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? ______________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
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 _______________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
7. How often did God tell Joshua to "meditate" (meaning to study) His Word? ______________
____________________________________________________________________________
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? _______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
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? ________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
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.