Israel had spent
the last 40 years on a road to nowhere. A lot can change in 40 years. All of
the people who were slaves in Egypt had died, except for two, Joshua and Caleb.
Moses had died too. Joshua had been his right-hand man, and he was Israel’s new
leader. The wilderness of disobedience and defeat was behind them now, and a
new generation camped at Canaan’s edge.
A lot had changed
during the wilderness years, but God had not. The promise He’d made to Abraham
over 600 years before was about to turn into reality. The LORD spoke to Joshua
saying, “Be strong and courageous, for I am with you. Be careful to obey my law.” (p. 73) Joshua
listened well. He had spied out the land as a young man and trusted God to give
it to them as He’d promised. Now he sent
two spies into Jericho to appraise the land.
They were hidden in the house of Rahab, a prostitute who protected them
from the king of Jericho. She boldly
confessed her faith in the LORD as the one true God who had given the land to
Israel. The spies responded to her faith
by agreeing to save her whole family when they attacked Jericho.
This new generation
of Israelites had heard the stories about crossing the Red Sea on dry land;
now, their first steps into the Promised Land were taken across another patch
of dry land when God parted the Jordan River – another highway leading into
God’s promise.
When they reached
Jericho, the military strategy was unorthodox.
The priests marched the Ark of the Covenant around Jericho’s walls each
day for six days. On the seventh day, they
marched around the city seven times. Their parade concluded with the sound of
trumpets and shouts as they completed a seventh circle around the city. Amazingly, the walls of Jericho
collapsed! Jericho was destroyed and
Rahab and her family were saved.
The land of Canaan
was a place of conquest and victory for Israel. When Israel obeyed, God
faithfully delivered her enemies into her hands. When they failed to trust Him, they missed
out on the fulfillment of those promises. Even the temporary defeat at Ai
caused by disobedience was later turned to victory when the people followed
God’s command. In the annihilation of
entire cities we see God’s holy intolerance of sin. In the account of Gibeon we
see God’s mercy extended to a people who were willing to follow the true God.
After taking the entire region by force, Joshua divided up the land by tribe as
Israel’s inheritance.
The chapter closes
with Joshua’s final words as he recounts the stories of God’s faithfulness and
deliverance. God will keep His promises. He will also let us choose whether or
not we will participate in the blessings of His promises. These stories of
God’s people are our stories too, and like Joshua we must, “Choose this day
whom you will serve.” Joshua stated he and his “household [would] serve the
LORD.” (p. 83) Which will you choose?
Questions
1. In the original languages both “Joshua” and “Jesus” mean
“Jehovah saves.” How is Joshua’s relationship to Israel similar to Jesus’
relationship to the Church?
2. What basis did Joshua have for being “strong and courageous” (p. 73)? Which assurances that God gives Joshua most strengthen and encourage you?
3. What concerns might Joshua have had as he accepted the reigns of leadership from Moses? What can we learn from the people’s response to Joshua that can apply to changes of leadership at our church?
4. Rahab told the two spies: “I know that the Lord has given you this land. . .” (p.74). Upon what was her declaration of faith based? How could she be a prostitute, so easily tell lies, and not be a part of God’s chosen people, yet be attributed with great faith?
5. Rahab hid the spies and then lied to the authorities when they came looking for them. (p. 74) When, if ever, is it okay to lie? How do you know?
6. Review the main points of the covenant that God made with Abraham. (See the summary for Chapter 2, also p. 11) What examples can you find in this chapter that show God’s faithfulness to its fulfillment?
7. How does God’s command to annihilate entire cities fit into the Upper Story of the Bible? In what way do these battle stories fit into God’s Upper Story? (Hint: review p. 69, especially the last paragraph.)
8. Some people doubt the Bible because of miracles like Joshua’s “long day.” (p. 79) But some people, like Rahab, come to believe in God because of His miraculous works. Discuss how you might respond to the skeptic who discounts the miraculous as myth.
9. What character traits of Joshua most impress you? Which of those would you like to be known for?
10. Joshua is known for his statement “As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (p.83) How can you lead your household to serve the Lord?
