People in the Bible -- Joshua

Joshua gets his turn

As we read in past weeks, Moses gave up a comfy life in Egypt to side with his people, the children of Israel and help lead them out of slavery in Egypt. Through a series of plagues, Moses was God's representative to Pharaoh and finally got the Egyptian King to let his people go. Once they made it out of Egypt, God then gave instructions for the Israelites. This was called the Law. In addition to the Ten Commandments, God gave the Israelites rules for how they should live their lives so they could be righteous before God and an example for all of the people of the world. The Israelites soon broke the laws and even rebelled against Moses at times. Because of this, instead of making it to the Promised Land right away, they ended up wandering in the wilderness for 40 years! They were lost due to their disobedience. But through all of this, Joshua was faithful. He was training under Moses and for the 40 years, followed his every step to learn from him.

1. As Christians, where should we look to get our direction in life? ______________________

2. Do you ever feel like you are lost in the wilderness when you are not following God's instructions, praying to God or going to church? Yes Sometimes No

Joshua Shows His Faith

As Moses led the people closer to the Promised Land. He sent out 12 spies to check out the land for enemies. The Children of Israel had spent so much time wandering lost, sinning and complaining that in those 40 years, Satan had assembled his own people there to get to the land before them. When the spies returned this was their report:

Numbers 13:  31But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.  32And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.  33And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

Ten of the spies were scared out of their minds. The land was filled with giants! Yes literal, actual giants (who were the children of fallen angels and human women). Those ten spies felt like Israel had no chance against enemies like that. But two spies were not shook: Caleb and Joshua. Joshua reminded the people that God had promised the land to them. And if God made a promise it was 100% guaranteed. So even though the problem looked big, God's promise was much bigger. Because of that faith he demonstrated, God chose Joshua and Caleb to be the only 2 people out of one million who escaped Egypt and made it to the Promised Land. All of the

other Israelites who made it were born during the 40 years in the wilderness.

3. What gave Joshua such great faith? ______________________________________________

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4. When you are in a tough situation how often do you remember God's promises to you?

Often Sometimes Rarely Never

5. Do you have a Bible verse memorized to say when you are in a serious jam? Yes No

Joshua Takes Over

Although Moses was a great leader, he was not perfect. Near the end of his life, he disobeyed God and because of this he was not able to enter the Promised Land. He got the people close, but did not enter it himself. After Moses died, God told Joshua that it was time for him to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. No more wandering. It was time for war.

Joshua 1:  1Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,  2Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.  3Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.  4From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. 5There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.  6Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.  7Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.  8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

6. Name 3 promises that God made to Joshua _______________________________________

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7. How often did God tell Joshua to "meditate" (meaning to study) His Word? ______________

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8. How often do you normally study your Bible each week?

10-14 times 5-7 times 3-5 times 1-2 times Zero

The Battle of Jericho - The First Battle

Joshua was following God's Marching orders and the first city for battle was Jericho. In order to get their the Israelites had to cross over the very choppy and flood-level Jordan River. As they approached the rough waves, The Lord told the people to put their feet in and then He would provide a way. They listened and God opened up the water to provide a walkway for them to cross the river. The entire nation walked through. When some of their enemies heard about this great miracle, they were frightened. The God of Israel had once again shown He was the true God. Joshua also sent two spies to Jericho where they were protected by the harlot named Rahab (who we studied in past weeks). The spies came back with a good report: the people in Jericho feared the Israelites. Everything was set for battle. So right beforehand, Joshua and the Israelites reaffirmed their commitment to God. They circumcised all of the young men (an Old Testament sign of being in agreement with The Lord) and they celebrated the Passover. They wanted to show God that they meant business and were serious about following Him.

9. When you have a serious problem or a tough exam or a difficult task to do, how often do you go God and show Him you are serious about your faith?

Often Sometimes Rarely Never

Joshua Meets an Angel

Joshua 5: 13And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? 14And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant?  15And the captain of the LORD's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

Jericho was a well-protected city. In ancient times, a high, strong city wall was one of the best defense against an invading army. It kept enemies from charging in, while the best archers and fighters with spears or even rocks could stay on top of the wall and throw things down at the enemy armies. Knowing the Israelites were coming, the people of Jericho were locked up behind their walls to keep safe. But God gave Joshua a battle plan. He instructed Joshua to take his best soldiers and line them up for a march. He then told him to take the priests of Israel (who were not fighters) and put them in front, carrying the Ark of God and trumpets and they were to march in a circle around the city of Jericho. And they were to do this once a day for six days. And then on the seventh day, they were told to circle the city seven times and then blow their horns. And when the rest of the people of Israel heard the horns, they were all to shout and then the walls of

Jericho would come down.

10. Do these instructions seem unique for an army going to war? Yes No

11. Why do you think God instructed Joshua this way? _______________________________

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Joshua then led the priests and the soldiers just as The Lord had instructed. On the seventh day, he told all of the Israelites to remain silent until they heard the horns blowing and once they did to shout as loud as they could. So they circled Jericho seven times, the priests blew their horns, the people shouted and the walls of Jericho came down. The Lord had given them the city!

Now defenseless, it was time to finish the battle. Joshua led his army throughout the stunned city and they killed all of the people their except for Rahab and her family. Just as they had promised, the two spies who she protected came and got her out. After this great victory, Joshua's fame as a great military leader spread all over the land. People knew that God was with him.

12. Why was Joshua so victorious? ________________________________________________

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13. When we have battles how often should look to God to fight for us?

Never Rarely Sometimes Often All the time

14. What does it take to let God fight our battles? ___________________________________

Hebrews 11:30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.