Passage: Joshua 7

V. 1-5

-Greed and arrogance begins to drive Israel’s decisions

They enter Ai without consulting God – showing Israel losing focus on God as the one that goes before them – the one that makes the victories happen – arrogance

Achan takes devoted items – greed

Vs. 6-9

“Trouble can humble us to see our need for God that we might not have seen if all went well.”

Joshua hadn’t consulted God before, but he definitely did after the 36 men were killed

v. 10-25

One person’s sin can hold the whole group back

Very public act of picking Achan and his family out of the whole tribe of Israel

God wanted to keep His people from doing something like this again so He needed to show them the harsh penalty

v. 26

Leaving the pile of stones as a reminder

It’s about the whole team

Achan’s sin affected everyone

Joshua’s decision to go into Ai before talking to God affected everyone

Our obedience/disobedience affects the entire Body

If Joshua had just consulted God in the beginning then it might have all turned out differently, but they went ahead without God

Their downfall brought needed recognition of God and His control

Passage: Joshua 6

Vs. 1-3

-  this seemed like such a foolish way to fell the city

- Hebrews 11: 29-31

> the walls would probably never have fallen if they hadn’t had faith in what God was telling them to do

Vs. 4-5

- Sometimes God asks us to do something that doesn’t seem to make sense so that we will know He is the one doing it – causing us to focus on his wisdom and his power – causing others to see Him as the one doing the work and not us!

- the Israelites showed full obedience to Joshua’s authority

- faith & obedience go hand-in-hand

Vs. 8-11

-  Ark of the covenant at the center focus (vs. 8-14)

Vs. 12-19

-  taking everything out of the city and starting brand new

- Do you think the people in Jericho were “bad”? Or they were just in the place God promised His people? What would this relate to in our lives today?

Vs. 20-27

-  when they were faithful and obeyed they saw God deliver them

Passage: Joshua 5

(The people of Israel had just crossed over the Jordan River into the promised land, and had just finished setting up 12 stones to remind future generations of  the miraculous work the LORD had done for them that day.)

Vs. 1

-  now people were afraid of the Israelites – the roles were reversed

- when we surrender to God then we see results

Vs. 2-7

-  the act of circumcision represented the dedication of a new generation and the continuation of God’s covenant with them

- Joshua continues his pattern of obedience to the LORD

-we don’t know why they hadn’t been circumsized along the way – maybe because it was to difficult during the journey, or maybe because of Israel’s disobedience

- God loves unity – the Israelites did this as one

Vs. 8 -12

-  “roll away the reproach of Egypt”

>  another indication of a new generation

> a triumph and victory for the Israelites from God

- celebrating being out of the wilderness

> going from manna to produce from Canaan

* God provided all of it

> not only are they getting land, but also food – God will always provide, we just need to be obedient. He is always going before us and preparing the way, all we need to do is trust and follow

-though God had been providing for them all along with the manna, this provision was special and marked a new chapter for the people

Vs. 13 -15

-  Moses & Joshua were both asked to remove their shoes

> signifying beginning and end of the Exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt

- “The commander of the Lord’s army”

> Jesus? God in human form? Angel?

> there was something different about this man

- Preparation for coming into the Lord’s presence

Passage:  Joshua 4

(the nation of Israel has just finished crossing over the Jordan River into the promised land of Canaan, after the LORD miraculously parted the river in front of them.)

Vs. 1- 7

-  Nothing they did was for themselves

-  God keeps reminding the people of His power

> don’t be afraid; fear ME

- Right now in our world, we are so busy glorifying the gifts and not the gift-giver

> Joshua followed the Lord with a quickness

> He gave the Lord His due reverence and obedience

• Wasn’t hard for Joshua to follow God because he had an awesome example in Moses
• We have to remember that we are “Moses” to someone – am I someone “Joshua” can look up to in my walk with God?

- Vs 7

> What are some things God’s done in our life that we want to make a memorial to remember His greatness?

- In this day and age we don’t necessarily have the patience to wait and see the miracles of the Lord

- It can be easy to not remember God in my own life

> it’s important to share with each other to give each other hope

Vs. 8-13

-  The people were ready for war

- War today isn’t necessarily the way it was before, but we still have to be prepared for it. Our battle is not against flesh and blood. (see Ephesians 6:10-18)

Vs. 14

- revered

> Great respect; awe

> Israel knew Joshua was the real deal

- God keeps bringing these leaders in the Old Testament that people revered to point to Christ – they all eventually failed

- It’s all about God, not the leader – they are not above God

- When you are a leader, you are in a higher standard of accountability

- We are all leaders in some capacity and we are either for Christ or Satan

-  We have to pray for one another – especially our leaders!

- What can we be doing to share with people what God’s done in our lives?

- Where do we need to be patient as we wait for the people to cross the Jordan?

- Are we telling our children/others of the Lord’s faithfulness and what he has done for us in our lives by his miraculous power?

Vs. 24

- Psalm 121

- If we know where our help comes from then we can help point others to it

Passage: Joshua 3

(Joshua had just sent out 2 spies into the land of Canaan, who returned to report that the LORD had already prepared the way, melting the people’s hearts in fear of the Isrealites.)

Verses 1-8:

-  more preparation

- God is constantly giving us instruction on what we should do – can we hear him?

- Vs. 5

>  God using us to do amazing things through us so that He can get the glory

- Vs. 3

>  The people had to walk 1,000 yds behind the Ark of the Covenant

* could they even see it?

* they had to trust that it was a head of them and that the Jordan was parting

- Levites chosen to carry the Ark

> set apart people who are held to a higher standard

- The people needed to consecrate themselves – prepare – for what God was about to do

- We just have to step out; God’s putting it all together before we get there

Verses 9-13:

- God’s already set a place aside for the Isrealites, they just have to obey

- What are the obstacles in my life that are keeping me from seeing God?

- God is everything we are and has been there long before us

> vs. 11, 13: “Lord of all the earth”

Verses 14-17:

- everything about God doesn’t make sense

- Vs. 17

> as we grow, we have to stand firm on the Truth of God

- Hebrews 11:16

> common sense and faith/logic and faith DON’T GO TOGETHER

Review:

- Stay on the center road – don’t sway to the right or to the left

- Don’t be terrified or discouraged

- Vs. 5

> Be consecrated (pure)

* live what you teach and preach

* be consistent in God’s Truth

- God uses common people to accomplish His will