The time has finally come, the Israelites get to walk into the promised land. They enter it in a similar way to how they fled the Egyptians, crossing a dry river floor. While Joshua has seen some amazing things in his life, I wonder what his first reaction to the commander of the Lord’s army telling him that they would defeat Jericho, a large, fortified city by marching around it for a week with the ark. They obeyed the instructions and defeated Jericho. I think it was a very blatant example for the rest of the land to see that God was with the Israelites and also showing the Israelites that God was with them and their success was not of their own doing.
It takes courage to step out in faith, trusting the Lord will do as He says. Rahab, a prostitute, a least of these, was given a second chance at life, a chance to serve God with the remainder of it because of her faith in a God she had never known before they arrived. Starting Honeycomb Wisdom was a HUGE step of faith, one that took and continues to take courage to do. I have to trust that what I am creating will be a successful tool for others to get to know the Lord and His Word better. What have you stepped out in courageous faith lately?
“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.” Joshua 1: 5-7 ESV
Passage:
Joshua 1-12
Discovered:
- After the death of Moses, God told Joshua to prepare to cross the Jordan. Time to go into the land He was giving them.
- Tells Joshua, I will not leave or forsake, be strong and courageous and obey my law.
- Joshua sent spies into Jericho, 2 men spent the night at Rahab’s house (a prostitute). She hid them and lied about where they went when the king of Jericho came looking for them. She asked them to save her and her family in exchange (she had fear of the Lord). As long as her family stayed in the house and she left a scarlet cord in the window, they would be spared. The men escaped thanks to Rahab.
- God told Joshua to take the ark and have it stop in the middle of the Jordan, so Israel could cross on dry land. Waters stood still in the middle of flood season for Israel.
- They took 12 stones out of Jordan as a memorial for crossing the Jordan.
- No one had been circumcised in the wilderness, so Joshua took flint knives and circumcised every male.
- 4 days later, Israel celebrated the first Passover in the land of Canaan.
- The day after they had eaten the fruit of the land, God stopped the manna.
- Lord sent the commander of the Lord’s army to give instructions to defeat Jericho.
- The entire army, 7 priests with trumpets and the ark will quietly march around the city once a day for 6 days, while the priests blow the trumpets. On day 7, march around the city 7 times and after the priests blow one long blast the walls of Jericho will fall down after you shout. And they did. They destroyed the city, its people and livestock. Only taking: gold, silver, bronze and iron.
- They scouted out Ai, it was small and only needed 3,000 men to defeat but because of Achan’s theft, they were defeated and 36 men died. Achan, and his family were stoned and everything was burned. Israel then went back and ambushed Ai, defeating them, destroying the city.
- At Mount Ebal, Joshua wrote the Law on stones for all, built an altar and renewed the covenant. He read aloud the entire Law for all to hear.
- Gibeonites deceived the Israelites, surrendering, they became servants: wood cutters and water bearers.
- 5 kings of Amorites attacked the Gibeonites, Israel defended them and most Amorites were killed by hail. Sun and moon stood still for a day. 5 kings were found hiding in a cave, they were brought to Joshua and killed. Makkedah was destroyed.
- Joshua defeats kings in souther Canaan: Libnah, Lachish, Bezer, Eglon, Hebron and Debir.
- Joshua defeats kings in northern Canaan: Hazor, Madon, Shimron, Achshaph, and all those in northern hill country.
- Joshua defeated 31 kings, Moses defeated 2 kings.
Help me to remember:
to be strong and courageous, to not fear or be dismayed for You are with me.
Lord, I ask that . . .
I am brave for You, that I am not afraid of boldly living for You.
Heavenly Father, I am thankful for . . .
examples of what happens when people trust in You, for Rahab who got a second chance with the Israelites.
