe’llÊhearÊaboutÊher.Ê ChapterÊsixÊwillÊrevealÊtheÊconclusionÊofÊherÊstory...butÊthenÊtheÊNewÊ TestamentÊScripturesÊhaveÊevenÊmoreÊtoÊadd.ÊLookÊupÊtheseÊpassagesÊ andÊmakeÊnotesÊaboutÊwhatÊyouÊlearn. · MaƩhewÊ1:2-6ÊÊ(DecipherÊherÊrelaƟonshipÊtoÊKingÊDavid): · HebrewsÊ11:30-31 · JamesÊ2:23-25 BackÊtoÊourÊJoshuaÊpassage… · WhatÊdidÊRahabÊaskÊofÊtheÊJewishÊspiesÊandÊwhomÊdidÊsheÊwantÊ includedÊinÊherÊrequest? Now,ÊweÊknowÊsheÊwasÊaÊprosƟtute,ÊsoÊwereÊyouÊsurprisedÊtoÊreadÊ sheÊhadÊaÊlivingÊmother,Êfather,ÊbrothersÊandÊsisters?ÊThisÊmayÊalsoÊ confirmÊourÊsuspicionÊthatÊsheÊbelongedÊtoÊanÊenƟreÊpeopleÊgroupÊ whoÊwereÊconqueredÊandÊindenturedÊintoÊservitudeÊatÊsomeÊpoint. · AtÊtheÊendÊofÊv.12,ÊwhatÊspecificallyÊdidÊRahabÊaskÊfor? Day 4: A Promise to Rahab

TheÊƟtleÊofÊourÊBibleÊStudyÊis,Ê“TheÊPathÊofÊPromise”.ÊThroughoutÊ God’sÊStoryÊofÊRedempƟon,ÊHeÊmadeÊlotsÊofÊpromises.ÊHeÊoŌenÊ coupledÊaÊpromiseÊwithÊaÊsign ofÊHisÊpromise.ÊIÊthinkÊGodÊlovesÊbothÊ promisesÊandÊsigns.ÊIÊthinkÊGodÊlovesÊitÊwhenÊweÊremindÊHimÊofÊHisÊ promises.ÊIÊthinkÊthat’sÊwhatÊwasÊgoingÊonÊinÊtheÊlifeÊofÊRahab. · ExplainÊhowÊtheÊspiesÊrespondedÊtoÊherÊrequestÊinÊv.14: TheÊspiesÊusedÊanÊinteresƟngÊphrase,Ê‘our life for yours.’ÊÊThisÊshouldÊ beÊveryÊfamiliarÊtoÊusÊasÊChrisƟansÊonÊthisÊsideÊofÊtheÊcross.ÊWeÊoŌenÊ describeÊourÊsalvaƟonÊinÊtermsÊofÊanÊexchange. ReadÊRomansÊ10:10.ÊIt’sÊaÊsimpleÊandÊprobablyÊfamiliarÊverse.Ê · HowÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊRahabÊmetÊtheÊqualificaƟonsÊforÊsalvaƟon,ÊbasedÊ onÊthatÊverse? BeforeÊtheÊspiesÊwentÊdownÊtheÊwall,ÊtheyÊgaveÊherÊoneÊmoreÊsetÊofÊ instrucƟonsÊthatÊwouldÊbeÊanÊopportunityÊtoÊdisplayÊherÊbeliefÊinÊGod. · WhatÊsignÊdidÊtheyÊaskÊherÊtoÊdisplayÊwhenÊIsraelÊcameÊtoÊJericho? · WhereÊwasÊherÊhouseholdÊtoÊgatherÊwhenÊthatÊƟmeÊcame? ReadÊExodusÊ12:13,Ê22-23.Ê · WhatÊsimilariƟesÊdoÊyouÊseeÊinÊbothÊofÊtheseÊsetsÊofÊinstrucƟons? WorkÊonÊyourÊmemoryÊverseÊ—reciteÊitÊtoÊsomeoneÊinÊyourÊhousehold.

ChapterÊtwoÊhasÊbeenÊinteresƟng,ÊbutÊitÊdoesÊleaveÊusÊwonderingÊifÊ theÊspyÊmissionÊwasÊallÊthatÊsuccessfulÊinÊtermsÊofÊspying.ÊIÊmean,ÊitÊ doesn’tÊseemÊlikeÊaÊlotÊofÊreallyÊusefulÊinformaƟonÊwasÊgathered.ÊButÊ ifÊyouÊwereÊtoÊaskÊRahabÊwhatÊtheÊspyÊmissionÊachieved,ÊsheÊmightÊ haveÊsaid,Ê“Me!ÊItÊwasÊaÊgreatÊsuccessÊforÊmeÊandÊmyÊfamily.” ThisÊisÊanotherÊexampleÊofÊGod’sÊmercyÊinÊtheÊmidstÊofÊjudgment.ÊTheÊ iniquityÊofÊtheÊpeopleÊofÊCanaanÊhadÊreachedÊitsÊfullÊmeasureÊandÊ GodÊwasÊreadyÊtoÊbringÊjudgment.ÊButÊweÊknowÊfromÊScripturesÊthatÊ theÊeyesÊofÊtheÊLordÊareÊalwaysÊsearchingÊthroughoutÊtheÊearthÊforÊ thoseÊwithÊfaith,ÊthoseÊwhoÊyearnÊtoÊknowÊtheirÊCreatorÊGod.ÊThisÊ chapterÊshowsÊanÊexampleÊofÊGodÊholdingÊupÊtheÊwholeÊshowÊforÊ threeÊdaysÊinÊorderÊtoÊsaveÊRahabÊandÊherÊfamilyÊfromÊdestrucƟon.Ê Let’sÊinvesƟgateÊtheÊendÊofÊtheÊchapter...Ê a READÊJoshuaÊ2:20-24 · WhatÊaddiƟonalÊcondiƟonÊdidÊtheÊspiesÊgiveÊinÊv.20ÊinÊorderÊtoÊ holdÊupÊtheirÊendÊofÊtheÊagreement? · HowÊdidÊRahabÊrespond? · HerÊWords: · HerÊAcƟons: · IsÊthereÊanythingÊyouÊfindÊinspiringÊaboutÊherÊwordsÊandÊacƟons? Day 5: Finally, a Good Spy Report

· HowÊlongÊdidÊtheÊspiesÊhideÊout?Ê READÊDeuteronomyÊ31:7-8ÊtoÊrememberÊGod’sÊpromisesÊtoÊJoshua. · WhenÊtheÊspiesÊreturnedÊtoÊJoshua,ÊwhatÊwasÊtheirÊreport? · WhatÊeffectÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊthisÊmayÊhaveÊhadÊonÊJoshuaÊtoÊhelpÊhimÊ walkÊoutÊGod’sÊcallingÊforÊhisÊlife? It’sÊreallyÊsuchÊaÊsimpleÊthingÊtoÊencourageÊeachÊotherÊinÊtheÊcallingÊ thatÊGodÊhasÊputÊonÊourÊlives.ÊPerhapsÊweÊshouldÊfinishÊupÊthisÊweekÊ byÊplanningÊtoÊbeÊlikeÊthoseÊtwoÊspiesÊandÊbringÊaÊwordÊofÊ encouragement.Ê CheckÊoutÊtheseÊtwoÊpassagesÊandÊthenÊaskÊtheÊLordÊtoÊgiveÊyouÊanÊ opportunityÊtoÊaffirmÊsomeone’sÊspiritualÊtaskÊinÊlife.Ê · 1ÊThessaloniansÊ2:11-12 · HebrewsÊ10:25 —

Questions for Thought & Discussion 1. ReadÊDeuteronomyÊ7:1-4.ÊWhyÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊGodÊhadÊtheÊrightÊtoÊ tellÊIsraelÊtoÊtakeÊoverÊtheÊlandÊofÊCanaanÊandÊdestroyÊtheÊcurrentÊ inhabitants? 2. InÊPsalmÊ119:60,ÊDavidÊsaid,Ê“I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.” HowÊwasÊthisÊtrueÊofÊJoshuaÊasÊwell?ÊInÊ whatÊareaÊofÊyourÊlifeÊisÊthisÊaÊcurrentÊwordÊforÊyou? 3. TheÊpeopleÊofÊJerichoÊhadÊnoÊknowledgeÊofÊYahweh,ÊnoÊlawÊtoÊ understandÊHisÊcharacter,ÊnoÊsabbathsÊorÊfeastsÊtoÊteachÊtheÊÊÊ story.ÊHowÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊRahabÊcameÊtoÊknowÊtheÊGodÊofÊIsrael? 4. TakeÊaÊmomentÊtoÊconsiderÊthatÊyouÊmayÊplayÊtheÊroleÊofÊaÊspyÊinÊ thisÊworld,ÊbeingÊsentÊbyÊdivineÊappointmentÊtoÊsomeoneÊwhoÊisÊ searchingÊforÊGod,ÊbutÊquiteÊisolatedÊinÊtheirÊquest.ÊAreÊyouÊwill- ingÊtoÊstepÊintoÊtheÊlifeÊofÊsomeoneÊlikeÊRahabÊtoÊconfirmÊtheÊ truthÊofÊGod? 5. Rahab’sÊinstrucƟonsÊwereÊtoÊdisplayÊaÊmarkÊofÊidenƟficaƟon,Ê whichÊwouldÊseparateÊherÊfromÊtheÊgeneralÊinhabitantsÊofÊJeri- cho.ÊSheÊwasÊtoÊshelterÊunderÊthatÊmark.ÊInÊoneÊsentence,ÊhowÊ wouldÊyouÊlikenÊthatÊtoÊtheÊsavingÊofÊaÊmodern-dayÊbeliever?

TheÊspiesÊreturned,ÊJoshuaÊwasÊencouraged,ÊandÊtheÊpeopleÊspentÊ threeÊdaysÊpreparingÊtheirÊsupplies.ÊTheyÊfinallyÊleŌÊShiƫmÊ(whichÊ meantÊAcaciaÊgrove),ÊonlyÊtoÊbeÊconfrontedÊwithÊanÊimpossibleÊ obstacleÊ—ÊtheÊJordanÊRiver!ÊFewÊamongÊthemÊrememberedÊtheÊRedÊ SeaÊ40ÊyearsÊago,ÊbutÊthisÊobstrucƟonÊwasÊsimilarlyÊdaunƟng.Ê a READÊJoshuaÊ3:1-9. · HowÊmanyÊdaysÊdidÊIsraelÊcampÊandÊstareÊatÊtheÊswollenÊJordan? · WhatÊmightÊhaveÊbeenÊgoingÊthroughÊyour mindÊifÊyouÊsawÊthisÊ obstacleÊbetweenÊyouÊandÊtheÊplaceÊGodÊinstructedÊyouÊtoÊgo? · IsÊthereÊanyÊindicaƟonÊthatÊIsraelÊwasÊfearfulÊorÊwanƟngÊtoÊturnÊ back? · AŌerÊcontemplaƟngÊtheÊimpossibilityÊofÊcrossingÊthatÊriverÊforÊ threeÊdays,ÊwhatÊinstrucƟonsÊwereÊgivenÊtoÊtheÊpeopleÊaboutÊhow this should look onÊtheÊoutsideÊ(v.3-4)? · WhatÊinstrucƟonsÊdidÊJoshuaÊgiveÊaboutÊhow they should lookÊonÊ theÊinside?ÊWhatÊwordÊisÊmostÊsignificantÊinÊv.5? Week 3 — Joshua 3-5 Day 1 — Preparing to Enter the Land

NothingÊinÊtheÊtextÊhintsÊasÊtoÊwhatÊtheyÊwereÊtoÊdoÊtoÊaccomplishÊ consecraƟon/sancƟficaƟon.ÊLookÊupÊthisÊwordÊinÊaÊBibleÊdicƟonaryÊ andÊwriteÊwhatÊyouÊthinkÊthatÊinstrucƟonÊwouldÊhaveÊmeantÊtoÊyouÊifÊ youÊwereÊinÊthatÊcamp.ÊWhatÊacƟonÊmightÊyouÊhaveÊtaken? · WhoÊwasÊtoÊcarryÊtheÊark of the covenant of the LordÊinÊfrontÊofÊ theÊpeopleÊ(v.6)? READÊNumbersÊ4:15.ÊWhichÊclanÊofÊpriestsÊ carriedÊtheÊarkÊonÊtheirÊshouldersÊthroughÊtheÊ enƟreÊWildernessÊjourney? · WhatÊdidÊJoshuaÊwantÊtheseÊmenÊcarryingÊtheÊarkÊtoÊdoÊwhenÊ theyÊarrivedÊatÊtheÊbankÊofÊtheÊriver? AsÊweÊprogressÊthroughÊourÊChrisƟanÊjourney,ÊGodÊoŌenÊassignsÊ tasksÊinÊsuchÊaÊwayÊthatÊweÊfaceÊdifficultÊorÊseemlyÊimpossibleÊ obstacles.ÊMaybeÊyou’reÊfacingÊaÊJordan River at flood stageÊsortÊofÊ obstacle.ÊWhatÊdoÊyouÊfindÊmostÊinspiringÊinÊthisÊchapterÊtoÊhelpÊyouÊ moveÊforwardÊinÊfaith? Memory Verse — Week Three — Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by bapƟsm into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

InÊmyÊimaginaƟonÊofÊthisÊpassage,ÊIÊseeÊJoshuaÊstandingÊonÊaÊlargeÊ boulder,ÊwaiƟngÊpaƟentlyÊunƟlÊtheÊfeetÊofÊtheÊpriestsÊareÊinchesÊfromÊ theÊwater.ÊThenÊheÊturnsÊhisÊaƩenƟonÊtoÊtheÊpeople,ÊwhoÊinÊturn,Ê leanÊforwardÊtoÊcatchÊhisÊeveryÊwordÊaboveÊtheÊrushÊofÊtheÊriver.Ê a READÊJoshuaÊ3:10-17. · ListÊsomeÊimportantÊaspectsÊofÊthisÊdayÊthatÊJoshuaÊwantedÊthemÊ toÊbeÊawareÊofÊandÊconsiderÊatÊthisÊmoment: · WhatÊsignÊwereÊtheyÊtoÊlookÊforÊtoÊbeÊassuredÊthat the living God was among them and He would drive out all their enemies (v.13)? · ExplainÊhowÊthatÊsignÊwasÊfulfilledÊ(v.15-16): OnÊtheÊmapÊonÊp.5,ÊdrawÊaÊrowÊofÊblocksÊtoÊrepresentÊaÊdamÊnearÊtheÊ townÊofÊAdam. · WhatÊwasÊtheÊstateÊofÊtheÊriverbedÊasÊtheyÊcrossedÊover? Day 2 — Believing in Miracles

WhenÊGodÊdeliveredÊIsraelÊfromÊbondageÊ inÊEgypt,ÊaÊgreatÊbodyÊofÊwaterÊstoodÊ betweenÊthemÊandÊMt.ÊSinai,ÊwhereÊGodÊ wouldÊrevealÊHisÊcharacterÊandÊHisÊlaw.Ê Now,ÊasÊGodÊledÊHisÊpeopleÊfromÊtheÊ defeatÊofÊtheirÊwildernessÊwanderingsÊintoÊ theÊvictoryÊpromisedÊinÊtheÊlandÊofÊ Canaan,ÊanotherÊbodyÊofÊwaterÊneededÊtoÊ beÊcrossed. READÊExodusÊ14:21-22.ÊNoteÊanyÊsimilariƟesÊorÊdifferencesÊinÊhowÊ GodÊpartedÊtheÊRedÊSeaÊforÊMosesÊandÊhowÊGodÊheldÊbackÊtheÊwatersÊ ofÊtheÊJordanÊRiverÊforÊJoshua.Ê · WhatÊdoÊyouÊfindÊsignificantÊwhenÊyouÊreadÊJoshuaÊ1:3ÊandÊJoshuaÊ 3:13Êtogether? · SkimÊthroughÊtheÊwholeÊchapterÊagainÊandÊcountÊhowÊmanyÊƟmesÊ theÊarkÊofÊtheÊcovenantÊorÊarkÊofÊtheÊLordÊisÊmenƟoned:ÊÊ________ AsÊyouÊrealizeÊtheÊfocalÊpointÊofÊthisÊriverÊcrossingÊwasÊtheÊark,ÊwhichÊ representsÊtheÊpresence of the Lord himself,ÊhowÊdoesÊtheÊthoughtÊofÊ IsraelÊfollowingÊthe arkÊhaveÊsignificanceÊforÊyourÊChrisƟanÊlife? WorkÊonÊyourÊmemoryÊverseÊforÊthisÊweek!

TheÊeventÊdescribedÊinÊchapterÊ3ÊhadÊbeenÊanƟcipatedÊforÊcenturies.Ê ItÊmayÊhaveÊonlyÊtakenÊaÊhandfulÊofÊhoursÊforÊIsraelÊtoÊcrossÊtheÊ JordanÊRiverÊ(v.9ÊsaysÊthe people passed over in haste). ButÊaÊswiŌÊ crossingÊdidn’tÊmeanÊitÊwasn’tÊsignificant.ÊThisÊwasÊaÊmajorÊtransiƟonÊ inÊtheÊhistoryÊofÊIsraelÊandÊtheÊstoryÊofÊredempƟon.ÊTheÊenƟreÊ naƟon,ÊalongÊwithÊtheirÊliƩleÊones,ÊtheirÊlivestock,ÊandÊtheirÊ belongingsÊcrossedÊfromÊtheÊWildernessÊintoÊCanaan.ÊMaybeÊthat’sÊ whyÊaÊstoneÊmemorialÊwasÊsoÊimportant. a READÊJoshuaÊ4.ÊItÊseemsÊasÊthoughÊtheÊmainÊthemeÊofÊthisÊ chapterÊwasÊrelatedÊtoÊtwoÊheapsÊofÊstones.ÊDescribeÊtheÊtwoÊ locaƟonsÊofÊtheseÊstoneÊmonuments: · Ê · TheÊMonumentÊatÊGilgalÊ—Ê · WhoÊcarriedÊtheÊrocksÊtoÊGilgal? · WhatÊwasÊtheÊpurposeÊforÊtheÊmonumentÊandÊhowÊwereÊtheyÊtoÊ explainÊtheÊsignificanceÊtoÊtheirÊchildrenÊ(v.22-24)? TheÊMonumentÊinÊtheÊJordanÊ—Ê · WhoÊseemedÊtoÊhaveÊheapedÊtheÊrocksÊinÊtheÊriverbed? · WhatÊdoÊyouÊsupposeÊcouldÊhaveÊbeenÊtheÊpurposeÊofÊaÊ monumentÊinÊtheÊmiddleÊofÊtheÊriver? Day 3 — A Memorial of God’s Work

Momentous occasionsÊinÊlifeÊdeservesÊmonuments!ÊThisÊwasÊaÊwater- shedÊoccasionÊforÊIsraelÊ—ÊitÊchangedÊtheirÊlivesÊforever!ÊTheÊjourneyÊ intoÊCanaanÊwasÊmeantÊtoÊbeÊaÊone-wayÊtrip.ÊGodÊneverÊintendedÊHisÊ peopleÊtoÊreturnÊagainÊtoÊlifeÊinÊtheÊWilderness.Ê · WhatÊeffectÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊthisÊstoneÊmonumentÊshouldÊhaveÊhadÊ onÊanyoneÊpassingÊbyÊitÊintendingÊtoÊreturnÊtoÊtheÊWilderness? · WhatÊparallelsÊcanÊyouÊthinkÊofÊbetweenÊwhatÊIsraelÊexperiencedÊ hereÊandÊourÊownÊspiritualÊjourney? · OnÊwhatÊdayÊdidÊtheÊcrossingÊofÊJordanÊhappenÊ(v.19)? READÊExodusÊ12:1-3.ÊBibleÊdetailsÊareÊsoÊfascinaƟngÊ—Êplaces,Êdates,Ê andÊnamesÊ—ÊtheyÊallÊmeanÊsomething.ÊIt’sÊinteresƟngÊthatÊIsraelÊleŌÊ EgyptÊonÊtheÊfirstÊPassoverÊandÊcrossedÊtheÊJordanÊ40ÊyearsÊlaterÊonÊ lamb selecƟon day justÊpriorÊtoÊthatÊPassover.ÊVerseÊ14Êsays,Êthe Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all IsraelÊonÊthatÊday.ÊNowÊfastÊforwardÊ aboutÊ1,400Êyears,ÊandÊtheÊLordÊwouldÊexaltÊanotherÊJoshua,ÊanotherÊ lambÊofÊGodÊonÊthatÊsameÊday,ÊwhenÊHeÊrodeÊintoÊJerusalem. “TheÊJordanÊRiverÊusuallyÊflowedÊaÊhundredÊfeetÊwideÊatÊtheÊplaceÊ acrossÊfromÊJerichoÊwhereÊIsraelÊcrossedÊintoÊCanaan.ÊButÊbecauseÊ theÊIsraelitesÊcrossedÊatÊfloodÊstage,ÊtheÊriverÊsurgedÊmuchÊwiderÊandÊ deeper.ÊWhenÊtheÊpriestsÊcarryingÊtheÊArkÊofÊtheÊCovenantÊsteppedÊ intoÊtheÊJordan,ÊtheÊwaterÊceasedÊitsÊflowÊ16ÊmilesÊupstream.ÊThisÊleŌÊ aÊstretchÊofÊdryÊlandÊsomeÊ20ÊmilesÊwideÊforÊtheÊnaƟonÊtoÊcross,ÊÊÊÊ perhapsÊseveralÊthousandÊabreast.”1 a READÊJoshuaÊ5:1-8. · DescribeÊtheÊemoƟonalÊstateÊofÊtheÊpeopleÊofÊCanaan,ÊonceÊtheyÊ realizedÊtheÊJordanÊhadÊbeenÊdriedÊofÊwater,ÊandÊIsraelÊcrossedÊ overÊintoÊtheirÊterritory: · WhatÊwasÊtheÊfirstÊinstrucƟonÊthatÊGodÊgaveÊtoÊJoshuaÊatÊGilgal? · DoÊyouÊthinkÊthatÊwasÊanÊidealÊƟmeÊforÊcircumcision?ÊDoÊyouÊ thinkÊit’sÊwhatÊIsraelÊexpected?ÊWhatÊwouldÊlogicÊhaveÊdirectedÊatÊ thatÊƟme? · TheÊphraseÊcircumcise a second ƟmeÊ(v.2)Êdidn’tÊmean,Êdo it again —ÊwhatÊdidÊitÊmeanÊbasedÊonÊv.5? READÊExodusÊ12:43-49.ÊWhyÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊitÊwasÊimportantÊtoÊswiŌlyÊ takeÊcareÊofÊcircumcision? Day 4 — Preparing for Battle

InÊtheÊsameÊwayÊthatÊIsrael’sÊdescentÊintoÊtheÊriverbedÊandÊascentÊ intoÊtheÊlandÊofÊCanaanÊholdÊspiritualÊparallelsÊforÊus;ÊsoÊalsoÊdoesÊ theirÊcircumcision.ÊTheirÊlandÊofÊpromiseÊwouldÊbeÊaÊlandÊofÊbaƩlesÊ andÊthoseÊbaƩlesÊwouldÊnotÊbeÊwonÊthroughÊIsrael’sÊownÊstrengthÊ andÊgritÊ—ÊitÊwouldÊbeÊallÊofÊGod.ÊSoÊwhyÊnotÊbeginÊwithÊaÊrenewalÊofÊ theÊsignÊofÊtheÊcovenant,ÊwhichÊremindedÊthemÊofÊWhoÊwasÊinÊ charge? InÊaÊsimilarÊway,ÊwhenÊweÊidenƟfyÊwithÊChristÊinÊHisÊdeath,ÊburialÊandÊ resurrecƟon,ÊweÊbeginÊtoÊfaceÊmanyÊbaƩlesÊbecauseÊneitherÊourÊflesh,ÊÊ theÊworldÊnorÊtheÊdevilÊwantsÊusÊtoÊbeÊservingÊGod.ÊJustÊlikeÊinÊtheÊ storyÊÊofÊJoshua,Êit’sÊnotÊGod’sÊintenƟonÊforÊusÊtoÊgetÊbusyÊandÊfightÊ ourÊbaƩlesÊinÊtheÊstrengthÊofÊourÊflesh,ÊsoÊHeÊasksÊusÊtoÊmorƟfy the flesh,ÊbyÊcircumcisingÊourÊhearts.Ê READÊColossiansÊ2:11-15.ÊWithÊtheÊscreenplayÊofÊJoshuaÊinÊmind,ÊhowÊ mightÊyouÊdescribeÊsomeÊofÊtheÊphrasesÊinÊtheseÊversesÊthatÊmightÊbeÊ difficultÊforÊsomeoneÊtoÊgrasp? · HowÊwouldÊyouÊputÊ‘circumcision made without hands’ÊandÊ ‘puƫng off the body of flesh’ intoÊlanguageÊthatÊaÊsixthÊgraderÊ couldÊunderstand? · HowÊcouldÊyouÊcreateÊofÊwordÊpictureÊfor,Êburied with Him in bapƟsmÊandÊraised with Him through faith? BeÊsureÊtoÊworkÊonÊyourÊmemoryÊverse!ÊÊ

Today’sÊpassageÊisÊsetÊatÊGilgal,ÊwhichÊmeansÊrolled away.ÊTheÊopeningÊ verseÊtellsÊusÊthat,ÊforÊ38ÊyearsÊinÊtheÊWilderness,ÊIsrael’sÊspiritualÊlifeÊ boreÊmoreÊresemblanceÊtoÊtheirÊbondageÊinÊEgyptÊthanÊaÊnaƟonÊwithÊ aÊstrongÊconnecƟonÊtoÊtheirÊGod.ÊNow,ÊdueÊtoÊtheirÊswiŌÊobedience,Ê thatÊdisgraceÊwasÊrolled away andÊaÊnewÊseasonÊhadÊbegun. a READÊJoshuaÊ5:9-12. · WhatÊimportantÊcelebraƟonÊwasÊobservedÊrightÊthereÊatÊGilgal? InÊaÊveryÊfewÊwords,ÊweÊlearnÊthatÊtheyÊ‘kept the Passover’,ÊbutÊwe’reÊ notÊfooledÊ—ÊitÊwasÊsignificant!ÊImagineÊanÊenƟreÊnewÊgeneraƟonÊ celebraƟngÊthisÊmemorialÊforÊtheÊfirstÊƟme.ÊPerhapsÊtheÊoldestÊamongÊ themÊsharedÊmemoriesÊofÊtheÊnightÊtheyÊleŌÊEgypt,ÊtheÊagedÊchokingÊ backÊtearsÊwhileÊretellingÊchildhoodÊmemoriesÊofÊwhatÊtheÊfirstÊ PassoverÊwasÊlike. ThisÊwasÊonlyÊtheÊthirdÊƟmeÊIsraelÊhadÊkept the Passover. TheÊveryÊfirstÊ PassoverÊwas,ÊofÊcourse,ÊtheÊnightÊbeforeÊtheyÊleŌÊEgypt.ÊThen,ÊIsraelÊ celebratedÊtheÊnextÊPassoverÊaÊyearÊlaterÊbeforeÊleavingÊSinai,ÊandÊ thatÊisÊtheÊlastÊƟmeÊitÊwasÊkeptÊunƟlÊnow.Ê READÊExodusÊ12:43-49.Ê · WhatÊtwoÊthingsÊgoÊhand-in-handÊforÊkeepingÊtheÊPassover? · HowÊhadÊthatÊbeenÊaÊproblemÊallÊtheseÊyears? · WhatÊhappenedÊonÊtheÊveryÊnextÊdayÊaŌerÊPassoverÊ(v.11)? · AndÊwhatÊhappenedÊonÊtheÊdayÊaŌerÊthat?Ê(v.12)? Day 5 — A Fresh Start

WeÊmayÊhaveÊforgoƩenÊaboutÊtheÊmannaÊ—ÊmaybeÊitÊseemedÊlikeÊaÊ desert thing fromÊwayÊbackÊinÊtheÊbeginningÊofÊtheÊWildernessÊ journeyÊ—ÊbutÊGodÊhadÊbeenÊfaithfulÊrightÊupÊtoÊthisÊpointÊ—ÊasÊitÊ neverÊstopped.Ê(NoteÊExodusÊ16:35.) a READÊJoshuaÊ5:13-15. · DescribeÊtheÊmanÊJoshuaÊsawÊstandingÊbeforeÊhim: · HowÊwouldÊyouÊhaveÊfelt,ÊmeeƟngÊaÊguyÊlikeÊ thatÊbehindÊenemyÊlines? · NowÊdescribeÊhowÊtheÊmanÊidenƟfiedÊhimselfÊ(v.14): JoshuaÊwasÊaccustomedÊtoÊmilitaryÊcommandersÊandÊorderÊinÊIsrael.Ê (OneÊexampleÊwouldÊbeÊDeuteronomyÊ1:15.)ÊButÊGodÊhadÊalsoÊsaidÊ thatÊHEÊwouldÊfightÊforÊthemÊnow.Ê · HowÊwasÊthisÊcommander’sÊpresenceÊanÊencouragementÊtoÊ Joshua? · Finally,ÊwhatÊearlierÊexperienceÊofÊMosesÊdoesÊv.15ÊremindÊyouÊofÊ andÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊthisÊwouldÊhaveÊremindedÊJoshuaÊasÊwell?Ê ReciteÊyourÊmemoryÊverseÊtoday!

QuesƟons for Thought & Discussion 1. AsÊweÊseekÊtoÊliveÊforÊtheÊLord,ÊHeÊmayÊleadÊusÊtoÊaÊplaceÊwithÊaÊ hugeÊobstacleÊinÊtheÊway.ÊHaveÊyouÊexperiencedÊthatÊinÊyourÊlife?Ê HowÊhaveÊyouÊhandledÊfacingÊobstaclesÊlikeÊthat? 2. TheÊpriestsÊcarryingÊtheÊArkÊhadÊtoÊstepÊintoÊtheÊwaterÊbeforeÊ God’sÊdivineÊintervenƟonÊtookÊplace.ÊWhatÊ‘step of faith’ isÊGodÊ askingÊyouÊtoÊtake,ÊbeforeÊHeÊclearsÊtheÊobstaclesÊinÊyourÊpath? 3. GodÊhasÊcreatedÊyouÊforÊaÊpurpose.ÊExplainÊhowÊthatÊpurposeÊÊ cannotÊbeÊfulfilledÊbyÊaÊlifeÊlivedÊinÊtheÊWilderness,ÊbutÊrequiresÊaÊ lifeÊlivedÊinÊtheÊSpirit. 4. WhatÊareÊsomeÊpracƟcalÊwaysÊthatÊaÊChrisƟanÊcanÊkeepÊthoseÊtwoÊ stoneÊmonumentsÊinÊview,ÊtoÊpreventÊherÊfromÊreturningÊtoÊaÊlifeÊ ofÊfleshÊinÊtheÊWilderness? 5. CrossingÊtheÊJordanÊmadeÊIsraelÊliableÊtoÊdanger.ÊTheyÊcouldÊhaveÊ livedÊsafelyÊonÊtheÊotherÊside,ÊbutÊtheyÊchoseÊtoÊgoÊinÊandÊtakeÊ holdÊofÊtheÊpromisesÊofÊGod.ÊInÊwhatÊwaysÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊmakingÊaÊ decisionÊtoÊwalkÊmoreÊcloselyÊwithÊGodÊmakesÊusÊmoreÊliableÊtoÊ aƩacks,ÊbutÊalsoÊmoreÊusefulÊinÊGod’sÊKingdom?

TheÊrealÊwarfareÊbeginsÊhereÊinÊchapterÊsix.ÊIsraelÊhadÊsuccessfullyÊ defeatedÊtheÊkingsÊonÊtheÊotherÊsideÊofÊtheÊJordan,ÊbutÊnowÊtheyÊ facedÊJericho.ÊÊJerichoÊseemedÊtoÊhaveÊbeenÊaÊstrongholdÊforÊtheÊÊÊ CanaanitesÊandÊrepresentedÊtheÊfirstÊrealÊbaƩleÊinsideÊtheÊlandÊofÊ promise.ÊGodÊwasÊdeterminedÊtoÊstartÊthemÊoffÊwithÊaÊmiraculousÊ conquestÊthatÊwasÊunquesƟonablyÊHisÊownÊdoing.Ê It’sÊnotÊcompletelyÊclearÊhowÊGodÊwasÊspeakingÊtoÊJoshua,ÊbutÊwhen- everÊIÊbeginÊtoÊreadÊthisÊchapter,ÊIÊpictureÊtheÊCommander of the Lord’s ArmyÊ(whomÊweÊmetÊatÊtheÊendÊofÊchapterÊfive)ÊstandingÊbe- foreÊJoshuaÊandÊspeakingÊthoseÊinstrucƟonsÊandÊpromisesÊpersonally. a READÊJoshuaÊ6:1-7 · DescribeÊtheÊacƟvityÊlevelÊinÊtheÊcityÊofÊJericho: ListÊtheÊinstrucƟonsÊorÊcommandsÊthatÊwereÊgiven: · v.3 · v.4 · v.5 ListÊGod’sÊpromisesÊaboutÊthisÊbaƩleÊofÊfaith: · v.2 · v.Ê5 Week 4 — Joshua 6 Day 1 — Warfare of Faith

Let’sÊbackÊupÊagainÊaÊbitÊforÊcontext.ÊREADÊDeuteronomyÊ18:8-14. · WhyÊwasÊGodÊdrivingÊoutÊtheÊCanaanitesÊfromÊthisÊlandÊ(v.12)? · WhatÊinstrucƟonsÊwereÊgivenÊtoÊIsraelÊregardingÊtheÊpracƟcesÊofÊ theÊCanaanites? YouÊsee,ÊnoneÊofÊtheÊbaƩlesÊinÊtheÊbookÊofÊJoshuaÊhadÊanythingÊtoÊdoÊ withÊIsraelÊtakingÊrevengeÊonÊanÊenemy.ÊTheseÊweren’tÊIsrael’sÊquar- rels,ÊbutÊratherÊGod’sÊquarrelÊwithÊstrongholdsÊofÊevilÊandÊthoseÊwhoÊ hadÊwalkedÊinÊagreementÊwithÊthatÊevilÊforÊcenturies.ÊGodÊsimplyÊ choseÊIsraelÊtoÊparƟcipateÊwithÊHim,ÊasÊHisÊweaponÊagainstÊtheÊÊÊÊÊ powersÊofÊdarkness. GoÊbackÊtoÊv.2ÊandÊunderlineÊtheÊfirstÊeightÊwordsÊtheÊLordÊspokeÊtoÊ Joshua.ÊThen,ÊunderlineÊtheÊfirstÊthreeÊwordsÊHeÊspokeÊinÊv.7Ê—ÊsayÊ themÊallÊtogether.ÊTheÊmessageÊwasÊclear.ÊThereÊwasÊnoÊroomÊforÊself -sufficiency,ÊnoÊroomÊforÊJoshuaÊtoÊboastÊinÊvictory,ÊnoÊroomÊforÊ pride.ÊEverythingÊwasÊaccomplishedÊbyÊGod.ÊHowever,ÊHeÊgraciouslyÊ allowedÊIsraelÊtoÊparƟcipateÊ—Ê“go forward, march.” ThisÊisÊanÊimportantÊconceptÊtoÊembraceÊ—ÊTheÊbaƩleÊbelongsÊtoÊtheÊ LordÊ—ÊbutÊHeÊdoesÊassignsÊusÊwaysÊtoÊparƟcipateÊwithinÊHISÊbaƩle.Ê READÊJohnÊ15:5ÊandÊwriteÊtheÊlastÊsevenÊwordsÊhere: ÊÊÊ _______________________________________________________ Memory Verse — Week Four — Romans 8:37 “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

BeforeÊweÊconƟnueÊinÊChapterÊ6,Êlet’sÊbringÊaÊfamiliarÊProverbÊintoÊ theÊfrontÊrowÊofÊourÊmind.ÊReadÊthisÊslowlyÊandÊthinkÊofÊwhatÊitÊwouldÊ haveÊmeantÊforÊJoshuaÊinÊthisÊchapter... JoshuaÊcouldÊhaveÊreliedÊonÊallÊsortsÊofÊstrategiesÊinÊthisÊmoment.ÊIf,Ê insteadÊofÊtrusƟngÊinÊtheÊLord’sÊinstrucƟons,ÊheÊwouldÊhaveÊconferredÊ withÊthisÊofficers;ÊheÊmayÊhaveÊheardÊsuggesƟonsÊaboutÊaÊsiegeÊonÊ theÊcity,ÊmaybeÊanotherÊroundÊofÊspiesÊtoÊfindÊtheÊweakÊspotÊinÊtheÊ wall,ÊorÊhowÊaboutÊmulƟpleÊladdersÊraisedÊatÊtheÊsameÊƟmeÊaroundÊ theÊcity?Ê—ÊthatÊmightÊwork!Ê Honestly,ÊanyÊmilitaryÊstrategyÊmayÊhaveÊsoundedÊmoreÊpromisingÊ thanÊwalkingÊaroundÊwithÊtrumpets.ÊButÊJoshuaÊwasÊaÊmanÊwhoÊhadÊ pracƟcedÊtheÊartÊofÊlisteningÊtoÊGod,ÊandÊnowÊthatÊheÊwasÊleaderÊoverÊ Israel,ÊitÊcertainlyÊcameÊinÊhandy.Ê DoesÊhisÊcharacterÊinspireÊyou?ÊÊItÊsureÊdoesÊme!ÊIÊwantÊtoÊculƟvateÊ thatÊdisciplineÊofÊlisteningÊandÊthenÊtrusƟng God,ÊratherÊthanÊleaningÊ onÊmyÊownÊunderstanding. a READÊJoshuaÊ6:8-14.ÊMakeÊaÊdrawingÊorÊschemaƟcÊofÊtheÊorderÊ ofÊtheÊarmyÊfromÊv.8-9: Day 2 — Complete Trust

READÊNumbersÊ10:9.ÊFacingÊJerichoÊmayÊhaveÊbeenÊtheÊfirstÊƟmeÊ thoseÊinstrucƟonsÊwereÊputÊintoÊplay.Ê · WhatÊeffectÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊtheÊsoundÊofÊtheÊtrumpetÊhadÊonÊtheÊ inhabitantsÊofÊJericho?Ê · WhatÊeffectÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊtheÊsoundÊofÊtheÊtrumpetÊhadÊonÊIsrael? READÊ2ÊCorinthiansÊ2:15-17.ÊIsn’tÊitÊfascinaƟngÊthatÊcertainÊthingsÊofÊ theÊLordÊ(inÊthisÊcase,ÊtheÊtrumpetÊsound)ÊcanÊbringÊcomfortÊtoÊsomeÊ orÊterrorÊtoÊothersÊ—ÊeitherÊtheÊaromaÊofÊlifeÊorÊtheÊsmellÊofÊdeath?Ê People’sÊresponsesÊhingeÊonÊwhoÊtheyÊhaveÊalignedÊthemselvesÊwithÊ —ÊtheÊLordÊofÊHeavenÊorÊtheÊpowersÊofÊdarkness. · InÊyourÊopinion,ÊwhatÊareÊsomeÊthings of the LordÊthatÊspeakÊhopeÊ toÊsomeÊandÊjudgmentÊtoÊothers? · HaveÊyouÊeverÊbeenÊtemptedÊtoÊavoidÊcertainÊthingsÊbecauseÊofÊ thisÊeffect? GodÊgaveÊJoshuaÊspecificÊinstrucƟons:ÊorderÊofÊtheÊarmy,ÊplacementÊ ofÊtheÊark,ÊsoundÊofÊtheÊtrumpet,ÊsilenceÊofÊtheÊpeople,ÊnumberÊofÊ lapsÊaroundÊJericho!ÊDoÊyouÊsomeƟmesÊfeelÊyouÊcouldÊtrustÊinÊtheÊ LordÊwithÊallÊyourÊheartÊandÊaccomplishÊgreatÊthings,ÊifÊHeÊwouldÊjustÊ beÊthatÊclearÊwithÊyouÊasÊwell?ÊDoÊyouÊlongÊforÊaÊto-doÊlistÊfromÊGod? MaybeÊGodÊdoes haveÊspecificÊinstrucƟonsÊtoÊshareÊwithÊusÊforÊourÊ baƩles.ÊMaybeÊJoshuaÊwasÊjustÊaÊbeƩerÊlistener.ÊRemember,ÊJoshuaÊ usedÊtoÊlingerÊinÊtheÊTentÊofÊMeeƟng,ÊevenÊaŌerÊMosesÊhadÊleŌ,ÊtoÊ pracƟceÊtheÊartÊofÊlistening. SetÊaÊƟmerÊrightÊnowÊforÊwhateverÊƟmeÊyouÊchooseÊandÊpracƟceÊtheÊ disciplineÊandÊdelightÊofÊlisteningÊforÊGod’sÊinstrucƟons.Ê a READÊJoshuaÊ6:15-21. · ExplainÊhowÊtheÊseventhÊdayÊofÊmarchingÊaroundÊtheÊcityÊdifferedÊ fromÊtheÊfirstÊsix. · HowÊdoesÊv.20ÊspecificallyÊrecordÊtheÊwallsÊtoÊhaveÊfallen? · HowÊdidÊthatÊenableÊIsraelÊtoÊcaptureÊtheÊcityÊmoreÊeffecƟvely? · WhoÊwereÊtheÊloneÊsurvivorsÊofÊtheÊcity? NowÊlet’sÊstudyÊthroughÊtheÊinstrucƟonsÊGodÊgaveÊinÊv.17-19ÊaboutÊ theÊpeopleÊandÊitemsÊinÊtheÊcityÊ—ÊHeÊwasÊpreƩyÊspecificÊaboutÊit.Ê · FromÊv.17,ÊwriteÊtheÊphraseÊthatÊtellsÊusÊwhatÊwasÊsupposedÊtoÊ happenÊtoÊeverythingÊwithinÊtheÊcity: · FromÊv.18,ÊwriteÊtheÊwarningÊrelatedÊtoÊtheÊthingsÊwithinÊtheÊcity: · HowÊmanyÊƟmesÊdidÊyouÊreadÊtheÊwordÊdevoted?ÊÊ_____________ TheseÊinstrucƟonsÊactuallyÊfollowÊaÊprincipleÊthatÊgoesÊbackÊtoÊtheÊ firstÊPassoverÊnightÊinÊEgypt.ÊRememberÊwhenÊGodÊsparedÊallÊofÊÊÊÊÊÊ Israel’sÊfirstborn,ÊwhileÊallÊofÊtheÊEgypƟanÊfirstbornÊwereÊdestroyed?Ê GodÊfollowedÊupÊbyÊsimplyÊtellingÊMosesÊinÊExodusÊ13:2,Ê“Consecrate Day 3 — Holy to the Lord to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine.” READÊDeuteronomyÊ26:Ê1-3,Ê8-11.ÊThatÊwasÊtheÊofferingÊofÊfirstÊfruitsÊ —ÊwhatÊweÊcallÊaÊƟtheÊ—ÊanÊimportantÊprincipleÊinÊGod’sÊKingdom. ItÊhasn’tÊbeenÊmenƟonedÊyetÊinÊJoshua,ÊbutÊIsraelÊwouldÊbeÊallowedÊ toÊkeepÊallÊtheÊgoodsÊfromÊallÊtheÊotherÊbaƩles,ÊitÊwasÊjustÊthisÊfirstÊ oneÊthatÊGodÊwantedÊdevoted to the Lord. Let’sÊprocessÊthatÊconcept... · DidÊGodÊneedÊtheÊstuff? · HowÊdidÊnot takingÊpossessionÊofÊ theÊspoilsÊhelpÊIsraelÊrememberÊ thatÊallÊofÊtheÊgloryÊforÊtheÊvictoryÊ belongedÊtoÊGodÊalone? InÊtheÊNewÊTestament,ÊthereÊisn’tÊmuchÊsaidÊaboutÊfirstÊfruitsÊandÊ ƟthesÊ—ÊweÊareÊsimplyÊencouragedÊtoÊbeÊcheerfulÊgivers.ÊButÊIÊdon’tÊ thinkÊthatÊfollowingÊtheÊprincipleÊofÊgivingÊofÊourÊfirstÊfruitsÊtoÊtheÊ kingdomÊofÊGodÊwillÊeverÊsetÊusÊinÊtheÊwrongÊdirecƟon.ÊItÊisÊpartÊofÊ God’sÊcharacterÊandÊaÊkingdomÊprincipleÊthatÊremindsÊusÊthatÊourÊÊ capacityÊtoÊgatherÊwealthÊofÊanyÊkindÊisÊaÊgraciousÊgiŌÊofÊGod. READÊMalachiÊ3:6-11.ÊThisÊwasÊaÊpropheƟcÊmessageÊforÊIsrael,ÊbutÊ whatÊapplicaƟonÊdoÊyouÊseeÊforÊyourÊownÊlife? WorkÊonÊyourÊmemoryÊverseÊforÊthisÊweek!

a READÊJoshuaÊ6:22-25. · WhoÊhadÊtheÊprivilegeÊofÊrushingÊtoÊthatÊcertainÊhouseÊonÊtheÊ wall,ÊidenƟfiedÊbyÊtheÊscarletÊcord,ÊtoÊannounceÊtheirÊfreedom? · WhereÊwereÊRahabÊandÊherÊfamilyÊtaken?ÊÊCanÊyouÊspeculateÊasÊ toÊwhy? READÊ2ÊPeterÊ2:9-10.ÊHowÊdoÊPeter’sÊwordsÊrelateÊtoÊRahab’sÊstory? a READÊJoshuaÊ6:24-27. · WhatÊaddiƟonalÊinformaƟonÊdoesÊV.24ÊtellÊaboutÊtheÊfateÊofÊtheÊ city? ThinkÊaboutÊtheÊeffectÊthisÊoneÊdayÊhadÊonÊtheÊneighboringÊvillages.Ê TheÊsoundÊandÊreverberaƟonsÊofÊJericho’sÊwallsÊfallingÊmustÊhaveÊ beenÊfeltÊforÊmilesÊaround.ÊÊ JustÊbecauseÊScriptureÊdoesn’tÊgiveÊusÊtheÊproperÊnamesÊofÊotherÊ soulsÊwhoÊbelievedÊinÊtheÊGodÊofÊIsraelÊdoesn’tÊmeanÊthereÊweren’tÊ othersÊwhoÊsoughtÊmercy in judgement.Ê Day 4 — The Victory of Faith

TheÊheartÊofÊGodÊisÊtoÊspareÊthoseÊwhoÊwillÊdepartÊfromÊevilÊandÊem- braceÊGod’sÊruleÊonÊthisÊearth.ÊYet,Êit’sÊalsoÊtheÊheartÊofÊGodÊtoÊmakeÊ thingsÊclear.ÊInÊthisÊcase,ÊtheÊdestrucƟonÊofÊJerichoÊwasÊtoÊconƟnueÊ asÊaÊmonumentÊofÊGod’sÊdecisiveÊjudgmentÊoverÊevilÊinÊHisÊland.Ê · WhatÊwasÊtoÊbeÊtheÊpriceÊtagÊforÊanyoneÊwanƟngÊtoÊrestoreÊÊÊÊÊÊ JerichoÊtoÊitsÊformerÊglory? HistoryÊMoment:ÊÊThereÊwereÊsomeÊdarkÊdaysÊlayingÊaheadÊinÊIsrael’sÊ history.ÊKingsÊwouldÊtakeÊtheÊthroneÊofÊIsraelÊwithÊaÊpretenseÊofÊrep- resenƟngÊYahweh,ÊbutÊtheirÊheartsÊwouldÊbeÊfullyÊengagedÊinÊtheÊ sameÊevilÊpracƟcesÊthatÊbroughtÊdestrucƟonÊonÊtheÊinhabitantsÊofÊ CanaanÊinÊtheÊfirstÊplace.ÊÊREADÊ1ÊKingsÊ16:29-34ÊtoÊseeÊhowÊthisÊ curseÊwasÊplayedÊoutÊ500ÊyearsÊlaterÊinÊtheÊdaysÊofÊAhab.Ê But,ÊforÊnow,ÊGodÊwasÊtheÊcaptainÊofÊIsrael,ÊJoshuaÊwasÊtheirÊleader,Ê andÊtheÊpeopleÊwereÊenjoyingÊtheÊbenefitsÊthatÊobedienceÊbroughtÊtoÊ theÊnaƟon.ÊIÊsoÊveryÊmuchÊwishÊitÊwouldÊstayÊjustÊthatÊway...butÊyouÊ probablyÊalreadyÊknowÊthatÊtroubleÊhadÊcomeÊandÊhisÊnameÊ is...Trouble!ÊOtherwiseÊknownÊasÊAchan.Ê Isn’tÊthatÊoŌenÊtheÊnarraƟveÊofÊourÊlivesÊasÊwell?ÊWeÊcanÊseemÊtoÊ takeÊoneÊgiantÊspiritualÊstepÊforwardÊthenÊthreeÊstepsÊback.ÊTheÊmostÊ importantÊthingÊwillÊbeÊlearningÊhowÊtoÊdealÊwithÊsetbacksÊinÊlife.Ê OneÊofÊtheÊwaysÊweÊknowÊourÊBibleÊisÊtrueÊandÊaccurateÊisÊarcheologi- calÊevidence.ÊForÊourÊfiŌhÊdayÊofÊstudyÊthisÊweek,ÊIÊthoughtÊyouÊmightÊ enjoyÊreadingÊanÊarƟcleÊoriginallyÊpublishedÊbyÊAnswersÊinÊGenesis.2 RatherÊthanÊtryÊtoÊreprintÊtheÊarƟcleÊinÊthisÊStudyÊGuide,ÊjustÊfollowÊ thisÊlink:Ê(hƩps://answersingenesis.org/archaeology/the-walls-of- jericho/)ÊI’mÊsureÊyouÊwillÊbeÊbothÊeducatedÊandÊencouragedÊbyÊwhatÊ youÊfind. Don’tÊforgetÊyourÊmemoryÊverseÊforÊthisÊweek. Day 5 — The Walls Really Did Come a Tumblin’ Down

Questions for Thought & Discussion 1. TheÊcityÊofÊJerichoÊrepresentedÊtheÊfirstÊofÊmanyÊbaƩlesÊinÊtheÊ PromisedÊLand.ÊWhatÊwasÊyourÊfirstÊJericho?ÊWhatÊisÊyourÊcurrentÊ Jericho? 2. CirclingÊtheÊcityÊofÊJerichoÊforÊsixÊdaysÊinÊsilenceÊmustÊhaveÊbeenÊ difficultÊandÊweÊdon’tÊreadÊofÊanyÊpromisesÊgivenÊtoÊtheÊpeopleÊ duringÊthatÊƟme.ÊTheyÊdidn’tÊknowÊaboutÊtheÊseventhÊdayÊandÊ theÊseventhÊround.ÊTheyÊsimplyÊneededÊtoÊbeÊobedientÊandÊper- severe.ÊInÊwhatÊareaÊofÊyourÊlifeÊareÊyouÊcalledÊtoÊpaƟentlyÊperse- vereÊrightÊnow,ÊwithoutÊknowingÊwhenÊtheÊvictoryÊmayÊcome? 3. WhyÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊtheÊideaÊofÊwarfareÊinÊourÊChrisƟanÊlifeÊdisturbsÊ someÊpeople?ÊWhatÊtalkingÊpointsÊinÊourÊcultureÊmakeÊChrisƟans,Ê whoÊareÊbaƩlingÊtheÊworld,ÊtheÊflesh,ÊandÊtheÊdevil,ÊseemÊsilly? 4. J.ÊHudsonÊTaylorÊclaimed,Ê“threeÊdifferentÊwaysÊtoÊserveÊtheÊLord:Ê 1)ÊtoÊmakeÊtheÊbestÊplansÊweÊcanÊandÊhopeÊtheyÊsucceed;Ê2)ÊtoÊ makeÊourÊownÊplansÊandÊaskÊGodÊtoÊblessÊthem;ÊorÊ3)ÊtoÊaskÊGodÊ forÊHisÊplansÊandÊthenÊdoÊwhatÊHeÊtellsÊusÊtoÊdo.”3ÊÊWhichÊofÊthoseÊ threeÊmostÊoŌenÊdescribesÊyourÊmethod?ÊHowÊwouldÊyouÊchangeÊ that? 5. WhatÊaspectsÊofÊtheÊarƟcleÊfromÊDayÊFiveÊwereÊtheÊmostÊintri- guingÊtoÊyou?

WeÊdon’tÊknowÊhowÊmuchÊƟmeÊlapsedÊbetweenÊIsrael’sÊvictoryÊoverÊ JerichoÊandÊtheirÊaƩemptÊtoÊconquerÊtheÊneighboringÊtownÊofÊAiÊ—ÊÊ maybeÊoneÊday,ÊfiveÊdays,ÊtenÊdaysÊ—ÊbutÊitÊprobablyÊwasn’tÊaÊhugeÊ chunkÊofÊƟme.ÊIÊwonderÊifÊIsraelÊwasÊfeelingÊslightlyÊinvincible.ÊIÊwon- derÊifÊtheyÊthoughtÊtheÊnextÊtownÊwouldÊbeÊevenÊeasierÊthanÊtheÊfirst.Ê ButÊtheÊveryÊfirstÊverseÊofÊthisÊchapterÊbeginsÊwithÊ‘but’ÊandÊtheÊfirstÊ sentenceÊtellsÊusÊthatÊsomethingÊisn’tÊright.ÊBeforeÊweÊevenÊreadÊ aboutÊtheÊfailedÊbaƩleÊatÊAi,Êwe’reÊtoldÊthatÊsomeoneÊdidÊsomething,Ê whichÊwouldÊusherÊinÊconsequencesÊforÊeveryone. TheseÊareÊtwoÊtoughÊchaptersÊtoÊread.ÊThereÊareÊsomeÊtoughÊques- ƟonsÊtoÊwrestleÊwith.ÊButÊtheyÊareÊtwoÊimportantÊchaptersÊtoÊstudyÊ andÊconsiderÊtheÊimplicaƟonsÊforÊourÊownÊspiritualÊpath. a READÊJoshuaÊ7:1-5Ê(checkÊoutÊyourÊmapÊonÊp.5ÊforÊperspecƟve) · FromÊv.2-3,ÊdescribeÊwhatÊtheÊspiesÊsuggestedÊasÊtheÊbestÊmilitaryÊÊ acƟonÊtoÊtakeÊagainstÊAi: · FromÊv.4-5,ÊdescribeÊhowÊtheÊbaƩleÊactuallyÊwent. · WhatÊwasÊtheÊresponseÊofÊIsraelÊtoÊthisÊdefeat? Week 5 — Joshua 7-8 Day 1 — Breaking Faith

Man,ÊweÊhateÊtoÊseeÊIsraelÊatÊthisÊlevelÊofÊdiscouragementÊaŌerÊsoÊ muchÊprogressÊ—ÊtheÊvictoryÊoverÊSihonÊandÊOg,ÊtheÊmiraculousÊ crossingÊofÊtheÊJordan,ÊtheÊconsecraƟon,ÊtheÊPassoverÊcelebraƟon;Ê andÊthen,ÊofÊcourse,ÊtheÊtriumphantÊdestrucƟonÊofÊJericho.ÊThisÊhu- miliaƟonÊatÊAiÊwasÊnotÊonlyÊunexpected,ÊitÊwasÊalmostÊunbelievable!Ê Well,Êwe knowÊtheÊreasonÊbecauseÊweÊreadÊverseÊone,ÊbutÊJoshuaÊ neededÊanÊanswer,ÊsoÊheÊwentÊrightÊtoÊTheÊOneÊwhoÊholdsÊanswers. a READÊJoshuaÊ7:6-9. · DescribeÊJoshua’sÊpostureÊbeforeÊtheÊLord: · WhoÊwereÊJoshua’sÊcompanionsÊbeforeÊtheÊLord? · WhatÊwereÊJoshua’sÊfearsÊforÊIsrael? · WhatÊwereÊJoshua’sÊfearsÊforÊGod’sÊreputaƟon? READÊ2ÊCorinthiansÊ6:14-16.ÊWeÊoŌenÊreadÊtheseÊversesÊinÊtheÊcon- textÊofÊwhoÊweÊshouldÊandÊshouldn’tÊmarry.ÊThisÊƟmeÊreadÊthroughÊ theÊversesÊagain,ÊasÊaÊNewÊTestamentÊprincipleÊthatÊisÊaÊcompanionÊ toÊtheÊstoryÊofÊAchan.ÊJotÊdownÊsomeÊthoughts,ÊasÊtheÊLordÊgivesÊyouÊ insightÊintoÊtheseÊcomparisons: Memory Verse — Week Five — Psalm 119:10-11 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

IfÊweÊsewedÊtogetherÊtheÊfinalÊwordsÊfromÊchapterÊ6ÊwithÊtheÊopen- ingÊwordsÊfromÊchapterÊ7,ÊitÊwouldÊread:Ê“TheÊLORDÊwasÊwithÊJoshua,Ê andÊhisÊfameÊwasÊinÊallÊtheÊlandÊ—ÊbutÊtheÊpeopleÊofÊIsraelÊbrokeÊ faith...”.ÊAmongÊotherÊthings,ÊthisÊchapterÊisÊaÊlessonÊonÊhowÊprosper- ityÊandÊfameÊcanÊcauseÊusÊtoÊdropÊourÊguard. a READÊJoshuaÊ7:10-19 · WhatÊdidÊGodÊrevealÊtoÊJoshuaÊasÊtheÊreasonÊforÊIsrael’sÊdefeat? · WhatÊdidÊGodÊsayÊtheyÊcouldÊexpectÊifÊthatÊtransgressionÊwasÊnotÊ broughtÊoutÊinÊtheÊopen,ÊandÊcorrected? GodÊsaidÊthatÊIsraelÊ‘transgressed my covenant’.ÊWeÊdon’tÊoŌenÊuseÊ theÊwordÊtransgress,ÊbutÊweÊdoÊuseÊtheÊwordÊsin. ThereÊisÊaÊdiffer- ence.ÊUsingÊaÊBibleÊdicƟonary,ÊwriteÊoutÊaÊdefiniƟonÊofÊbothÊwords: Transgression: Sin: ExplainÊhowÊtheyÊareÊdifferent:Ê ExplainÊwhyÊthisÊsituaƟonÊwouldÊbeÊclassifiedÊasÊaÊtransgression: Day 2 — Admitting Sin

WhatÊone-wordÊacƟonÊdidÊGodÊaskÊofÊIsraelÊbeforeÊHeÊwouldÊsiŌÊ themÊtheÊnextÊdayÊ(v.13)? WhatÊdoesÊthatÊremindÊyouÊof? CanÊyouÊimagineÊAchan’sÊemoƟonsÊasÊtheÊcrowdÊonÊhis sideÊofÊtheÊ lineÊkeptÊthinningÊdownÊunƟlÊfinally,ÊheÊknewÊconcealmentÊwasÊfuƟle? a READÊJoshuaÊ7:20-21.ÊÊ · InÊyourÊBible,ÊcircleÊtheÊacƟonÊwordsÊ(verbs)ÊthatÊledÊtoÊAchan’sÊ sin.ÊThen,ÊwriteÊtheÊwordsÊthatÊshowÊtheÊprogressionÊofÊAchan’sÊ thoughtsÊandÊacƟons.Ê READÊJamesÊ1:13-15.ÊFromÊourÊtextÊinÊJoshua,ÊcompareÊtheÊprogres- sionÊofÊsinÊwithÊJames’ÊinsightsÊaboutÊsin’sÊworkÊinÊourÊhearts.ÊIÊstart- edÊtheÊchartÊforÊyou:Ê Achan’sÊSinÊ(JoshuaÊ7:21-22) ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊInsightsÊintoÊOurÊSinÊ(JamesÊ1:13-15) “when I saw in the plunder...”ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ“tempted by his own evil desire” AtÊwhatÊpointÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊthatÊAchanÊcouldÊhaveÊmadeÊaÊdifferentÊ choice? WorkÊonÊmemorizingÊyourÊverse.

WeÊleŌÊyesterday’sÊstudyÊwithÊtheÊthoughtÊthatÊAchanÊcouldÊhaveÊ madeÊaÊdifferentÊchoiceÊanywhereÊalongÊtheÊpathÊofÊtemptaƟon.ÊTheÊ ApostleÊJamesÊmadeÊthatÊclearÊinÊtheÊpassageÊweÊstudied.Ê a READÊJoshuaÊ7:22-26. · AŌerÊtheÊevidenceÊwasÊconfirmed,ÊhowÊdidÊIsraelÊdealÊwithÊthisÊ sin? IfÊyouÊeverÊhadÊaÊchildÊwhoÊgotÊitÊintoÊhisÊheadÊtoÊstealÊsomeÊcandyÊ onÊtheirÊwayÊthroughÊtheÊgroceryÊcheckout,ÊyouÊprobablyÊhadÊthemÊ bringÊitÊbackÊorÊpayÊforÊitÊandÊapologize;ÊfollowedÊbyÊaÊsternÊconver- saƟonÊandÊperhapsÊsomeÊdisciplineÊatÊhome.ÊButÊaÊsimpleÊreturnÊofÊ goodsÊwasn’tÊgoingÊtoÊfixÊthisÊproblem.ÊWeÊwishÊitÊwouldÊhaveÊbe- causeÊv.24-26ÊcauseÊusÊgreatÊtrouble. · WhatÊwasÊtheÊpunishmentÊbroughtÊonÊAchanÊandÊhisÊfamily? · WhoseÊideaÊwasÊthatÊ(v.15)? ThisÊisÊaÊsoberÊpassage!ÊThisÊtypeÊofÊswiŌÊjudgmentÊmayÊnotÊseƩleÊ veryÊwellÊwithÊmodernÊBibleÊstudents.ÊAŌerÊall,ÊwhatÊareÊweÊtoÊtakeÊ fromÊthisÊpassage?ÊSinÊisÊcertainlyÊsomethingÊtoÊavoid,ÊbutÊisÊthisÊhowÊ GodÊdealsÊwithÊHisÊkids?ÊShouldÊweÊexpectÊsimilarÊpunishmentÊforÊ ourÊtransgressions?ÊIfÊnot,ÊhasÊGodÊchangedÊHisÊviewÊofÊsin?Ê God’sÊKingdomÊandÊGod’sÊwaysÊareÊoŌenÊmysterious.ÊWeÊshouldn’tÊ expectÊtoÊhaveÊallÊtheÊanswers,ÊbutÊweÊdoÊhaveÊaÊlargeÊBibleÊandÊweÊ canÊfindÊsomeÊsimilariƟesÊthatÊmayÊhelpÊusÊmakeÊsenseÊofÊthisÊsitua- Ɵon.ÊForÊtheÊremainderÊofÊtoday,Êwe’llÊconsiderÊotherÊepisodesÊofÊ judgementÊthatÊhappenedÊwhenÊaÊparƟcularÊworkÊofÊGodÊwasÊinÊitsÊ infancy. Day 3 — Judgment of Sin

JudgmentÊonÊNadabÊ&ÊAbihu: READÊLeviƟcusÊ10:1-2.ÊWhatÊdidÊNadabÊ&ÊAbihuÊdoÊthatÊwasÊwrong? READÊLeviƟcusÊ8:5-10.ÊWhatÊaspectÊofÊGod’sÊKingdomÊwasÊbrandÊnew,Ê sƟllÊinÊitsÊinfancy? WhatÊmessageÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊIsraelÊwasÊintendedÊtoÊunderstandÊfromÊ thisÊswiŌÊjudgment? JudgmentÊonÊAnaniasÊandÊSaphira: READÊActsÊ5:1-11.ÊÊWhatÊdidÊAnaniasÊandÊSaphiraÊdoÊthatÊwasÊwrong?Ê READÊActsÊ4:32-33.ÊWhatÊaspectÊofÊGod’sÊKingdomÊwasÊbrandÊnew,Ê sƟllÊinÊitsÊinfancy? WhatÊmessageÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊtheÊchurchÊwasÊintendedÊtoÊunderstandÊ fromÊthisÊswiŌÊjudgment? Let’sÊnotÊcomfortÊourselvesÊinÊthinkingÊthatÊGod’sÊnotÊdoingÊanythingÊ newÊrightÊnow,ÊsoÊourÊhiddenÊsinÊisÊsafe.ÊThereÊisÊaÊclearÊmessageÊtoÊ usÊthatÊallowingÊsinÊtoÊgoÊunchecked,ÊinÊevenÊaÊsmallÊporƟonÊofÊourÊ lives,ÊcanÊcrippleÊourÊeffecƟvenessÊforÊGod’sÊkingdom.ÊWeÊshouldÊin- viteÊtheÊHolyÊSpiritÊtoÊrevealÊourÊsinÊsoÊweÊcanÊconfessÊit,ÊsetÊthingsÊ rightÊandÊgetÊonÊwithÊtheÊbusinessÊofÊwalkingÊinÊagreementÊwithÊGod.Ê

AsÊweÊreadÊtheÊopeningÊofÊchapterÊeight,ÊIÊpictureÊJoshuaÊstandingÊallÊ aloneÊinÊtheÊValleyÊofÊAchor,ÊquietlyÊstaringÊatÊaÊgreatÊheapÊofÊstones.Ê TheÊcold,ÊsoberÊstonesÊremindedÊeveryoneÊthatÊanÊenƟreÊfamilyÊANDÊ 36ÊsoldiersÊdiedÊneedlesslyÊinÊtheÊpastÊfewÊdaysÊbecauseÊofÊsin.ÊButÊ suddenly,ÊGod’sÊwordÊpiercedÊthroughÊtheÊsilenceÊandÊinterruptedÊ Joshua’sÊthoughts,ÊwithÊaÊmessageÊthatÊcertainlyÊmustÊhaveÊbroughtÊaÊ renewedÊsenseÊofÊcourage!Ê WeÊhaveÊaÊlengthyÊbaƩleÊpassageÊtoÊreadÊtoday,ÊbutÊIÊpromiseÊyouÊ chapterÊeightÊwillÊendÊonÊaÊmoreÊposiƟveÊnoteÊthanÊchapterÊseven. a READÊJoshuaÊ8:1-8. · WhatÊdidÊGodÊpromiseÊJoshuaÊinÊv.1? · HowÊmanyÊmenÊdidÊGodÊinstructÊJoshuaÊtoÊtakeÊ(v.1)ÊandÊhowÊdidÊ thatÊcompareÊwithÊtheÊfirstÊaƩackÊonÊAi? · WhoseÊmilitaryÊinstrucƟonsÊwereÊtheyÊfollowingÊthisÊƟmeÊ(v.8)Ê andÊhowÊdidÊthatÊcompareÊwithÊtheÊfirstÊaƩackÊonÊAi? · WhatÊwasÊIsraelÊallowedÊtoÊdoÊwithÊtheÊplunderÊthisÊƟmeÊ(v.2)ÊandÊ howÊdoesÊthatÊcompareÊwithÊtheÊfirstÊcityÊofÊJericho? a READÊJoshuaÊ8:9-29.ÊSketchÊtheÊbaƩleÊ planÊonÊtheÊfollowingÊpage.ÊIncludeÊtheÊciƟesÊofÊ JerichoÊandÊAi;ÊtheÊambushÊparƟes,ÊtheÊarmyÊ andÊJoshua.Ê(ReferÊtoÊtheÊmapÊonÊp.5ÊforÊhelp) Day 4 — A Second Chance

· ExplainÊwhatÊJoshuaÊdidÊwithÊtheÊKingÊofÊAiÊ(v.29): VerseÊ29ÊdescribesÊanotherÊheapÊofÊstonesÊ—ÊtheÊsecondÊheapÊinÊjustÊ aÊfewÊdaysÊ—ÊoneÊoverÊtheÊbodyÊofÊAchanÊandÊthisÊoneÊoverÊtheÊbodyÊ ofÊtheÊKingÊofÊAi.ÊBothÊposiƟveÊandÊnegaƟveÊheapsÊbecameÊlasƟngÊ memorialsÊforÊIsrael. YouÊandÊIÊalsoÊhaveÊaÊvarietyÊofÊlasƟngÊmemorialsÊinÊourÊlife:ÊtheyÊmayÊ remindÊusÊofÊvictoryÊoverÊsin,ÊorÊcallÊtoÊmindÊaÊfailureÊtoÊtrustÊGod,Ê someÊrecallingÊaÊƟmeÊofÊsurrender.ÊBothÊposiƟveÊandÊnegaƟveÊmonu- mentsÊcanÊbeÊuseful,ÊifÊweÊfilterÊthemÊthroughÊeyesÊofÊfaith.Ê ConsiderÊaÊrecentÊmonumentÊinÊyourÊlife.ÊAskÊtheÊLordÊtoÊhelpÊyouÊ processÊthatÊmemoryÊorÊthatÊreminderÊtoÊmakeÊitÊmoreÊusefulÊthanÊ maybeÊitÊhasÊbeen.Ê BeÊsureÊtoÊworkÊonÊyourÊmemoryÊverse! Sketch of BaƩle Plan for Ai

We’veÊreadÊaboutÊsoÊmanyÊstoneÊmonumentsÊinÊtheseÊchapters,Ê we’reÊjustÊaboutÊlosingÊtrackÊofÊwhatÊtheyÊrepresent.ÊHereÊinÊtoday’sÊ passage,ÊJoshuaÊerectsÊanotherÊheapÊofÊstonesÊinÊtheÊValleyÊofÊShe- chem.ÊThisÊƟme,ÊitÊisÊanÊaltarÊtoÊhonorÊandÊrenderÊsacrificesÊtoÊtheÊ Lord,ÊbutÊitÊwasÊalsoÊanÊopportunityÊtoÊlistenÊtoÊGod’sÊWordÊandÊre- memberÊanew,ÊtheÊplaceÊGod’sÊLawÊwasÊtoÊhaveÊinÊthisÊnewÊlandÊofÊ promise. a READÊJoshuaÊ8:30-35. OnceÊAiÊwasÊburnedÊwithÊfire,ÊallÊofÊIsraelÊtraveledÊnorthÊaboutÊthirty- fiveÊmilesÊthroughÊopenÊenemyÊterritoryÊtoÊShechem.Ê(ReferÊbackÊtoÊ yourÊmapÊonÊp.5ÊforÊtheÊlocaƟon.) · WhatÊwasÊtheÊfirstÊthingÊJoshuaÊdidÊonceÊtheyÊarrivedÊinÊtheÊvalleyÊ betweenÊMt.ÊEbalÊandÊMt.ÊGerizim? BeforeÊweÊconƟnueÊwithÊtheÊcurrentÊscene,Êlet’sÊfindÊoutÊhowÊShe- chemÊheldÊpreviousÊsignificanceÊforÊIsrael.ÊExplainÊtheÊhistoryÊofÊthisÊ locaƟonÊfrom:Ê · GenesisÊ12:6-7: · GenesisÊ33:18-20: FinallyÊREADÊDeuteronomyÊ27:1-26,ÊwhenÊMosesÊhadÊjustÊgivenÊin- strucƟonsÊforÊthisÊveryÊoccasionÊbeforeÊheÊdied. Day 5 — A Monument to God’s Word

FromÊthatÊpassage,ÊmakeÊaÊlistÊofÊwhichÊtribesÊofÊIsraelÊwereÊtoÊgatherÊ onÊwhichÊmountain: Mt.ÊEbal Mt.ÊGerizim TwoÊmountainsÊrose,ÊonÊeitherÊsideÊofÊaÊvalleyÊfloor,ÊtoÊcreateÊaÊveryÊ uniqueÊspace.ÊHereÊisÊhowÊAlanÊRedpathÊdescribedÊthatÊarea:Ê On either side of the valley of Shechem, two miles wide, stands a mountain — on the one side, Mount Ebal, rugged, barren, rocky; and on the other side, Mount Gerizim, wooded and beauƟful. Any traveler to the land of PalesƟne can tell you that you can stand on the top of Mount Ebal and talk with someone on the top of Mount Gerizim, almost without raising your voice, so perfect are the natural acousƟcs. The amphitheater provided by the valley is uƩerly natural and complete, and voices ring across it from peak to peak.4 · WhoÊandÊwhatÊwasÊtoÊbeÊinÊtheÊmiddleÊbetweenÊtheÊtwoÊmoun- tainsÊandÊtwoÊgroupsÊofÊpeople? CanÊyouÊplaceÊyourselfÊinÊthatÊscene?ÊCanÊyouÊhearÊJoshuaÊreadingÊ theÊWordÊofÊtheÊLawÊandÊtheÊroarÊofÊtheÊpeopleÊasÊtheyÊshouted,Ê “Amen?”ÊCertainly,ÊtheÊlocalsÊmustÊhaveÊbeenÊspyingÊonÊthisÊpublicÊ professionÊofÊGod’sÊLaw.ÊIÊwonderÊwhatÊtheyÊwereÊthinking!Ê God’sÊlawÊexpressesÊGod’sÊcharacterÊofÊholiness.ÊGodÊasksÊHisÊpeopleÊ toÊbe Holy, as I am Holy.ÊHeÊknowsÊourÊframe,ÊHeÊknowsÊourÊweak- nesses,ÊandÊyetÊitÊisÊaÊgoodÊthingÊtoÊmeditateÊonÊGod’sÊcharacterÊandÊ allowÊthatÊimprintÊtoÊbeÊuponÊus.

Questions for Thought & Discussion 1. WhatÊwereÊsomeÊofÊtheÊmistakesÊJoshuaÊandÊtheÊIsraelitesÊmade,Ê leadingÊupÊtoÊtheÊdefeatÊatÊAi?ÊHowÊdoÊsomeÊofÊthoseÊsameÊmis- takesÊseepÊintoÊourÊlives? 2. AchanÊsufferedÊthroughÊtheÊenƟreÊsearchÊprocessÊbeforeÊheÊwasÊ willingÊtoÊadmitÊandÊconfessÊhisÊsinfulÊacƟons.ÊWhyÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊ peopleÊstruggleÊsoÊmuchÊwithÊadmiƫngÊsinÊorÊwrongdoing? 3. Achan’sÊdecisionsÊaffectedÊsoÊmanyÊpeople.ÊHowÊawareÊareÊChris- ƟansÊthatÊtheirÊchoicesÊmayÊaffectÊothers?ÊHowÊawareÊareÊyou? 4. WhatÊhaveÊtheseÊchaptersÊtaughtÊyouÊaboutÊovercomingÊhumilia- Ɵon,Êfailure,ÊandÊdiscouragement? 5. TheÊsecondÊbaƩleÊplanÊagainstÊAiÊwasÊaÊcompletelyÊnewÊandÊ differentÊapproachÊthanÊJericho.ÊHowÊdoesÊthatÊspeakÊtoÊourÊÊÊÊ expectaƟonÊthatÊGodÊwillÊalwaysÊactÊinÊaÊsimilarÊwayÊinÊourÊlife?

InÊtheÊpreviousÊchapter,ÊweÊleŌÊIsraelÊloudlyÊaffirmingÊtheÊwordsÊofÊ MosesÊinÊtheÊValleyÊofÊShechem.ÊIt’sÊjustÊnotÊaÊlargeÊenoughÊterritoryÊ forÊsecrets,ÊandÊtheÊneighboringÊcity-statesÊmust haveÊbeenÊlistening.Ê ThisÊweek,ÊweÊreadÊtheirÊresponses,ÊwhichÊfallÊintoÊtwoÊcategories:Ê warÊorÊdecepƟon.ÊChapterÊnineÊnarratesÊtheÊlaƩer. a READÊJoshuaÊ9:1-15. · AŌerÊtheÊproclamaƟonsÊofÊtheÊLawÊonÊMt.ÊEbalÊandÊMt.ÊGerizim,Ê toÊwhereÊdidÊIsraelÊreturnÊ(v.6)? · WhatÊpeopleÊgroupÊdecidedÊtoÊact with cunning? LookÊatÊtheÊmapÊonÊp.5ÊtoÊrefreshÊyourÊ perspecƟveÊonÊGilgal,ÊShechemÊandÊGibeon. Let’sÊfocusÊinÊonÊtheÊdecepƟonÊofÊtheÊGibeonites: · WhatÊdidÊtheyÊsayÊaboutÊthemselvesÊandÊwhereÊtheyÊwereÊfrom? · HowÊdidÊtheyÊcostume themselvesÊtoÊcreateÊthatÊallusion? · WhatÊthreeÊvictories overÊspecificÊcountries/kingsÊdidÊtheyÊsayÊ theyÊhadÊheardÊof? Week 6 — Joshua 9-10 Day 1 — Let’s Make a Deal

Isn’tÊthatÊinteresƟng?ÊTheyÊsaidÊnothingÊaboutÊJerichoÊorÊAi.ÊDoingÊsoÊ mayÊhaveÊblownÊtheirÊcover.ÊInstead,ÊtheyÊonlyÊrecountedÊwhatÊhadÊ happenedÊfarÊacross the Jordan, asÊifÊthatÊwasÊtheirÊhomeÊterritory. · HowÊdidÊtheÊmenÊofÊIsraelÊconfirmÊtheÊGibeonite’sÊstoryÊ(v.14)? · WhatÊoneÊthingÊdidÊtheyÊneglectÊtoÊdoÊ(v.14)? · Therefore,ÊwhatÊarrangementÊdidÊJoshuaÊmakeÊwithÊthemÊ(v.15)? We’veÊallÊgoƩenÊcaught,ÊseeingÊwhatÊweÊwantedÊtoÊ seeÊinÊaÊpersonÊorÊsituaƟon.ÊWe’veÊprobablyÊalsoÊ goƩenÊcaughtÊenjoyingÊpraiseÊorÊflaƩery.ÊIÊsortÊofÊ thinkÊtheÊflaƩeryÊcausedÊIsraelÊtoÊloseÊfocus.ÊButÊ there’sÊalwaysÊaÊsureÊremedyÊforÊanyÊtypeÊofÊ decepƟonÊ—ÊstopÊtoÊprayÊandÊconsultÊwithÊGod!Ê ConsiderÊtheseÊScripturesÊandÊnoteÊhowÊtheyÊinspireÊyouÊtoÊseekÊ wisdomÊfromÊtheÊLordÊinÊallÊmaƩers: HoseaÊ14:9 EphesiansÊ5:8-11 1ÊJohnÊ4:1 Memory Verse — Week Six — Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by tesƟng you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

InÊyesterday’sÊpassage,ÊnobodyÊstoppedÊtoÊprayÊoverÊtheÊGibeoniteÊ delegaƟon,Ênobody soughtÊGod’sÊinsightÊandÊwisdom,Êeverybody wasÊ tricked;ÊtheyÊcompletelyÊbelievedÊtheÊvoiceÊofÊtheÊenemy.ÊInÊtheÊBible,Ê itÊseemsÊthatÊlotsÊofÊthingsÊchangeÊaŌerÊthreeÊdaysÊandÊthat’sÊwhatÊ happensÊinÊtheÊsecondÊhalfÊofÊchapterÊnineÊasÊtheÊtruthÊisÊrevealed. a READÊJoshuaÊ9:16-27. · OnceÊIsraelÊlearnedÊthatÊtheÊGibeonitesÊwereÊactuallyÊneighborsÊ andÊrealizedÊtheyÊhadÊmadeÊaÊcovenantÊwithÊtheirÊenemies,ÊwhatÊ wasÊtheÊreacƟonÊofÊtheÊcongregaƟonÊ(v.18)? · WhatÊdidÊtheyÊdecideÊtoÊdoÊwithÊtheÊGibeonitesÊ(v.19-21)? AtÊthisÊpoint,ÊthereÊwasn’tÊmuchÊtheyÊcould do. IÊsupposeÊJoshuaÊ couldÊhaveÊgoneÊbackÊonÊhisÊcontract,ÊkilledÊthemÊanyway,ÊandÊsweepÊ awayÊtheÊproblem.ÊThat’sÊalwaysÊaÊtemptaƟonÊwhenÊtheseÊthingsÊ happen. HaveÊyouÊeverÊfeltÊlikeÊtheÊIsraelÊcommunity,ÊwhenÊtheyÊexpressedÊ frustraƟonÊwithÊtheirÊleadersÊoverÊmakingÊtheÊcovenantÊinÊtheÊfirstÊ place?ÊHaveÊyouÊgrumbled?ÊDidÊyouÊeverÊconsiderÊthatÊyouÊmayÊhaveÊ madeÊtheÊsameÊdecision?ÊIt’sÊnotÊeasyÊbeingÊaÊleader.ÊÊ Here’sÊtheÊtwistÊ—ÊmaybeÊGod’sÊmercyÊwasÊatÊworkÊtowardÊtheÊ GibeonitesÊ—ÊmaybeÊthisÊwasÊanotherÊaspectÊofÊMercyÊinÊjudgment. · DidÊtheyÊspeakÊtheÊtruthÊaboutÊtheÊGodÊofÊIsrael’sÊtriumphÊoverÊ Egypt,ÊSihonÊandÊOg? · DidÊtheyÊfearÊtheÊGodÊofÊIsrael? Day 2 — The Truth of the Matter

· WhatÊaspectsÊofÊtheirÊdefenseÊstatementÊinÊv.24ÊactuallyÊendearsÊ themÊtoÊusÊaÊliƩleÊbit? · HowÊdoÊyouÊseeÊthatÊtheyÊdisplayedÊ humilityÊbeforeÊIsrael? · DidÊtheyÊshowÊanyÊsignsÊofÊsubverƟngÊIsraelÊanyÊfurther? WeÊsay,ÊGodÊworksÊallÊthingsÊtogetherÊforÊtheÊgoodÊofÊthoseÊwhoÊloveÊ Him,ÊwhoÊhaveÊbeenÊcalledÊaccordingÊtoÊHisÊpurpose.Ê(RomansÊ8:28) · WhatÊgoodÊandÊimportantÊlessonÊdidÊIsraelÊlearnÊfromÊthisÊaƩackÊ ofÊdecepƟon? ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ...plusÊnoÊmoreÊwoodÊandÊwaterÊchoresÊforÊawhile! · WhatÊgoodÊhappenedÊtoÊaÊgroupÊofÊpeopleÊwhoÊactuallyÊdidÊfearÊ theÊGodÊofÊIsrael?Ê ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ...looksÊlikeÊallÊthingsÊworkedÊforÊgood! PracƟceÊyourÊmemoryÊverseÊforÊthisÊweek.

InÊtheÊpreviousÊtwoÊdaysÊofÊstudy,ÊweÊnotedÊhowÊIsraelÊcameÊface-to- faceÊwithÊdecepƟon.ÊChapterÊten’sÊbaƩlesÊtakeÊonÊaÊmoreÊtradiƟonalÊ militaryÊnature,ÊbutÊwithÊsomeÊsupernaturalÊintervenƟon.Ê InÊtheÊsameÊwayÊthatÊIsraelÊfacedÊmanyÊtypesÊofÊbaƩlesÊinÊtheirÊearlyÊ daysÊinÊtheÊpromisedÊland,ÊweÊfaceÊdifferentÊkindsÊofÊbaƩlesÊinÊourÊ spiritualÊjourney.ÊPeterÊcauƟonedÊusÊtoÊbe sober-minded; and watchful, becauseÊourÊadversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1ÊPeterÊ5:8). InÊtheÊmidstÊofÊtheseÊbaƩlesÊandÊourÊinevitableÊmistakes,Êit’sÊaÊhugeÊ comfortÊtoÊknowÊthatÊGodÊdoesn’tÊputÊusÊinÊƟme-outÊasÊfarÊasÊHisÊ blessingsÊareÊconcerned.ÊGodÊblessesÊHisÊkids,ÊevenÊaŌerÊmessÊupsÊ andÊthat’sÊwhatÊwe’llÊseeÊhere,ÊfollowingÊtheÊdebacleÊwithÊtheÊ GibeonitesÊ—ÊGod’sÊblessing! a READÊJoshuaÊ10:1-8. · LookÊatÊv.6.ÊIdenƟfyÊwhereÊexactlyÊIsraelÊhadÊreturnedÊtoÊmakeÊ campÊonceÊagain.ÊDrawÊaÊsmallÊtentÊatÊGilgalÊonÊtheÊmapÊonÊp.5. V.5ÊidenƟfiesÊtheÊciƟesÊinvolvedÊinÊthisÊunitedÊaƩack.ÊUnderlineÊthemÊ inÊblueÊonÊtheÊmapÊonÊp.5Ê(noteÊJarmuthÊisÊinÊtheÊareaÊofÊMakkedah) · WhyÊdidÊtheÊnewsÊthatÊGibeonÊmadeÊpeaceÊwithÊIsraelÊfrightenÊ theÊkingÊofÊJerusalem? · WhyÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊallÊofÊthoseÊotherÊkingsÊwereÊmoƟvatedÊtoÊjoinÊ himÊinÊwar?ÊWhatÊwereÊtheyÊhopingÊtoÊaccomplish? Day 3 — Back on Track

· WhatÊwasÊGibeon’sÊbestÊdefenseÊagainstÊsoÊmanyÊfoes?ÊInÊotherÊ words,ÊwhoÊdidÊtheyÊturnÊtoÊforÊprotecƟon?Ê · WhatÊwasÊJoshua’sÊresponseÊtoÊtheirÊrequestÊ(v.7)? EvenÊthoughÊJoshua’sÊfeetÊwereÊmovingÊtowardÊGibeon,ÊIÊwonderÊ whereÊhisÊmindÊwas.ÊAŌerÊall,ÊitÊwasÊbadÊenoughÊtoÊhaveÊmadeÊpeaceÊ withÊtheÊGibeonites,ÊbutÊnowÊthereÊwasÊrealÊtroubleÊwithÊFIVEÊkings!Ê WhatÊthoughtsÊprobablyÊhauntedÊhimÊallÊtheÊwayÊthere? ...it was my mistake that caused these five kings to prepare for baƩle ...if only I had sought the Lord before we made that covenant …our problems just got five Ɵmes more complicated Aren’tÊthoseÊsomeÊofÊtheÊself-focused,Êone-linersÊthatÊgoÊthroughÊourÊ headsÊwhenÊweÊknowÊwe’veÊmadeÊaÊmistakeÊbutÊcan’tÊseemÊtoÊletÊitÊ go?ÊThoseÊaccusaƟonsÊcomeÊfromÊourÊfleshÊandÊfromÊourÊenemy.ÊÊ · InÊcontrast,ÊwhatÊdidÊtheÊvoiceÊofÊGodÊsayÊtoÊJoshuaÊinÊv.8? HaveÊyouÊmadeÊaÊrecentÊmistake?Ê HaveÊyouÊgoƩenÊentangledÊinÊsomethingÊthatÊyouÊreallyÊregret?Ê HasÊtheÊenemyÊfedÊyouÊaccusatoryÊone-liners? HaveÊyouÊrehearsedÊthemÊoverÊandÊover?Ê TakeÊaÊminuteÊtoÊapplyÊthisÊveryÊscenarioÊtoÊyourÊownÊlife.ÊJotÊdownÊ whatÊyouÊsenseÊtheÊLordÊisÊsayingÊinÊyourÊsituaƟon: WorkÊonÊyourÊmemoryÊverse.

OneÊthingÊnotÊtoÊbeÊoverlookedÊisÊthat,ÊmistakeÊorÊnot,ÊJoshuaÊ honoredÊhisÊcovenantÊwithÊGibeon.ÊGodÊisÊallÊaboutÊcovenants.Ê They’reÊimportant.ÊIÊbelieveÊthatÊmanyÊofÊtheÊblessingsÊwe’llÊreadÊ aboutÊtodayÊareÊbecauseÊJoshuaÊdidÊtheÊrightÊthingÊandÊkeptÊhisÊwordÊ withÊtheÊpeopleÊofÊGibeon. We’reÊstarƟngÊourÊreadingÊwithÊverseÊsevenÊtoday,ÊasÊanÊoverlap.ÊWeÊ madeÊaÊstrongÊpointÊaboutÊGod’sÊencouragementÊyesterday,ÊbutÊIÊ wantÊusÊtoÊnoƟceÊwhichÊcameÊfirst:Êencouragement from GodÊorÊ marching toward Gibeon! Hmmm, somethingÊtoÊconsider! a READÊJoshuaÊ10:7-15.Ê ThereÊareÊthreeÊdisƟnctÊandÊmiraculousÊintervenƟonsÊofÊtheÊLordÊinÊ thisÊpassage.ÊIdenƟfyÊthreeÊthingsÊthatÊdon’tÊnormallyÊhappenÊinÊyourÊ everydayÊbaƩles: · FromÊv.10 · FromÊv.11 · FromÊv.13 · WhyÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊJoshuaÊaskedÊthatÊspecialÊrequestÊofÊtheÊLord?Ê WhatÊdidÊheÊhopeÊtoÊaccomplish? Day 4 — One Amazing Day

· ByÊgranƟngÊJoshua’sÊrequest,ÊwhatÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊGodÊwasÊhopingÊ toÊseeÊhimÊaccomplish? WhatÊaboutÊyourÊlife?ÊHowÊlikelyÊareÊyouÊtoÊreachÊoutÊtoÊGodÊandÊaskÊ forÊBIGÊthings?ÊHowÊwouldÊyouÊtypicallyÊcompleteÊthisÊsentence? GodÊ_____________ÊgetsÊinvolvedÊinÊmyÊlife.Ê ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ(never,Êrarely,ÊsomeƟmes,Êregularly) HowÊdoesÊreadingÊaboutÊthisÊdayÊofÊbaƩleÊchangeÊyourÊanswer? ContentmentÊisÊaÊgreatÊChrisƟanÊvirtueÊasÊlongÊasÊitÊisÊplacedÊinÊtheÊ properÊcontext.ÊOneÊplaceÊinÊourÊlife,ÊwhereÊweÊdon’tÊwantÊtoÊbeÊ content,ÊisÊwithÊaÊmediocreÊspiritualÊlifeÊ—ÊIÊdon’tÊbelieveÊGodÊwantsÊ usÊtoÊbeÊcontentÊinÊthatÊareaÊeither. ReadÊtheseÊScripturesÊandÊjotÊdownÊhowÊtheyÊinspireÊyouÊtoÊreachÊ higher,ÊtrustÊgreaterÊandÊdrawÊcloserÊtoÊHimÊinÊyourÊbaƩles: PsalmÊ105:1-5 1ÊCorinthiansÊ9:24-26 HebrewsÊ12:1 HowÊisÊyourÊmemoryÊverseÊgoing?

AsÊweÊfinishÊstudyingÊtheÊchapterÊtoday,ÊweÊcan’tÊmissÊtheÊpassionateÊ advanceÊmadeÊbyÊIsrael.ÊGodÊhadÊpromisedÊthatÊHeÊwouldÊgiveÊthem,Ê Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon.Ê(JoshuaÊ1:3) WeÊrememberÊthatÊIsrael’sÊadvanceÊintoÊtheÊPromisedÊLandÊisÊalsoÊ illustraƟveÊofÊourÊownÊadvanceÊintoÊtheÊpromisesÊofÊGod.ÊKeepÊaÊ parallelÊunderstanding,ÊasÊyouÊfinishÊreadingÊaboutÊJoshuaÊtakingÊ awayÊmoreÊandÊmoreÊterritoryÊfromÊhisÊenemies. a READÊJoshuaÊ10:16-28.ÊTakeÊanotherÊlookÊatÊtheÊmapÊonÊp.5ÊtoÊ seeÊhowÊmuchÊterritoryÊwasÊsecuredÊinÊtheseÊfewÊdaysÊofÊbaƩle. · TheÊfiveÊkingsÊtookÊcoverÊinÊaÊcave.ÊWhyÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊJoshuaÊ decidedÊÊtoÊsimplyÊcontainÊthemÊinÊtheÊcaveÊtoÊbeÊdealtÊwithÊaŌerÊ theyÊfinishedÊtheirÊbaƩles? · V.21ÊindicatesÊthatÊIsraelÊseemedÊtoÊhaveÊsetÊupÊaÊtemporaryÊ campÊwhere? · JoshuaÊdidn’tÊdealÊwithÊtheÊfiveÊkingsÊprivately.ÊDescribeÊwhatÊtheÊ sceneÊlookedÊlikeÊwhenÊtheyÊwereÊbroughtÊoutÊofÊtheÊcave: · WhatÊwordsÊofÊencouragementÊdidÊJoshuaÊgiveÊinÊv.25ÊthatÊwereÊ veryÊsimilarÊtoÊwordsÊthatÊheÊhimselfÊhadÊreceivedÊfromÊtheÊLord? Day 5 — No King Left Behind

READÊColossiansÊ3:5-10.ÊWithÊtheseÊversesÊfromÊtheÊApostleÊPaul,ÊandÊ theÊsceneÊfromÊourÊcurrentÊchapterÊinÊmind,ÊwhatÊacƟonÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊ GodÊwouldÊhaveÊyou takeÊagainstÊlingeringÊsinsÊinÊyourÊlife? Now,ÊgetÊmoreÊspecific.ÊAskÊGodÊtoÊrevealÊspecificÊsinsÊorÊstrongholds,Ê orÊenemy kings,ÊthatÊyetÊneedÊtoÊbeÊsubduedÊinÊyourÊlife,ÊinÊorderÊforÊ youÊtoÊconƟnueÊtoÊcaptureÊterritoryÊthatÊGodÊpromised.ÊListÊthem: Now,ÊpictureÊyourselfÊwithÊyourÊfootÊonÊtheÊneckÊofÊthatÊenemyÊandÊ askÊtheÊLordÊtoÊgiveÊyouÊdominionÊthroughÊHisÊstrength. a READÊJoshuaÊ10:29-43.ÊIfÊyouÊcanÊgetÊpastÊtheÊpronunciaƟons,Ê thereÊisÊsoÊmuchÊenergyÊinÊthisÊpassage.ÊJoshuaÊandÊhisÊarmyÊjustÊ keepÊgoingÊandÊgoing,ÊtakingÊmoreÊterritory,ÊdestroyingÊthoseÊwhoÊ hadÊsetÊthemselvesÊagainstÊGod. · HowÊareÊJoshua’sÊvictoriesÊsummarizedÊinÊv.42,ÊandÊwhatÊisÊtheÊ mostÊimportantÊphrase? IÊhopeÊthisÊchapterÊhasÊinspiredÊyouÊtoÊmoveÊpastÊspiritualÊmediocrity.ÊÊ It’sÊsoÊeasyÊtoÊmerelyÊcrossÊoverÊtheÊJordan,ÊenjoyÊaÊfewÊcoolÊ victories,ÊlearnÊaÊfewÊlessonsÊandÊthenÊjustÊcoastÊintoÊcontentment,Ê allÊtheÊwhileÊlivingÊamongÊtheÊremainingÊenemies.ÊThisÊchapterÊ screams,ÊDon’t stop!!ÊGrabÊthoseÊenemyÊkingsÊ(whoÊsƟllÊhassleÊyou),Ê dragÊthemÊoutÊofÊtheÊcavesÊ(whereÊtheyÊwaitÊforÊyouÊtoÊforgetÊallÊthisÊ passionÊsoÊtheyÊcanÊeventuallyÊescape)ÊandÊputÊthemÊtoÊdeathÊNOW!

Questions for Thought & Discussion 1. YouÊmayÊthinkÊofÊyourselfÊasÊaÊveryÊdiscerningÊperson,ÊyetÊweÊseeÊ thatÊevenÊJoshuaÊwasÊdeceivedÊthroughÊflaƩery.ÊWhatÊisÊyourÊ Achilles’ÊheelÊasÊitÊrelatesÊtoÊpossibleÊdecepƟon? 2. JoshuaÊdidÊnotÊstopÊtoÊprayÊwhenÊfacingÊtheÊGibeonites.ÊWeÊareÊ oŌenÊcharacterizedÊbyÊtheÊsameÊneglect.ÊWhyÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊthatÊ weÊdon’tÊstopÊtoÊaskÊGod’sÊwisdomÊinÊmaƩers? 3. WhyÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊit’sÊdifficultÊtoÊtrustÊGodÊforÊyourÊfuture,ÊevenÊ whenÊHe’sÊshownÊHimselfÊfaithfulÊinÊyourÊpast? 4. InÊv.8,ÊGodÊspokeÊtoÊJoshuaÊinÊtheÊpastÊtenseÊaboutÊsomethingÊ thatÊhadn’tÊyetÊhappenedÊ(I have given them into your hands).ÊÊ TheÊoutcomeÊwasÊdetermined,ÊbutÊIsraelÊsƟllÊhadÊtoÊfight.ÊInÊwhatÊ areaÊofÊyourÊlifeÊdoÊyouÊsenseÊGodÊhasÊpromisedÊvictory,ÊbutÊyouÊ areÊsƟllÊfighƟngÊtoÊsecureÊthatÊvictory? 5. HowÊwouldÊyouÊexplainÊtoÊsomeoneÊthatÊourÊPromisedÊLandÊisÊaÊ landÊofÊblessingÊandÊconflictÊatÊtheÊsameÊƟme? 6. READÊJoelÊ2:32ÊandÊdiscussÊhowÊthisÊverseÊmayÊdescribeÊtheÊchar- acterÊofÊGodÊandÊHisÊdealingsÊwithÊpeople.

BraceÊyourselfÊforÊourÊreadingÊpaceÊthisÊweekÊ—ÊelevenÊchaptersÊ—Ê 319Êverses!ÊButÊyou’llÊquicklyÊunderstandÊwhyÊwe’reÊreadingÊaÊlargerÊ porƟonÊandÊansweringÊfewerÊquesƟons.Ê ButÊdon’tÊloseÊsteamÊonÊthisÊstudyÊ—ÊweeksÊeightÊandÊnineÊareÊsomeÊ ofÊtheÊbestÊpartsÊofÊtheÊenƟreÊbook.ÊIÊwantÊusÊtoÊcompleteÊtheÊwholeÊ studyÊofÊJoshua,ÊincludingÊtheÊlandÊdivisionsÊandÊtechnicalÊdetails.ÊIÊ promiseÊyou,Êwe’llÊsƟllÊfindÊgemsÊtoÊapplyÊtoÊourÊlives,ÊsoÊbeÊwatching! a READÊJoshuaÊ11:1-9.ÊGoÊtoÊtheÊmapÊonÊp.5Êand,ÊwithÊaÊredÊ pencil,ÊunderlineÊthoseÊciƟesÊthatÊareÊidenƟfiedÊinÊv.1. · HowÊwasÊthisÊcombinedÊarmyÊdescribedÊinÊv.4? FromÊv.6: · WhatÊwasÊGod’sÊencouragement? · HisÊpromise? · HisÊinstrucƟon? · HowÊdidÊJoshuaÊrespondÊtoÊthisÊinstrucƟonÊ(v.9)? InÊScripture,ÊhorsesÊandÊchariotsÊareÊoŌenÊassociatedÊwithÊtheÊ strengthÊrepresentedÊbyÊtheÊworld.ÊReadÊandÊjotÊdownÊnotesÊfromÊtheÊ followingÊversesÊinÊDeuteronomy:Ê Week 7 — Joshua 11-21 Day 1 — Nothing Left Undone

DeuteronomyÊ11:2-4 DeuteronomyÊ17:14-16 DeuteronomyÊ20:1 JoshuaÊwasÊobeyingÊtheÊinstrucƟonsÊofÊtheÊLordÊinÊthisÊpassage,ÊbutÊ whatÊelseÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊheÊwasÊdeclaringÊbyÊhisÊacƟons? WhatÊmightÊbeÊaÊcounterpartÊinÊyourÊlifeÊtoÊhorses and chariots?ÊIsÊ thereÊsomethingÊthatÊGodÊmightÊwarnÊyouÊnotÊtoÊrelyÊonÊinÊplaceÊofÊ HisÊpower? a READÊJoshuaÊ11:10-23. · HowÊlongÊdidÊJoshuaÊ(andÊIsrael)ÊmakeÊwarÊ(v.18)? WeÊthinkÊitÊwasÊapproximatelyÊsevenÊyearsÊofÊwarÊ(becauseÊofÊCaleb’sÊ age,ÊwhichÊwe’llÊnoteÊtomorrow),ÊbutÊitÊwasÊaÊveryÊsuccessfulÊ campaign.Ê“Divide and Conquer”ÊisÊtheÊmilitaryÊphraseÊweÊuseÊandÊitÊisÊ anÊeffecƟveÊstrategy.ÊByÊlookingÊatÊyourÊmapÊonÊp.5,ÊcombinedÊwithÊ whatÊyou’veÊstudiedÊthisÊweek,ÊexplainÊhowÊGodÊorderedÊthingsÊtoÊsetÊ IsraelÊupÊforÊsuccess: Memory Verse — Week Seven — GalaƟans 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

TheÊfinalÊverseÊofÊchapterÊelevenÊsays,Ê“And the land had rest from war”,ÊmeaningÊtheÊmajorÊbaƩlesÊwereÊwon.ÊNow,ÊIsraelÊcouldÊwalkÊinÊ God’sÊblessingÊandÊexperienceÊtheÊpromisedÊvictoryÊandÊrest.Ê ThereÊwouldÊyetÊbeÊsmaller,ÊindividualÊbaƩlesÊtoÊcomeÊbutÊtheÊstageÊ forÊsuccessÊhadÊbeenÊsetÊandÊtheÊonlyÊthingÊremainingÊwasÊtoÊwalkÊitÊ out.ÊChapterÊtwelveÊisÊaÊrecordÊofÊwhatÊhadÊalreadyÊbeenÊ accomplished,ÊincludingÊaÊdetailedÊregisterÊofÊaccounts.Ê a READÊJoshuaÊ12:1-6.ÊÊThisÊwasÊaÊrecordÊofÊpastÊhistoryÊ—ÊtheÊ victoryÊsecuredÊbyÊMosesÊonÊtheÊeastÊsideÊofÊtheÊJordan.Ê a READÊJoshuaÊ12:7-24.ÊÊThisÊrepresentedÊaÊrecordÊofÊmoreÊrecentÊ historyÊ—ÊvictoriesÊsecuredÊbyÊJoshuaÊonÊtheÊwestÊsideÊofÊtheÊJordan.Ê So,ÊwhyÊtheÊlists?ÊGodÊmovedÊuponÊBiblicalÊwritersÊtoÊmakeÊlotsÊofÊ lists,ÊsoÊweÊneedÊtoÊbelieveÊtheyÊserveÊaÊgoodÊpurpose.ÊAsÊforÊme,ÊIÊ believeÊthatÊrecordingÊwhatÊGod’sÊdoneÊinÊmyÊlifeÊisÊoneÊofÊtheÊmostÊ importantÊlistsÊIÊcanÊeverÊmake.ÊDoÊyouÊhaveÊaÊprayerÊjournalÊorÊaÊ meansÊtoÊrecordÊGod’sÊvictoriesÊinÊyourÊlife?ÊÊIfÊyouÊdon’t,ÊmaybeÊtheÊ mostÊimportantÊthingÊtoÊdoÊtodayÊwouldÊbeÊtoÊstartÊthat.ÊRecounƟngÊ God’sÊfaithfulnessÊinÊtheÊpastÊcreatesÊforÊusÊaÊveryÊinspiraƟonalÊ weaponÊforÊourÊfuture! a READÊJoshuaÊ13.ÊWeÊalreadyÊsaidÊthereÊwasÊmoreÊlandÊtoÊbeÊ possessedÊandÊhereÊGodÊsaidÊasÊmuchÊtoÊJoshua.ÊThen,ÊlikeÊaÊtreasureÊ map,ÊHeÊbeganÊtoÊmarkÊitÊout.Ê ThereÊareÊundoubtedlyÊplentyÊofÊterritoriesÊinÊourÊownÊspiritualÊwalkÊ yetÊtoÊbeÊclaimedÊforÊtheÊLord.ÊIfÊtheÊLordÊmappedÊthemÊoutÊforÊyou,Ê whatÊwouldÊsomeÊofÊtheÊterritoryÊlookÊlike? Day 2 — Looking Back on Victories

ChapterÊthirteenÊdetailsÊtheÊinheritanceÊforÊtheÊtribesÊthatÊhadÊchosenÊ toÊremainÊonÊtheÊeastÊsideÊofÊtheÊJordanÊinÊtheÊplainsÊofÊMoab:ÊhalfÊofÊ theÊtribeÊofÊManasseh,ÊtheÊReubenites,ÊandÊtheÊGadites.Ê(AsÊweÊreadÊ aboutÊinheritances,ÊyouÊcanÊfollowÊalongÊonÊtheÊmapÊonÊp.73.) ThereÊisÊaÊliƩleÊverseÊtuckedÊinÊthereÊaboutÊtheÊtribeÊofÊLevi.Ê · FromÊJoshuaÊ13:14,ÊwhatÊwasÊtheÊinheritanceÊofÊLevi? a READÊJoshuaÊ14. · EvenÊthoughÊtheÊtribeÊofÊLeviÊdidn’tÊreceiveÊanÊallotmentÊofÊland,Ê accordingÊtoÊv.4,ÊwhatÊdid theyÊreceive? IÊloveÊtheÊsecondÊpartÊofÊthisÊchapter.ÊInÊtheÊmidstÊofÊassigningÊ territoriesÊtoÊlargeÊgroupsÊofÊpeople,ÊtheÊwholeÊparadeÊslowedÊdownÊ toÊhandÊanÊinheritanceÊtoÊCaleb. · HowÊoldÊwasÊCalebÊatÊthisÊƟme? · HowÊdidÊheÊdescribeÊhisÊstrength? · WhatÊterritoryÊwasÊCalebÊgiven? READÊNumbersÊ14:6-9ÊtoÊreviewÊwhatÊhadÊhappenedÊ45ÊyearsÊprior.Ê WhatÊaÊreminderÊthatÊGodÊkeepsÊHisÊpromises!ÊCalebÊactedÊandÊspokeÊ withÊfaithÊinÊthatÊdayÊandÊnowÊheÊisÊhonoredÊwithÊtheÊfruitÊofÊhisÊfaithÊ —ÊtheÊveryÊlandÊofÊwhichÊheÊspoke.ÊHowÊdoesÊthatÊinspireÊyouÊinÊ thoseÊareasÊforÊwhichÊyouÊareÊwaiƟngÊpaƟently? a READÊJoshuaÊ15-16ÊandÊworkÊonÊyourÊmemoryÊverseÊforÊthisÊ week. Day 3 — God Keeps His Promises

ReadingÊtheseÊinheritanceÊallotmentsÊisÊaÊbitÊlikeÊreadingÊdirecƟonsÊtoÊ driveÊthroughÊaÊtownÊyou’veÊneverÊbeenÊtoÊ—Êit’sÊaÊchallenge!ÊButÊ we’reÊgoingÊtoÊreadÊthemÊbecauseÊthereÊareÊliƩleÊnuggetsÊofÊgoldÊforÊ usÊtoÊfindÊandÊapplyÊtoÊourÊownÊspiritualÊinheritance. a READÊJoshuaÊ17:1-6.ÊHereÊweÊfindÊanotherÊpersonalÊinheritanceÊ claimÊsimilarÊtoÊthatÊofÊCaleb.ÊTheÊdaughtersÊofÊZelophehadÊknewÊthatÊ MosesÊhadÊalreadyÊpromisedÊthem landÊsinceÊtheirÊfatherÊhadÊnoÊ sons.ÊREADÊNumbersÊ27:1-8ÊtoÊreviewÊthatÊrequest. · NameÊtwoÊreasonsÊtheÊladiesÊaskedÊMosesÊtoÊpromiseÊthemÊland: InÊourÊcurrentÊreading,ÊtheyÊapproachedÊtheÊleadersÊtoÊremindÊthemÊ ofÊthatÊpreviousÊpromise.Ê · WhatÊwasÊtheÊresponseÊofÊEleazarÊandÊJoshuaÊ(v.4)? GodÊlovesÊitÊwhenÊweÊremindÊHimÊofÊHisÊPromises! a READÊJoshuaÊ17:7-18.ÊRatherÊthanÊremindingÊGodÊofÊHisÊpriorÊ promises,ÊinÊthisÊsecƟon,ÊweÊseeÊaÊgroupÊofÊpeopleÊfailingÊtoÊtakeÊfullÊ advantageÊofÊwhatÊtheyÊhaveÊalreadyÊbeenÊgiven.ÊJustÊasÊaÊreminder,Ê bothÊEphraimÊandÊManassehÊareÊsonsÊofÊJosephÊandÊtheyÊwereÊeachÊ givenÊaÊfullÊporƟonÊofÊinheritanceÊasÊifÊtheyÊwereÊsonsÊofÊJacob.Ê · FromÊv.12,ÊdescribeÊtheÊproblemÊManassehÊwasÊhaving: · GoÊbackÊtoÊ16:10ÊandÊnoteÊtheÊproblemÊEphraimÊhad: Day 4 — Passing out the Inheritance

OnÊtheÊsurface,ÊitÊseemsÊlikeÊaÊlegiƟmateÊproblemÊ—ÊtheÊinhabitantsÊ ofÊtheÊlandÊwereÊjustÊtooÊtoughÊofÊaÊprojectÊforÊthem.ÊWhat’sÊtellingÊ thoughÊisÊthatÊinsteadÊofÊpersevering,ÊtheyÊlookedÊforÊexcuses. · InÊv.14,ÊwhatÊwasÊtheirÊcomplaint? · InÊv.15,ÊwhatÊwasÊJoshua’sÊrecommendaƟonÊtoÊfixÊtheÊproblem? · InÊv.16,ÊtheÊpeopleÊofÊJosephÊ(EphraimÊandÊManasseh)ÊactuallyÊ describeÊtheirÊreal problem/fearÊ—ÊwhatÊwasÊit? Isn’tÊthatÊhowÊitÊgoesÊforÊus?Ê—ÊGodÊgivesÊusÊaÊspiritualÊinheritanceÊ—Ê the opportunity to approach God (Heb.Ê4:16),Êvictory over sin (2ÊPet.Ê 1:3), good works that He prepared in advance (EphÊ2:10),ÊandÊmore.Ê He’sÊgivenÊtheseÊwithinÊaÊspecificÊterritoryÊ(lot)ÊwhereÊHeÊexpectsÊusÊ toÊflourishÊandÊweÊbeginÊtoÊpickÊitÊallÊapartÊandÊfindÊproblems.Ê TheÊtruthÊoŌenÊliesÊinÊtwoÊareas:Ê1)ÊweÊareÊapatheƟcÊaboutÊourÊ potenƟalÊinheritance,Ê2)ÊweÊthinkÊthatÊtheÊterritoryÊGodÊhasÊplacedÊusÊ inÊisÊtooÊhardÊ—ÊallÊweÊseeÊareÊironÊchariots. DoesÊthisÊstrikeÊaÊchordÊwithÊyou?ÊAreÊyouÊdiscouragedÊwithÊsomeÊ workÊGodÊhasÊgivenÊtoÊyouÊandÊyouÊsimplyÊcomplainÊaboutÊtheÊ problems?ÊIfÊso,ÊwhatÊisÊitÊandÊwhatÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊGodÊwouldÊtellÊyouÊ toÊdoÊasÊaÊremedy?

a READÊJoshuaÊ18–19.ÊNoteÊwhereÊtheÊcenterÊofÊworshipÊmovedÊ toÊinÊ18:1.ÊOnÊtheÊmapÊonÊp.73ÊandÊdrawÊaÊliƩleÊtentÊatÊthatÊlocaƟon.Ê a READÊJoshuaÊ20.ÊSixÊtownsÊ(threeÊonÊeachÊsideÊofÊtheÊJordan)Ê wereÊestablishedÊasÊCiƟes of Refuge.ÊCircleÊthemÊonÊtheÊmapÊonÊtheÊ nextÊpage. GodÊisÊintoÊmercyÊandÊHeÊwantsÊHisÊpeopleÊtoÊbeÊmerciful.ÊGodÊisÊalsoÊ intoÊjusƟce.ÊTheÊproblemÊis,Êit’sÊeasyÊforÊusÊtoÊpushÊasideÊmercyÊandÊ rushÊheadlongÊintoÊwhatÊweÊbelieveÊtoÊbeÊjusƟce;ÊorÊgoÊtheÊotherÊway. · WhatÊareÊtwoÊkeysÊthatÊclassifiedÊsomeoneÊasÊaÊmanslayerÊratherÊ thanÊaÊmurdererÊaccordingÊtoÊv.3? LifeÊhappens!ÊAccidentsÊhappen!ÊButÊifÊit’sÊyourÊlovedÊoneÊwhoÊisÊ dead,ÊitÊmayÊnotÊmaƩerÊtoÊyouÊifÊtheÊactÊwasÊintenƟonÊorÊaccidental.Ê That’sÊwhyÊanÊemoƟonalÊorÊevenÊphysicalÊsafeÊplaceÊwasÊneededÊ—ÊatÊ leastÊunƟlÊallÊtheÊfactsÊcouldÊbeÊgatheredÊandÊsortedÊthrough. ThereÊisÊaÊcompanionÊprincipleÊforÊus.ÊHowÊdoÊyouÊrespondÊwhenÊ someoneÊseriouslyÊinjuresÊyou,ÊintenƟonallyÊorÊnot?ÊHaveÊyouÊcreatedÊ anÊemoƟonalÊcity of refuge,ÊasÊaÊprovisionÊforÊaÊcooling-offÊperiod?Ê WhatÊScriptureÊcouldÊyouÊfindÊandÊwriteÊbelowÊasÊaÊgo-to forÊsuchÊaÊ Ɵme? Day 5 — Mistakes to Avoid

Map of Israel’s Allotments by Tribe

Questions for Thought & Discussion 1. GenuineÊfaithÊlikeÊCaleb’sÊtendsÊtoÊinfluenceÊothers.ÊHowÊhaveÊ youÊbeenÊinfluencedÊinÊyourÊlifeÊbyÊtheÊfaithÊofÊanother? 2. ComplainingÊandÊexcusesÊalsoÊtendÊtoÊinfluenceÊothers.ÊHaveÊyouÊ beenÊinfluencedÊinÊyourÊlifeÊbyÊthoseÊwhoÊthinkÊGodÊhasÊgivenÊ themÊtooÊdifficultÊofÊaÊlaneÊtoÊrunÊin? 3. WeÊsomeƟmesÊhearÊthatÊtheÊBibleÊdismissesÊwomenÊandÊtheirÊ rights.ÊDiscussÊhowÊthisÊweek’sÊpassageÊaboutÊtheÊdaughtersÊofÊ ZelophehadÊgoesÊagainstÊthatÊpercepƟon. 4. IfÊyouÊhaveÊwalkedÊwithÊtheÊLordÊforÊawhile,ÊdoÊyouÊrememberÊ ‘going hard’ whenÊyouÊwereÊfirstÊsaved?ÊWhatÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊ happensÊtoÊusÊwhen,ÊaŌerÊawhile,ÊweÊwantÊtoÊ‘go easy’? 5. BecauseÊIsraelÊdidÊnotÊcompletelyÊremoveÊtheÊCanaaniteÊ inhabitantsÊfromÊtheÊland,ÊtheyÊbecameÊhinderedÊinÊtheirÊworshipÊ andÊserviceÊtoÊGod.ÊTheÊCanaanitesÊrepresentÊsin,ÊandÊthereÊareÊ alwaysÊlong-termÊconsequencesÊwhenÊweÊeitherÊrefuse,ÊorÊ neglectÊtoÊeliminateÊsinÊfromÊourÊlives.ÊHowÊhasÊthisÊweek’sÊstudyÊ inspiredÊyouÊtoÊhuntÊdownÊmoreÊCanaanitesÊandÊtakeÊawayÊtheirÊ land?

HaveÊyouÊeverÊhadÊaÊstrenuousÊdayÊatÊworkÊorÊschool,ÊorÊlaboredÊlongÊ withÊaÊproject?ÊTheÊmostÊgloriousÊpartÊofÊaÊdayÊlikeÊthatÊisÊwhenÊit’sÊ ƟmeÊtoÊgoÊhome.ÊTheÊmissionÊisÊaccomplished,ÊeveryoneÊisÊrelaƟvelyÊ happyÊandÊtheÊnextÊtaskÊisÊtoÊmakeÊsureÊyouÊjustÊdon’tÊmessÊitÊallÊup!Ê ThisÊweek’sÊchapterÊisÊallÊaboutÊrelaƟonalÊlifeÊaŌerÊvictory.ÊThereÊcanÊ beÊpiƞallsÊtoÊavoidÊaŌerÊaÊƟmeÊofÊsuccess,ÊandÊperhapsÊwe’llÊdiscoverÊ someÊimportantÊlifeÊskillsÊinÊthisÊchapter.Ê a READÊJoshuaÊ22:1-10.ÊAsÊtheÊtribesÊwhoÊpreviouslyÊclaimedÊlandÊ onÊtheÊeasternÊsideÊofÊtheÊJordanÊpreparedÊtoÊheadÊhome,ÊJoshuaÊ praisedÊthemÊforÊaÊjobÊwellÊdone.ÊWhatÊwereÊJoshua’sÊtwoÊpointsÊofÊ praiseÊandÊoneÊwarning? · PraiseÊinÊv.2: · PraiseÊinÊv.3: · WarningÊinÊv.5: · FromÊv.8,ÊwhatÊdidÊyouÊlearnÊtheyÊwereÊtakingÊbackÊhomeÊwithÊ them? Week 8— Joshua 22 Day 1 — Returning Home

· WhyÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊitÊwasÊimportantÊorÊnecessaryÊthatÊtheyÊbeÊ warnedÊtoÊconƟnueÊtoÊwalkÊinÊallÊtheÊwaysÊofÊtheÊLord? Certainly,ÊitÊmustÊhaveÊbeenÊaÊsaƟsfyingÊƟme.ÊTheseÊmenÊlaboredÊ side-by-sideÊwithÊallÊofÊIsraelÊforÊapproximatelyÊsevenÊyears.ÊIÊwonderÊ ifÊtheyÊhadÊdevisedÊaÊwayÊtoÊrotateÊsomeÊofÊtheÊmenÊtoÊcheckÊinÊonÊ theirÊwives,ÊliƩleÊonesÊandÊlivestockÊduringÊthoseÊyears.ÊInÊsomeÊways,Ê theirÊdecisionÊtoÊclaimÊlandÊonÊtheÊeastÊsideÊofÊtheÊJordanÊmadeÊlifeÊ moreÊchallengingÊforÊthemÊinÊthatÊtheÊriverÊcreatedÊaÊnaturalÊbarrierÊ fromÊtheirÊlovedÊones.Ê AsÊweÊreadÊv.10,ÊweÊcanÊpictureÊthemÊcomingÊtoÊthatÊriver,ÊknowingÊitÊ wasÊprobablyÊtheÊlastÊƟmeÊtheyÊwouldÊbeÊonÊtheÊwestÊsideÊofÊit. · ÊWhatÊdidÊtheyÊdoÊthere? · CanÊyouÊspeculateÊasÊtoÊwhy? YouÊmayÊknowÊthisÊaltarÊwillÊturnÊintoÊaÊhugeÊmisunderstanding.ÊRightÊ now,ÊitÊdoesn’tÊseemÊlikeÊmuchÊofÊaÊproblemÊandÊitÊcouldÊhaveÊ remainedÊjustÊthatÊway.ÊWe’reÊgoingÊtoÊsuggestÊaÊseriesÊofÊlessonsÊ eachÊdayÊthisÊweekÊthatÊweÊcanÊapplyÊfromÊthisÊchapter. LessonÊ#1Ê—ÊResistÊtheÊtemptaƟonÊtoÊover-thinkÊotherÊpeople’sÊ acƟons.ÊInÊwhatÊwayÊhasÊthatÊbeenÊaÊproblemÊforÊyouÊinÊtheÊpast?Ê HowÊcanÊyouÊapplyÊthatÊrightÊnowÊtoÊyourÊlife? Memory Verse — Week Eight — Psalm 133:1,3 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

WeÊleŌÊoffÊreadingÊaboutÊtwoÊandÊaÊhalfÊtribesÊofÊIsraelitesÊmakingÊ theirÊfinalÊmarchÊtoÊtheirÊpermanentÊhomeÊonÊtheÊotherÊsideÊofÊtheÊ river.ÊBut,ÊbeforeÊtheyÊcrossedÊover,ÊtheyÊmadeÊan altar.ÊThat’sÊALLÊ theÊtextÊtoldÊusÊrightÊupÊtoÊv.10,ÊbutÊit’sÊaboutÊtoÊgetÊcomplicated. a READÊJoshuaÊ22:11-12.Ê · ReadÊtheÊfirstÊphraseÊinÊv.11ÊfromÊaÊhandfulÊofÊtranslaƟons.ÊWhatÊ senseÊdoÊyouÊgetÊfromÊthoseÊreadings? · WhenÊtheÊpeopleÊofÊIsraelÊheard these things said,ÊhowÊdidÊtheyÊ respond? ItÊseemsÊlikeÊaÊbitÊofÊanÊover-reacƟonÊdon’tÊyouÊthink?ÊIÊmean,ÊtheseÊ peopleÊhaveÊbeenÊfighƟngÊside-by-sideÊasÊaÊnaƟonÊforÊtheÊbeƩerÊpartÊ ofÊaÊdecade,ÊandÊnowÊthey’reÊassemblingÊtoÊwarÊagainstÊtheirÊ brothersÊbecauseÊofÊsomethingÊsomeone said? LessonÊ#2Ê—ÊDon’tÊover-reactÊwhenÊfedÊinformaƟonÊaboutÊyourÊ friendsÊorÊfamily.ÊTakeÊƟmeÊtoÊinvesƟgateÊbeforeÊyouÊplan for war. InÊwhatÊwayÊhasÊthatÊbeenÊaÊproblemÊforÊyouÊinÊtheÊpast?Ê HowÊcanÊyouÊapplyÊthisÊlessonÊrightÊnowÊtoÊyourÊlife? Day 2 — Second-hand Information

EvenÊthoughÊIsraelÊpreparedÊforÊwar,ÊsanityÊdidÊprevailÊandÊtheyÊsentÊ aÊdelegaƟonÊtoÊdiscussÊtheÊmaƩer.ÊTHATÊpartÊwasÊaÊgoodÊidea… a READÊJoshuaÊ22:13-20 · WhomÊdidÊtheyÊsendÊonÊtheÊdiplomaƟcÊmissionÊ(v.13-14)? · InÊv.16,ÊwhatÊconclusionÊhadÊtheyÊalreadyÊmadeÊandÊusedÊtoÊ accuseÊtheÊEasternÊtribes? LessonÊ#3Ê—ÊResistÊjumping to conclusionsÊbasedÊonÊappearances.ÊÊAsÊ weÊsay,Ê‘there are two sides to the same coin’.ÊItÊallÊdependsÊonÊ whereÊyou’reÊstandingÊtoÊviewÊit. JumpingÊtoÊconclusionsÊisÊbadÊenough,ÊbutÊthenÊtheÊofficersÊseemÊtoÊ throw the past in their facesÊbeforeÊlisteningÊtoÊtheirÊresponse!ÊDon’tÊ weÊallÊloveÊitÊwhenÊpeopleÊremindÊusÊofÊwhoÊweÊwereÊinÊtheÊpast? · WhatÊtwoÊincidentsÊfromÊIsrael’sÊhistoryÊdidÊtheÊdelegaƟonÊbringÊ upÊasÊaÊreminder? LessonÊ#4Ê—ÊResistÊbringing up the past,ÊatÊleastÊunƟlÊyou’veÊ gatheredÊallÊtheÊfacts,ÊandÊgivenÊtheÊotherÊpartyÊaÊchanceÊtoÊspeak.Ê InÊwhatÊwayÊcanÊyouÊapplyÊtheseÊlessonsÊrightÊnowÊtoÊyourÊlife? PracƟceÊyourÊmemoryÊverseÊforÊthisÊweek. Day 3 — Jumping to Conclusions

FinallyÊtheÊpeopleÊofÊReuben,ÊGadÊandÊManassehÊrealizedÊtheÊ misunderstandingÊandÊgotÊaÊchanceÊtoÊdefendÊthemselves! a READÊJoshuaÊ22:21-29.Ê · WhenÊtheÊtribesÊheardÊwhatÊIsraelÊthoughtÊtheyÊwereÊupÊto,ÊwhatÊ sortÊofÊexclamaƟonÊcameÊoutÊ(v.22)? · WhatÊdidÊtheyÊsayÊwasÊtheÊpurposeÊofÊtheÊaltarÊinÊv.27? · MoreÊspecifically,ÊinÊv.28,ÊwhatÊkindÊofÊconversaƟonsÊdidÊtheyÊ hopeÊtheÊaltarÊwouldÊproduce? · And,ÊinÊv.24,ÊwhatÊemoƟonÊdidÊtheyÊsayÊmoƟvatedÊthemÊtowardÊ buildingÊtheÊaltar? ThatÊgivesÊusÊsomethingÊtoÊthinkÊabout!ÊHowÊmanyÊofÊourÊacƟonsÊareÊÊ basedÊoutÊofÊfear?ÊHowÊmanyÊƟmesÊdoÊweÊhesitateÊbecauseÊofÊfear?Ê WeÊareÊoŌenÊmuchÊworseÊatÊanƟcipaƟngÊtheÊfutureÊthanÊweÊbelieve! LessonÊ#5Ê—ÊResistÊtakingÊacƟonÊbasedÊonÊfear of what might happen.Ê InÊwhatÊwayÊcanÊyouÊapplyÊthisÊlessonÊrightÊnowÊtoÊyourÊlife? PracƟceÊyourÊmemoryÊverse. Day 4 — Fear-based Decisions

OnceÊtheÊEasternÊtribesÊhadÊaÊchanceÊtoÊbeÊheardÊ—ÊallÊwasÊwell.ÊIsn’tÊ thatÊoŌenÊtheÊtruthÊinÊlife,ÊonceÊbothÊsidesÊofÊaÊstoryÊareÊheard,Êevery -thingÊsimmersÊdown?ÊButÊhonestly,ÊtheyÊdidn’tÊhaveÊtoÊgoÊthroughÊ allÊofÊthatÊifÊeitherÊorÊbothÊparƟesÊhadÊjustÊthoughtÊtoÊcommunicateÊ moreÊclearlyÊinÊtheÊfirstÊplace.Ê Ê a READÊJoshuaÊ22:30-34.Ê · HowÊdidÊPhinehasÊreceiveÊtheÊexplanaƟonÊfromÊtheÊEasternÊtribesÊ andÊwhatÊdidÊheÊdoÊwithÊthatÊinformaƟon? · SummarizeÊtheÊWesternÊtribes’ÊfinalÊresponse: LessonÊ#6Ê—ÊConsiderÊclearly communicaƟng yourÊintenƟonsÊupfront.Ê InÊwhatÊwayÊcouldÊtheÊEasternÊtribesÊhaveÊcommunicatedÊandÊ eliminatedÊallÊtheÊdrama? InÊwhatÊwayÊcanÊyouÊapplyÊthisÊlessonÊrightÊnowÊinÊyourÊlife? ThisÊchapterÊisÊaÊusefulÊmanualÊforÊresisƟngÊassumpƟons,ÊdealingÊwithÊ misunderstandingsÊandÊwalkingÊinÊpeaceÊwithÊoneÊanother.ÊReadÊtheÊ followingÊversesÊandÊnoteÊhowÊweÊcanÊapplyÊtheÊwisdomÊtheyÊcontainÊ toÊsituaƟonsÊsuchÊasÊthese. ProverbsÊ14:29 ProverbsÊ15:1 ProverbsÊ18:17 JamesÊ1:19-20 ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊReciteÊyourÊmemoryÊverseÊtoÊsomeone Day 5 — Clear Communication is Best

Questions for Thought & Discussion 1. HowÊmightÊJoshua’sÊsend-offÊmessageÊinÊv.2-5ÊbeÊturnedÊintoÊaÊ paƩernÊforÊsendingÊoffÊlovedÊonesÊtoÊsummerÊcamp,Êcollege,ÊÊ marriage,Êetc.? 2. READÊPhilippiansÊ4:8.ÊWhyÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊaskingÊtheÊquesƟon,Ê‘Is it true?’ÊshouldÊalwaysÊbeÊaÊfirst stepÊwhenÊconfrontedÊwithÊinfor- maƟonÊaboutÊothers?ÊWhatÊmakesÊthatÊdifficultÊtoÊdo? 3. ThereÊwereÊsoÊmanyÊlife lessonsÊpackedÊintoÊeachÊday’sÊreading.ÊIfÊ anyÊofÊthoseÊdescribedÊaÊcertainÊrelaƟonalÊperplexityÊinÊyourÊlife,Ê youÊcanÊbelieveÊthatÊGodÊhasÊaÊplan.ÊExplainÊwhyÊthereÊisn’tÊaÊone -size–fits-allÊremedyÊtoÊtheseÊsortsÊofÊcomplexÊsituaƟons. 4. HowÊmightÊanÊolderÊorÊleader-typeÊpersonÊ(likeÊEleazer)ÊbeÊusefulÊ asÊaÊmediatorÊinÊmodern-dayÊsituaƟonsÊsuchÊasÊthese? 5. OnceÊtheÊtruthÊofÊaÊsituaƟonÊisÊuncovered,ÊwhyÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊit’sÊ someƟmesÊdifficultÊtoÊstopÊre-hashingÊtheÊwholeÊmisunderstand- ing?ÊWhyÊisÊitÊimportantÊtoÊjustÊletÊitÊbeÊdone?

It’sÊsoÊsaƟsfyingÊwhenÊaÊgoodÊbookÊhasÊaÊgoodÊending.ÊIÊthinkÊtheÊ bookÊofÊJoshuaÊhasÊaÊpreƩyÊgoodÊendingÊ—ÊatÊleastÊJoshuaÊhadÊtheÊ opportunityÊtoÊsayÊwhatÊhe wantedÊtoÊsayÊandÊwhatÊGod wantedÊhimÊ toÊsay,ÊbeforeÊhisÊdaysÊdrewÊtoÊanÊend.ÊInÊchapterÊ23,ÊJoshuaÊinspiredÊ theÊeldersÊofÊIsraelÊtowardÊgodlyÊliving,ÊbeforeÊheÊaddressedÊtheÊ wholeÊnaƟonÊinÊchapterÊ24.ÊWhenÊaÊgreatÊstatesmanÊlikeÊJoshuaÊ speaksÊhisÊparƟngÊwordsÊandÊwarnings,Êit’sÊworthÊpayingÊaƩenƟon! a READÊJoshuaÊ23:1-11.ÊWhenÊdidÊJoshuaÊspeakÊtheseÊthings? · ListÊsomeÊofÊtheÊimportantÊthingsÊthatÊJoshuaÊwantedÊtoÊbringÊtoÊ theÊmindsÊofÊtheÊmenÊ(v.3-5): EvenÊthoughÊaÊlongÊƟmeÊhadÊpassedÊandÊrestÊwasÊmenƟoned,ÊweÊgetÊ theÊsenseÊthatÊIsraelÊwasn’tÊcompletelyÊfinishedÊclaimingÊtheirÊ inheritance.ÊThereÊwasÊsƟllÊmoreÊworkÊtoÊbeÊdone.Ê · WhatÊwereÊtheÊmostÊimportantÊthingsÊthatÊtheÊpeopleÊneededÊtoÊ remember,ÊinÊorderÊtoÊexperienceÊconƟnuedÊsuccessÊ(v.6-8)? · ThinkÊofÊoneÊwordÊtoÊsumÊupÊtheÊmessageÊfromÊv.6-8: Week 9— Joshua 23-24 Day 1 — Love the Lord Your God

WhenÊaÊrunnerÊneedsÊemoƟonalÊfuelÊtoÊfinishÊtheÊremainingÊlapsÊofÊ herÊrace,ÊitÊcouldÊbeÊbeneficialÊtoÊrecallÊhowÊmanyÊpreviousÊlapsÊ haveÊalreadyÊbeenÊsuccessfullyÊrun.Ê · HowÊwereÊJoshua’sÊwordsÊencouraging,ÊasÊheÊremindedÊthemÊofÊ theirÊpastÊinÊv.9-10? TheÊwordÊthereforeÊoŌenÊmeans,Ê‘becauseÊofÊthis’.ÊBecauseÊofÊwhatÊ theÊLordÊhadÊalreadyÊdoneÊforÊthem,ÊhowÊdidÊJoshuaÊexhortÊthemÊtoÊ respondÊinÊv.11? CircleÊhowÊyouÊmostÊoŌenÊthinkÊofÊlove:ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊemoƟonÊÊÊÊÊÊchoice CircleÊhowÊyouÊthinkÊit’sÊusedÊinÊthisÊverse: ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊemoƟonÊÊÊÊÊÊchoice InÊorderÊforÊIsraelÊtoÊconƟnueÊtheirÊsuccess,ÊtheyÊneededÊtoÊloveÊGodÊ byÊobeyingÊGod.ÊThereÊwereÊobviousÊpiƞallsÊthatÊremainedÊinÊtheirÊ path,ÊandÊJoshuaÊwarnedÊthatÊaÊlackÊofÊloveÊandÊobedienceÊwouldÊ foilÊtheirÊfutureÊenjoymentÊofÊtheÊinheritanceÊtheyÊwereÊgiven. WeÊhaveÊbeenÊgivenÊanÊinheritanceÊinÊJesusÊChristÊtoÊenjoyÊrightÊ now.ÊHowÊwouldÊyouÊsayÊthatÊaÊlackÊofÊaƩenƟonÊtoÊloveÊandÊ obedienceÊonÊourÊpartÊcouldÊpotenƟallyÊfoilÊourÊenjoymentÊofÊtheÊ spiritualÊinheritanceÊweÊhaveÊbeenÊgiven? Memory Verse — Week Nine — Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

IfÊJoshua’sÊsermonÊtoÊtheÊeldersÊwasÊboiledÊdownÊtoÊjustÊtwoÊwords,Ê theyÊwouldÊprobablyÊbeÊloveÊandÊobedience.ÊButÊthoseÊconceptsÊhaveÊ beenÊtheÊheartbeatÊofÊGod’sÊKingdomÊallÊalong: DeuteronomyÊ6:4-6Ê“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.” InÊanyÊgroupÊofÊpeople,Êit’sÊalwaysÊtheÊleadersÊwhoÊneedÊtoÊsetÊtheÊ example.ÊSoÊitÊmakesÊgoodÊsenseÊthatÊJoshuaÊgaveÊthemÊaÊsternÊ warning,ÊcompleteÊwithÊdescripƟveÊexamplesÊofÊconsequences. Ê a READÊJoshuaÊ23:12-16. · DescribeÊtheÊcause/effectÊwarningÊthatÊJoshuaÊvoicedÊinÊv.12-13: ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊPotenƟalÊbadÊchoice: ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊPotenƟalÊresult: Ê · WhatÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊmayÊhaveÊcausedÊtheÊIsraelitesÊtoÊmakeÊpoorÊ choicesÊandÊwalkÊinÊtheÊwaysÊofÊtheÊnaƟonsÊtheyÊhadÊ dispossessed? Day 2 — Obey the Lord Your God

WeÊalsoÊfaceÊtemptaƟonsÊtoÊmakeÊassociaƟonsÊorÊwalkÊinÊwaysÊthatÊ areÊcontraryÊtoÊGod’sÊkingdom.Ê READÊEphesiansÊ5:6-13.ÊInÊthisÊpassage,ÊtheÊApostleÊPaulÊwasÊgivingÊ theÊbelieversÊinÊEphesusÊaÊwarningÊthatÊsoundedÊquiteÊsimilarÊtoÊwhatÊ JoshuaÊwasÊtellingÊIsrael. · WhoÊwereÊtheÊsons of disobedience heÊwasÊreferringÊto? · WhatÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊPaulÊmeantÊwhenÊheÊsaid,Ê“do not become partners with them”? · RatherÊthanÊpartneringÊwithÊthoseÊwhoÊdid ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊshamefulÊthings,ÊwhatÊwasÊhisÊadvice? ThereÊisÊconsistencyÊinÊGod’sÊwarnings.ÊHeÊhasÊalwaysÊgoneÊtoÊgreatÊ lengthsÊtoÊprotectÊHisÊkidsÊfromÊthingsÊthatÊwouldÊcreateÊaÊsubparÊ enjoymentÊofÊHisÊblessings.ÊLet’sÊbringÊthisÊcloserÊtoÊourÊlifeÊtoday.Ê · WhatÊassociaƟonsÊ(peopleÊorÊacƟviƟes)ÊinÊyourÊlifeÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊ mayÊcarryÊtheÊpotenƟalÊtoÊdrawÊyouÊaway fromÊtheÊLordÊorÊ toward theÊdeceiƞulnessÊofÊtheÊworld?Ê · HowÊcanÊyouÊfollowÊPaul’sÊadviceÊandÊexpose itÊ(evenÊifÊonlyÊtoÊ yourself),ÊratherÊthanÊpartnerÊwithÊit? ÊÊÊÊÊ WorkÊonÊyourÊmemoryÊverseÊforÊthisÊweek.

InÊtheÊfinalÊchapterÊofÊJoshua,ÊtheÊtextÊtellsÊusÊthatÊJoshuaÊgatheredÊ all the tribes of Israel to Shechem.ÊRememberÊShechemÊwasÊtheÊplaceÊ theyÊgatheredÊthirtyÊyearsÊpriorÊtoÊrenewÊtheirÊcovenantÊ(JoshuaÊ8).ÊÊ ItÊwasÊalsoÊwhereÊGodÊmadeÊpromisesÊtoÊAbrahamÊ(GenesisÊ12:6-7),Ê andÊwhereÊJacobÊbuiltÊanÊaltarÊtoÊGodÊ(GenesisÊ33:20).Ê TheÊporƟonÊofÊJoshua’sÊspeechÊthatÊweÊareÊstudyingÊtodayÊisÊthatÊ porƟonÊwhereÊJoshuaÊactsÊasÊaÊmouthpieceÊforÊGod,ÊsomethingÊlikeÊaÊ prophet:Ê“thus says the Lord, the God of Israel.”Ê(JoshuaÊwillÊgoÊonÊtoÊ giveÊhisÊownÊadviceÊaboutÊhowÊtoÊrespondÊtoÊGod’sÊmessageÊinÊ tomorrow’sÊtext.)Ê a READÊJoshuaÊ24:1-13.ÊAsÊyouÊreadÊthroughÊtheÊtextÊinÊyourÊ Bible,ÊcircleÊeachÊoccurrenceÊofÊGodÊsayingÊHEÊDIDÊsomething.ÊForÊ example,ÊinÊÊv.3,ÊcircleÊ“I took”ÊandÊ“I gave”. · ...whatÊconclusionsÊdoÊyouÊcomeÊtoÊaboutÊhowÊvictoriesÊareÊwonÊ andÊblessingsÊareÊbestowedÊinÊGod’sÊKingdom? READÊGenesisÊ17:4-8,ÊwhereÊGodÊspokeÊHisÊpromisesÊtoÊAbraham.Ê CircleÊeachÊoccurrenceÊofÊGodÊsayingÊHEÊWILLÊDOÊsomething.ÊForÊ example,ÊinÊv.6,ÊcircleÊ“I will make you.” READÊExodusÊ6:2-9,ÊwhereÊGodÊspokeÊHisÊpromisesÊthroughÊMoses.Ê CircleÊeachÊoccurrenceÊofÊGodÊsayingÊHEÊWILLÊDOÊsomething.ÊForÊ example,ÊinÊv.6,ÊcircleÊ“I will bring you out.” · AŌerÊreadingÊallÊtheseÊpassages,ÊtoÊwhatÊconclusionsÊdoÊyouÊ comeÊaboutÊGodÊandÊHisÊpromises? Day 3 — It’s all God’s Doing

READÊRomansÊ4:18-21.Ê · WhatÊconclusionsÊhadÊAbrahamÊcomeÊtoÊaboutÊwhatÊGodÊ promisedÊinÊhisÊownÊlife? · HowÊmuchÊofÊaÊchallengeÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊthatÊmayÊhaveÊbeenÊforÊ Abraham,ÊsinceÊheÊreallyÊdidn’tÊgetÊtoÊsee,ÊwithÊhisÊownÊeyes,ÊtheÊ fulfillmentÊofÊwhatÊGodÊpromisedÊhim? READÊEphesiansÊ2:8-9.Ê · HowÊdoesÊourÊownÊspiritualÊinheritanceÊparallelÊwithÊwhatÊGodÊ didÊforÊIsraelÊinÊtheÊlandÊofÊpromise? READÊEphesiansÊ3:20.Ê · WithÊallÊtheseÊpassagesÊsƟllÊinÊmind,ÊhowÊdoesÊthisÊsentenceÊ inspireÊyouÊaboutÊGod’sÊabilityÊtoÊblessÊandÊkeepÊHisÊpromisesÊinÊ yourÊlife? BeÊsureÊtoÊworkÊonÊyourÊmemoryÊverse.

WeÊsetÊasideÊjustÊtwoÊversesÊforÊourÊconsideraƟonÊtodayÊand,ÊofÊ course,ÊverseÊ15ÊisÊfamiliarÊtoÊjustÊaboutÊeveryoneÊ—ÊChrisƟanÊorÊnot.Ê ButÊtheÊmostÊimportantÊwordsÊhereÊareÊtheÊfirstÊtwo:ÊNow therefore! JoshuaÊusedÊtheÊsameÊformatÊasÊhisÊpreviousÊtalkÊwithÊtheÊleadersÊinÊ chapterÊ23.ÊAŌerÊreviewingÊGod’sÊgraceÊandÊgoodnessÊinÊkeepingÊHisÊ promisesÊtoÊIsrael,ÊJoshuaÊcalledÊthemÊtoÊreciprocateÊwithÊholinessÊ andÊloveÊtoÊGod. a READÊJoshuaÊ24:14-15.Ê IÊwantÊtoÊmakeÊtoday’sÊstudyÊreallyÊsimple.ÊWeÊlookedÊin-depthÊatÊ whatÊGodÊpromisedÊandÊthenÊaccomplishedÊinÊtheÊlifeÊofÊIsrael.Ê Joshua’sÊsimpleÊsummaryÊwasÊthatÊtheyÊshouldÊTherefore, make a choice — — either choose to serve God in sincerity and in faithfulness, or — choose which of the gods beyond the river they want to serve. JoshuaÊspokeÊtheÊWordÊofÊtheÊLord,ÊgivingÊaÊnaƟonalÊhistoryÊofÊGod’sÊ acƟvityÊinÊtheirÊlifeÊandÊHisÊfaithfulnessÊtoÊthem.ÊMaybeÊreviewingÊ God’sÊfaithfulnessÊinÊyourÊlifeÊisn’tÊanÊacƟvityÊyouÊdoÊeveryÊday,ÊsoÊ we’reÊgoingÊtoÊbreakÊourÊownÊrulesÊjustÊaÊliƩleÊandÊmakeÊthisÊverseÊall about us! OnÊtheÊlinesÊthatÊfollow,ÊlistÊyourÊpersonalÊhistoryÊofÊGod’sÊfaithful- nessÊtoÊyouÊ—ÊasÊmanyÊaspectsÊasÊyouÊcanÊthinkÊof.ÊBeginÊwithÊhowÊ HeÊdrewÊyou,ÊrevealedÊHimselfÊtoÊyou,ÊsavedÊyou.ÊThenÊconcludeÊ yourÊlistÊwith… ...Therefore, serve the Lord in sincerity and in faithfulness ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Day 4 — Choose Whom You Will Serve

TheÊresponseÊofÊtheÊpeopleÊtoÊtheÊreminderÊofÊGod’sÊfaithfulnessÊwasÊ posiƟve,ÊbutÊthereÊwasÊanÊunsaƟsfyingÊtwistÊtoÊJoshua’sÊcomments. a READÊJoshuaÊ24:16-27. · SummarizeÊIsrael’sÊresponseÊtoÊJoshuaÊinÊv.16-18: · WhatÊwasÊJoshua’sÊunexpectedÊcommentÊaboutÊtheirÊchoice? · WhyÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊheÊansweredÊthemÊinÊthatÊway? · WhatÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊv.23ÊmayÊhaveÊtoÊdoÊwithÊhisÊcomments? WhatÊaÊgreatÊfinalÊsermon!ÊJoshuaÊhadÊnothingÊtoÊloseÊatÊthisÊpoint,Ê heÊwouldÊbeÊgone,ÊbutÊheÊhadÊoneÊlastÊchanceÊtoÊspeakÊtheÊWordÊofÊ theÊLordÊandÊgiveÊaÊwarningÊtoÊtheÊpeopleÊheÊlovedÊandÊhadÊservedÊ hisÊenƟreÊlife.Ê · WhatÊthingsÊwereÊsetÊinÊplaceÊasÊfinalÊremindersÊofÊtheÊgatheringÊ andÊcovenantÊthatÊday? Ê Day 5 — We Still Need a Savior

HaveÊyouÊeverÊgoneÊthroughÊaÊseasonÊwhenÊthingsÊwereÊchangingÊtooÊ quickly?ÊAŌerÊthisÊdayÊatÊShechem,ÊthingsÊwereÊaboutÊtoÊchangeÊforÊ Israel.ÊForÊtheÊlastÊ70+Êyears,ÊtheyÊhadÊbeenÊunderÊtheÊleadershipÊofÊ eitherÊMosesÊorÊJoshuaÊandÊhadÊworshippedÊunderÊtheÊdirecƟonÊofÊ eitherÊAaronÊorÊoneÊofÊhisÊsons.ÊNow,ÊeverythingÊwouldÊbeÊdifferent! aÊREADÊJoshuaÊ24:28-33.Ê · ListÊtheÊageÊofÊJoshuaÊwhenÊheÊdied,ÊalongÊwithÊhisÊburialÊplace.Ê WhyÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊheÊwasÊburiedÊthere? · WhereÊwereÊtheÊbonesÊofÊJosephÊplaced?ÊWhyÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊthatÊ locaƟon? · HowÊlongÊdidÊIsraelÊserveÊtheÊLordÊ(v.11)? IfÊyouÊknowÊyourÊOldÊTestamentÊaÊliƩle,ÊyouÊknowÊtheÊnextÊchapterÊofÊ Israel’sÊhistoryÊisn’tÊgreat.ÊRightÊhereÊinÊJoshua,ÊtheyÊpossessedÊtheÊ promiseÊgivenÊtoÊAbraham,ÊbutÊtheyÊwereÊsƟllÊinÊspiritualÊneedÊofÊ anotherÊJoshuaÊwhoÊwouldÊrescueÊthemÊfromÊtheÊcurseÊofÊsin.ÊTheÊ storyÊwasn’tÊover!Ê WeÊsƟllÊneedÊtheÊrealÊJoshuaÊ—ÊJesusÊtheÊMessiahÊ—ÊwhoÊleadsÊusÊ intoÊtheÊpromisesÊofÊGod.ÊGodÊhasÊpromisedÊusÊvictoryÊandÊrestÊ throughÊHisÊHolyÊSpirit,ÊandÊHeÊisÊableÊtoÊkeepÊHisÊpromises! TheÊworstÊpossibleÊresponse,ÊaŌerÊstudyingÊthisÊbookÊofÊtheÊBible,Ê wouldÊbeÊtoÊsay,Ê‘no thank youÊ—ÊI’d prefer to stay in the Wilderness!’Ê IÊtrustÊthatÊeachÊoneÊofÊusÊwillÊsetÊourÊfootÊonÊtheÊPathÊofÊPromiseÊ and,ÊbyÊfaithÊinÊJesus,ÊtakeÊpossessionÊofÊallÊtheÊblessingsÊGodÊhasÊforÊ usÊ—ÊrememberingÊthatÊblessingsÊANDÊbaƩlesÊareÊpartÊofÊtheÊ packageÊ—Êbut,ÊthroughÊourÊGod,ÊweÊshallÊdoÊvaliantly! MayÊyouÊbeÊBlessedÊAbundantly, Sue

Questions for Thought & Discussion 1. JoshuaÊwarnedÊIsraelÊthatÊanyÊgradualÊassociaƟonÊwithÊtheÊre- mainingÊnaƟonsÊwouldÊeventuallyÊleadÊtoÊworshipÊofÊtheirÊgods.Ê WhatÊtypesÊofÊthingsÊbeginÊgraduallyÊinÊourÊlivesÊandÊeventuallyÊ putÊusÊonÊaÊpathÊleadingÊawayÊfromÊGod? 2. InÊchapterÊ23,ÊJoshuaÊreferredÊtoÊCanaanÊasÊthis good landÊthreeÊ ƟmesÊ(v.13,Ê15,Ê16).ÊGod’sÊpath of promiseÊalsoÊbringsÊusÊintoÊaÊ good place.ÊWhyÊdoÊyouÊthinkÊweÊsoÊoŌenÊreferÊtoÊourÊspiritualÊ lifeÊasÊdifficultÊandÊhard,ÊratherÊthanÊgood? 3. JoshuaÊwasÊaÊmanÊwhoÊcouldÊtrulyÊspeakÊtheÊwordsÊofÊtheÊApostleÊ Paul:Ê"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2ÊTim.Ê4:7).ÊWhatÊelementsÊofÊhisÊlifeÊinspireÊyouÊ theÊmost? 4. HowÊwouldÊyouÊexplainÊtoÊaÊnon-ChrisƟanÊwhatÊitÊmeansÊforÊyouÊ toÊserve the Lord? 5. HaveÊyouÊeverÊheardÊsomeoneÊdescribedÊbyÊtheÊphrase:Ê‘…Êbut, she loves the Lord’,ÊevenÊamongÊglaringÊobedienceÊissues?ÊDoÊyouÊ thinkÊit’sÊpossibleÊtoÊloveÊtheÊLordÊandÊchoseÊnotÊtoÊobeyÊHim?

RĊċĊėĊēĈĊĘ ScriptureÊquotaƟonsÊfromÊtheÊESV®ÊBibleÊ(TheÊHolyÊBible,ÊEnglishÊ StandardÊVersion®),ÊcopyrightÊ©Ê2001ÊbyÊCrossway,ÊaÊpublishingÊÊ ministryÊofÊGoodÊNewsÊPublishers.ÊUsedÊbyÊpermission.ÊAllÊrightsÊÊÊ reserved. ScriptureÊquotaƟonsÊfromÊtheÊNIV®ÊBibleÊ(TheÊHolyÊBible,ÊNewÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ InternaƟonalÊVersion®),ÊÊcopyrightÊ©Ê1984ÊZondervanÊPublishingÊ House,ÊGrandÊRapids,ÊMI.ÊUsedÊbyÊpermission.ÊAllÊrightsÊreserved. 1—ÊSƟles,ÊWayne.ÊhƩps://waynesƟles.com/how-the-jordan-river- reflects-your-spiritual-life/Ê 2—ÊArchaeologyÊConfirms:ÊTheyÊReallyÊDidÊComeÊA-tumblin’ÊDown ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊbyÊBryantÊWood OriginallyÊpublishedÊinÊCreaƟonÊ21,ÊnoÊ2Ê ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ(MarchÊ1999):Ê36-40.Ê ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊhƩps://answersingenesis.org/archaeology/the-walls-of-jericho/Ê 3—ÊTaylor,ÊJÊHudson.ÊQuotedÊbyÊWiersbe,ÊWarrenÊW.ÊPentateuch.Ê ColoradoÊSprings,ÊCO:ÊVictor,Ê2001.ÊWORDsearchÊCROSSÊe-book. 4—ÊRedpath,ÊAlan.ÊVictorious ChrisƟan Living — Studies in the Book of Joshua — Fleming H. Revell Company, 1955,ÊWestwood,ÊNJ 5—ÊTaylor,ÊJ.ÊHudson.ÊhƩps://www.leadershipresources.org/the-15- best-james-hudson-taylor-quotes/Ê p.5ÊÊÊ—ÊMapÊofÊIsrael’sÊEntryÊintoÊtheÊPromisedÊlandÊ—ÊÊ p.73Ê—ÊMapÊofÊIsrael’sÊAllotmentsÊbyÊTribeÊ—Ê UsedÊbyÊpermissionÊ—ÊhƩps://www.thebiblejourney.org

TheÊfollowingÊWOWÊBibleÊStudiesÊwriƩenÊbyÊSueÊLeBouƟllierÊareÊ availableÊthroughÊtheÊCalvaryÊChapelÊOntarioÊbookstore,ÊandÊthroughÊ ourÊonlineÊstoreÊatÊwww.ccontario.com. ÊÊOldÊTestament: ·ÊÊGenesisÊ—DivineÊDesign,ÊFromÊEdenÊtoÊEgypt ·ÊÊExodusÊ—DivineÊDeliverance,ÊFromÊEgyptÊtoÊSinai ·ÊÊNumbersÊ—TheÊWildernessÊWay,ÊFromÊSinaiÊtoÊtheÊJordan ·ÊÊJoshuaÊ—TheÊPathÊofÊPromise,ÊFromÊtheÊJordanÊintoÊCanaan ·ÊÊJudgesÊ—ÊAÊTimeÊofÊTurning ·ÊÊRuthÊ—RescueÊandÊRestÊ ·Ê1ÊSamuelÊ—ÊTheÊComingÊKing ·ÊÊJonahÊ—TheÊCallÊofÊCompassion ÊÊNewÊTestament: ·ÊÊTheÊWayÊofÊJesusÊÊ—TheÊSermonÊonÊtheÊMountÊ(MaƩhew)Ê ·ÊÊSimplyÊJesusÊ—TheÊ“IÊAMs”ÊofÊChristÊ(John) ·ÊÊActsÊ—WalkingÊinÊtheÊSpirit,ÊTheÊFirstÊDaysÊofÊtheÊLastÊDaysÊ ·ÊÊGalaƟansÊ—FindingÊGraceÊinÊaÊDemandingÊWorld ·ÊÊPhilippiansÊ—FindingÊJoyÊinÊaÊDisjointedÊWorld ·ÊÊColossiansÊ—WalkingÊinÊStrengthÊandÊPower ·ÊÊTitusÊ—WhileÊWeÊWait ·ÊÊJamesÊ—RealÊFaithÊforÊDailyÊLife ·ÊÊ1Ê&Ê2ÊPeterÊ—Hope,ÊHolinessÊandÊHumilityÊinÊaÊHosƟleÊWorld ·ÊÊ1,2,3ÊJohnÊ—Light,ÊLoveÊandÊLogic,ÊLessonsÊfromÊtheÊApostleÊJohn Women of the Word Bible Studies

Apr 18, 2026

Pastor Paul LeBoutillier