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Home , Book of Joshua

Introduction

“The book of records the invasion of by and its partition among the tribes. It tells in detail how they crossed the Jordan and secured a bridgehead, describes more briefly two campaigns which broke the power of the Canaanites and summarizes Israel’s further military progress. The account of the partition includes a full description of Judahite territory, and notes on the Kenite settlement of and the difficulties experienced in N Manasseh. After referring to the levitical settlements and the problem of the Transjordanian tribes, the book closes with an account of Joshua’s spiritual testament, the climax being the national at .”1

The name Joshua means “Jehovah is his help” or “Jehovah the Savior”. Needless to say that Joshua lived up to his name. He is the son of Nun from the tribe of and ’ successor. What do we know about him? • He is a soldier. See Exodus 17:8-16 • He is a servant to Moses and even accompanied him on Mt Sinai to receive the tablets. See Exodus 32:17 • He is a spy. See Numbers 13:16-17 • He is a leader. Deuteronomy 31:23

Obedience, leadership and faith are trademarks that you will be able to see throughout the book of Joshua. Joshua 1 tells you of his commissioning by to lead the into the . The commission comes with a promise “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 1:6-7 (emphasis mine).

Joshua was strong and courageous and conquered the promised land.

Joshua did follow the law and did not turn to the right or to the left.

Joshua was successful wherever he went.

The truth is that we too can experience the success that Joshua did. We too can live on this promise, “One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you.” Joshua 23:10

Through this study, I invite you to conquer your promised land and live a life worthy of the call to be strong and courageous.

Are you ready? Let’s go….

1 The New Dictionary

Personal Thoughts Week 1 The Commission of Joshua and Reconnoitering of the Land (Joshua 1-3)

Memory Verse: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-4

The book of Joshua is a history (His-story) book. It tells of God’s people first taking possession of the occupied land we know today as Israel. Joshua – which means Jesus in English - had been Aide-de-Camp to Moses and is now the leader prepared by God for the epic conquest of the Promised Land (just as Jesus takes us to our Promised Land!). As we embark on our own epic study of Joshua, we – each of us who walks with God – can know we are as valuable to Him as 10,000! A key instruction given to Joshua was not to be afraid but to meditate continually on God’s Word, remembering He is near and that He keeps Him promises – powerful words to live by!

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______BIBLE PASSAGES: READ JOSHUA 1:1-11; JOSHUA 2; JOSHUA 3:1-3 AND JOSHUA 3:17.

Basic (Day 1): What do these passages reveal about God? How does this apply to me?

Dig Deeper (Day 2): Who is Joshua? Read Numbers 13; 14; 27:18-23; Deuteronomy 34:9 and Joshua 1:1-2. What about Joshua’s life or character is worth copying or emulating? Thinking on the account of in Joshua 2, what does this story us about God’s character? Why?

Dig Even Deeper: (Day 3): Read Joshua 1:6-9 and fill In the chart below. An example has been done for you.

Instructions Promises (v.6) Be strong and courageous (v.6) For you shall cause this people to inherit the land I swore to their fathers to give them.

Of God’s instructions listed above, which challenges or inspires me most? Why? Of the promises listed above, which one do I need to cling to most? Why?

Dig Even Deeper (Days 4 and 5): For the rest of this week, work on memory passages. They will help you grow in trust and obedience! These are promised to claim – match God’s Word to your moments of need!

Week 2 Memorial Stones by the Jordan; and at (Joshua 4-5)

Memory Verse: “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.” Romans 8:5-7

The book of Joshua is the story of God’s people taking possession of modern-day Israel. But the story begins long before Joshua’s time as God had made a “covenant” promise to to give the people the land of Canaan. A covenant is a legally binding promise – in this case to redeem. After 40 years of wandering in the desert – a punishment for an entire generation who complained that life had been better in as slaves in – the Israelites miraculously crossed the as God halted the flow of water. Thus they came the outskirts of the land that was promised, i.e. the “Promised Land” (a foreshadowing of the kingdom of God) to prepare for battle. The first preparations were not military, however, but spiritual as God’s people demonstrate their grateful dependence on Him in three ways: 1) building a memorial to commemorate crossing the Jordan 2) circumcising a new generation and 3) celebrating the feast of Passover symbolizing the blood which covers sin. One of many things we can learn from this week’s lesson is obedience and devotion to God before motion!

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______BIBLE PASSAGES: READ JOSHUA 4:19-24 AND JOSHUA 5

Basic (Day 1): What do these passages reveal about God? How does this apply to me?

Dig Deeper (Day 2): Memorials: Read Joshua 4:20-24. Why did Joshua set up the memorial stones?

For reflection/journaling: Are there spiritual markers in my own life I would like to remember (and pass along)? How might I memorialize these events (plant a tree, donate to a mission, celebrate a personal holiday, etc.)?

Dig Even Deeper (Day 3): Circumcision: Read Joshua 5:4-9. The practice of circumcision (Gen. 17:9-14) had been largely abandoned during the 40 years wandering in the desert, as had Passover celebration for which circumcision was required (Ex. 12:48). Read Genesis 17:9-14. According to these verses, what was the purpose of circumcision in the ?

Now read Romans 2:29 and Colossians 2:11. While circumcision in the Old Testament represented purification and identification, what do you think is meant by circumcision of the heart in the ? Do I have a circumcised heart? Respond in prayer.

Dig Even Deeper (Day 4): Passover: Read Joshua 5:10-12. After circumcision had been completed, it was time to once again celebrate the Passover feast (Ex. 12:1-28) which had ceased during the 40 years wandering. The Passover remembers the tenth and worst plague in Egypt where the firstborn son in every family was to die. God told the Israelites to wipe the blood of a spotless lamb over the doorpost of their houses and then the death angel would “pass-over” them. Reread Joshua 5:12. What happened the day after the Passover feast?

Read John 1:29 and 1 Corinthians 5:7. How is Christ described in these passages? Read John 19:14 which describes the day of Jesus’ crucifixion. When was Jesus crucified?

Dig Even Deeper (Day 5): The Commander of the LORD’s Army: Read Joshua 5:13-15. What does this visit suggest? How can this encourage you in your battles – large or small? Respond in prayer and, like Joshua, meditate on those memory verses.

Week 3 and (Joshua 6-8)

Memory Verse: “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Romans 8:8-10

Now that military and spiritual preparations have been made in scouting out the Promised Land and renewing circumcision and the Passover, it’s show time! God makes it quite clear, however, that this will be a divine overthrow and He will fight on Israel’s behalf. Remember Joshua was first visited by the commander of God’s invisible army and after that given decidedly non-military “marching orders” (pun intended) to walk around the city of Jericho seven times, simply blow a trumpet on the final lap, and watch the walls crumble. Although God’s instructions are simple, He expects exact obedience (a lesson for all of us!) and one man’s disobedience results in the death of him and his entire family. The book of Joshua recounts a holy war initiated by God to keep His promise to His people and also to rid Canaan of idolatry. In the battles of Jericho and Ai we see a pattern of set for the remainder of the city-states Joshua conquers, namely the blessings of obedience.

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______BIBLE PASSAGES: READ JOSHUA 6:1-5, 22-27; JOSHUA 7:1-13, 16-26; JOSHUA 8

Basic (Day 1): What do these passages reveal about God? How does this apply to me?

Dig Deeper (Day 2): Jericho: Read Joshua 6:6-21 and make a list of all the verbs describing the actions of Joshua and the Israelite army. What do you learn about the part God plays in defeating Jericho and the role assigned to Joshua’s army? What part(s) of this plan might have required trust and courage and why? How does this speak to your circumstances?

Dig Even Deeper (Day 3): Devoted Things: Read Joshua 6:18-21. One principle in Scripture is that first things, or first- fruits, belong to God. This is the motivation behind tithing one’s income. In the conquest of Jericho (the first of many battles) God instructed the Israelites not to take any plunder (“keep away from devoted things” Joshua 6:18). In subsequent battles the Israelites would be welcome to the spoils.

Now read Joshua 7:11-15. What do you learn about repentance, or turning away from disobedience, in this verse? How does this week’s memory verse, Romans 8:13, speak to ’s sin? How does it speak to my life?

Dig Even Deeper (Day 4): The Battle at Ai: Read Joshua 8. Using a blank piece of paper, draw a picture of the battle plan as you imagine it.

Read Joshua 8:1-2 again. How was covenant loyalty on the part of the Israelites linked to the battle? Another way of phrasing “covenant loyalty” is radical obedience to God’s Word and a desire to please Him above all else. On a scale from 1-5 (5 best), how obedient am I to the parts of God’s Word that I know? In what area(s) can I grow?

Dig Even Deeper (Day 5): The Book of the Law: Read Joshua 8:34-35. What did Joshua read and to whom? The Book of the Law, at that point in Israel’s history, would likely have referred to the first five books of the Old Testament – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. What would have been the value of this reading? Why? Reread Joshua 1:8-9 and respond in prayer.

Week 4 More Conquests (Joshua 9 and 10)

Memory verse: “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8:11-13

The battles of Ai and Jericho were major victories for the Israelites. Not only did God shine brightly for the Israelites, but He revealed Himself mightily to the Canaanites. The swiftness of the two victories greatly influenced the leaders on how to face Joshua and his men. We will look at two different reactions. Joshua 9:1-2 reads like a movie trailer for the rest of the story; “As soon as all the kings who were beyond the Jordan in the hill country and in the lowland all along the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon, the Hittites, the , the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the , and the , heard of this, they gathered together as one to fight against Joshua and Israel. “ Lets get started.

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______BIBLE PASSAGES: JOSHUA 9:3-15; JOSHUA 10:1-27

Basic (Day 1): What do these passages reveal about God? How does this apply to me? Dig Deeper (Day 2 and 3) • God made a covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15:1-21). The term “promised land” comes from this covenant. Read Genesis 15:13-16 “Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 14 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 15 As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. 16 And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” Joshua is fulfilling that covenant.

Read Deut. 32:8-9 and Psalm 2:1-6. Why do you think Joshua was so successful? How can you apply this concept to your life? How can you be successful?

• The Gibeonites trickery (Joshua 9:3-15) How did they convince Joshua that they should make a treaty? What do you believe was the best argument? What does this suggest about their knowledge of God?

“The first reference in the book to a ‘covenant’ (bĕrît) other than the one Israel had made with its God is found here. The term occurs twenty-two times in Joshua, most often in the phrase ‘the ’ (see, e.g., 3:6, 8; 4:9; 6:6). It occurs four times referring to the treaty with the Gibeonites (9:6, 7, 15, 16). A covenant was a binding agreement between two parties, and in this case the word ‘treaty’ describes the agreement well.” New American Commentary on Joshua

• Battle Of Joshua 10:1-27 This battle is following the coalition of the other Canaanite kings. They were terrified of Joshua (see Joshua 2:10-11; 5:1; 9:1-2; 24). Count the number of kings mentioned in this passage? What does this suggest about the Canaanites? What does this say about the Israelites? called for help and Joshua marches in. Read the account of the battle. Write down man’s activity and God’s supernatural help and intervention.

Man God

Did you know: this is the first time that is mentioned by name in the Old Testament.

Dig Even Deeper (Day 4 and 5) About Obedience 10 “When you draw near to a city to fight against it, offer terms of peace to it. 11 And if it responds to you peaceably and it opens to you, then all the people who are found in it shall do forced labor for you and shall serve you. 12 But if it makes no peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it. 13 And when the Lord your God gives it into your hand, you shall put all its males to the sword, 14 but the women and the little ones, the livestock, and everything else in the city, all its spoil, you shall take as plunder for yourselves. And you shall enjoy the spoil of your enemies, which the Lord your God has given you. 15 Thus you shall do to all the cities that are very far from you, which are not cities of the nations here. 16 But in the cities of these peoples that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes, 17 but you shall devote them to complete destruction,1 the Hittites and the Amorites, the Canaanites and the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, as the Lord your God has commanded, 18 that they may not teach you to do according to all their abominable practices that they have done for their , and so you sin against the Lord your God. “ Deut 20:10-18 “However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you.… The Lord will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will come at them from one direction but flee from them in seven, and you will become a thing of horror to all the kingdoms on earth” Deut 28:15, 25

Those verses in Deuteronomy gave specific instruction regarding the land that they were conquering. God promised defeat if they would not obey.

Read Joshua 9:14. What does it say?

The mistake on Israel’s and Joshua’s part was not that they were deceived per se, but that they did not ask for the Lord’s counsel. This is certainly a warning to all who read this passage: God is there to be consulted, and we ignore him at our peril (cf. 1 Chr 28:9). Read Joshua 9:15. Joshua is a conqueror, a soldier, under orders from God. He has proven himself to be fearless in battle. What does this peace treaty reveal about his personality?

Peace. Total well-being, prosperity, and security associated with God’s presence among his people. Linked in the OT with the covenant, the presence of peace, as God’s gift, was conditional upon Israel’s obedience. In prophetic material, true peace is part of the end-time hope of God’s salvation. In the NT, this longed-for peace is understood as having come in Christ and able to be experienced by faith. BEB

This part of the story is tricky because the Israelites did not consult God and yet God will protect the Gibeonites in the future because of that oath (see 2 21). God’s plans are sometimes mysterious. His ways are greater and His thoughts are higher. Can you think of a few examples in your own life that did not make sense and/or did not line up with your knowledge of God? Take the time to jot them down and thanking God for them. We need to be reminded that He is sovereign and all-knowing. One day it will all make sense. Today just leave it in His hands.

• Miracles God always appear at the right time. Read the following verses and write down the way God intervened.

Exodus 14:24

Judges 4:15

1 Samuel 7:10

Joshua 10 12-13

Joshua bid the and to stand still. The Hebrew word is damam, meaning “standing still”, “being motionless”. What a sight this must have been! Can you recall a time in your life when things lined up perfectly? Write a prayer of thanksgiving to God. Write those moments on the tablets of your heart. Your faith will only get stronger.

Bonus: Read Joshua 10:29-43. Skim through the Southern Campaigns and continue to be amazed by God’s miraculous provision.

Week 5 Moving Forth (Joshua 11-13)

Memory Verse: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears with our spirit that we are children of God.” Romans 8:14-16

Joshua continues to move further into the land. He is now deep into the region of the middle east. His reputation as a fierce conqueror is well established and tribes for miles fear him. We are reminded here that the Israelites success is based on covenants that God made with Abraham and Moses. Joshua still walks in Moses’ shadow. Let’s keep digging.

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______Basic (Day 1): What do these passages reveal about God? How does this apply to me?

Dig Deeper (Day 2 and 3) Compare Joshua 11:20 and Exodus 9:12; 10:1; 11:10). What is the common thread? Why do you think that is?

Joshua defeats the Anakites. Read Numbers 13:32-33. Do you think that this was an important battle to win for Joshua? Why or why not?

The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years simply because they thought they could not beat them. God once again proved them wrong.

Compare Joshua 12:4-5 with Deuteronomy 3:10-11. The territory of Og is of little interest to us but it is important to note the similarities between the two. Had Moses even stepped foot into the promised land? How did he know so clearly the geography of the land?

Those passages mean very little to us today and outside of a historical one, have little value. Be careful however not to dismiss them completely. Those verses are the testimony of God’s provision and faithfulness. What God promises, God will accomplish.

Dig Even Deeper (Day 4 and 5) Use the map below to highlight the conquest that Joshua has accomplished so far.

David is referring to the distribution of the land in Psalm 16:6 The Psalm is a beautiful praise about God’s provision. Read it in its entirety and rewrite it as your own prayer.

Week 6 This land is your land, this land is my land….(Joshua 14-15)

Memory verse: “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.” Romans 8:17-19

Joshua had reached an old age…… For years now Joshua has fought the good fight and faced . He brought victories to the Israelites that are remembered yearly during the Jewish feast. Joshua’s leadership has been impeccable and as you continue to read through Joshua, you will see that he finishes strong. Joshua has proven himself to be obedient and God entrusts him with the division of the land.

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______PASSAGES: JOSHUA 13:1-7; 14:6-15

Basic (Day 1): What do these passages reveal about God? How does this apply to me?

Dig Deeper (Day 2 and 3) Joshua reached an old age (Joshua 13:1). What does God ask Joshua to do in his old age? Read Deuteronomy 31:14 and 32:48-52. What did He ask of Moses? What major difference is there? Where did Moses go wrong?

I cannot emphasize enough the concept of obedience. It is the underlying theme of Joshua. The whole concept of being strong and courageous is based on obeying God’s commandments and laws.

Read the following hymn and resolve to trust and obey. Search your heart and write down areas where you might have been disobedient. You can be strong and courageous but you first need to be obedient.

Trust and Obey Not a burden we bear, Not a sorrow we share, 1 But our toil He doth richly repay; When we walk with the Lord Not a grief or a loss, In the light of His Word, Not a frown or a cross, What a glory He sheds on our way; But is blest if we trust and obey. While we do His good will, 4 He abides with us still, But we never can prove And with all who will trust and obey. The delights of His love, Trust and obey, Until all on the altar we lay; For there’s no other way For the favor He shows, To be happy in Jesus, And the joy He bestows, But to trust and obey. Are for them who will trust and obey. 2 5 Not a shadow can rise, Then in fellowship sweet Not a cloud in the skies, We will sit at His feet, But His smile quickly drives it away; Or we’ll walk by His side in the way; Not a doubt or a fear, What He says we will do; Not a sigh or a tear, Where He sends, we will go, Can abide while we trust and obey. Never fear, only trust and obey. 3 Dig even Deeper (Day 4 and 5) Joshua’s leadership has been fantastic. God had asked Moses to appoint Joshua as his successor. Israel needs a strong leader yet here no leader emerge. Why do you think God allowed that to happen?

Read Judges 2:18-19. What pattern will Israel soon follow?

If you skim through 1 and 2 Kings you will soon notice that Israel will have good kings and also bad kings. Good means following God’s will, bad means following other gods.

According to Isaiah 9:6 who is our king and leader?

Read John 15:1 and Galatians 5:22. How can we avoid the pendulum effect of oscillating between good and bad?

According to Numbers 13:6 and 34:19, whose tribe does belong to? Caleb makes a claim in Joshua 14:6. Read Numbers 14:24 and write down the background information for that claim.

Read :2. Which tribe is to go first for the rest of the conquest?

Read :3-17. What tribe does David belong to? Read Matthew 1. What tribe does Jesus belong to?

There are no perfect family or tribe. Even Judah had its fault. Yet from the start it was successful. Why do you think that is?

Read Exodus 20:5-6. How can you assure that your family, with all its imperfection will receive God’s blessings?

Caleb and Joshua were men of faith and integrity. Their choices influenced the walk of the people around them and assured blessings to many generations. Make the commitment today to be the light and blessing to your family.

“What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.” ― Mother Teresa

BONUS Read Joshua 16-18. Use a map and locate the places for all the allotments. Each tribe receive a specific allotment. Those were ordained by God.

Week 7 The Rest of The Allotments of Joshua (Joshua 19)

Memory Verse: “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” Romans 8:20-22

Promises! Promises!

God always keeps His promises. But the shape they take often depends on our faithfulness and obedience, or lack thereof. There are great differences in the size, location, and process of occupation among the remaining 7 tribes of Israel. Just as the Lord Jesus loved all the disciples and had a different relationship with each one of them, God expresses His love to each tribe differently.

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______Basic (Day 1): What do these passages reveal about God? How does this apply to me?

Dig Deeper (Day 2 and 3) 1. Read Joshua 19. How did the allocation of their inheritance by lots impact the faith and obedience of the Israelites in receiving their inheritance? Please explain and elaborate from the Scripture.

2. Read Genesis 49 and answer the following questions: a. Which of God's promises of inheritance were fulfilled? See also Genesis 15:18 and Nehemiah 9:8. b. How did the tribes' faith and obedience impact their inheritance?

Dig Even Deeper (Day 4 and 5) 1. Read Joshua 19:1-9. Why did Simeon receive separate cities instead of an entire territory? See Genesis 34, 38, and 49. How would God's protection of Judah in 2 Chronicles 15 be Simeon’s undeserved grace?

2. Read Joshua 19:40-48. Where was 's original inheritance? Why did the fight against Leshem, also called Laish? See Judges 1:34-35 and Judges 17-18.

3. How do you see in your life that God pursues and cares for His people fully but differently?

Week 8 The and Levitical Cities (Joshua 20-21)

Memory verse: “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” Romans 8:23-25

An Ever Present Help

How far away is your closest friend? Somebody you really trust who would help you in a time of need? The cities of refuge and Levitical cities were scattered among the people for easy access by all. They were never far away from the help of their fellow Israelites' and hope in the Lord. God is still near to all His people. Like the Levites who taught the Law, He still teaches us through His Word and Spirit. Like the cities of refuge, He is always close to those who cry for help.

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______Basic (Day 1): What do these passages reveal about God? How does this apply to me?

Dig Deeper (Day 2 and 3) 1. What was the purpose of a city of refuge?

2. What was the significance of where they were placed?

3. How do these help us to understand God as our refuge?

Dig Even Deeper (Day 4 and 5) 1. Levi received scattered cities just like Simeon. What did Simeon and Levi have in common? See Genesis 34, 38, and 49.

2. How did God use discipline on the to bless all of Israel?

3. In Joshua 21:45-46, the Lord talked about "rest". How does Israel's history reveal this was only a temporary rest from the time of the judges forward? How does the book of Hebrews reveal God's complete and eternal rest -especially Hebrews 4:1-13?

Week 9 The Eastern Tribes (Joshua 22)

Memory Verse: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:26-28

My Brother's Keeper

Things are not always as they appear. Each of us have been misunderstood in our loyalty to God and have misunderstood others. But integrity is important to all believers. We want to be faithful and we want others to see us as faithful. When there is even the appearance of unfaithfulness, we should go to our brother or sister in question and ask. But that's not always what happens.

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______Basic (Day 1): What do these passages reveal about God? How does this apply to me?

Dig Deeper (Day 2 and 3) 1. Why did Joshua praise the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the 1/2 ?

2. What charge did he give them?

3. Why were their brothers ready to war against them? How was this conflict resolved?

Dig Even Deeper (Day 4 and 5) 1. Read Deuteronomy 13:12-16 and answer the following questions:

a. How does this passage describe the Western Tribes quick and fierce response to the Eastern tribes altar? b. Does absence always make the heart grow fonder? Does out of sight really mean out of mind? Please elaborate.

c. Where was the only place that burnt offerings and sacrifice for sin to be made and how is that significant for the Eastern tribes?

Week 10 Joshua’s Farewell and Final Words (Joshua 23)

Memory Verse: “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:29-31

Farewells, whether for a short time or as a final time, the last words you say to someone are important, sometimes critical. When my children walk out the door for school, I am usually giving them advice or information that I feel they will need during the day. When I drop my youngest off for a play date, I give her final instructions on good behavior and what I expect from her. When I tell my parents good-bye after a visit, I make sure they know that I love them and are thankful for what they have done for me. If you have had to tell someone good-bye forever on this side of eternity, those last words you said to them are probably a memory you will never forget.

Here in this chapter, Joshua is giving final words to Israel. He knows what is best for them and he doesn’t want them to mess up and miss what God has in store for them. Joshua knows that obedience will be blessings and disobedience will bring suffering.

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______Basic (Day 1): What do these passages reveal about God? How does this apply to me?

Dig Deeper (Day 2 and 3)

1. Read Joshua 23:6 with Joshua 1:9. Why does Joshua need to say again, “Be very strong”? Shouldn’t they ‘get it’ by now that they should be strong in the Lord? Why the need for the reminder?

2. Look at Joshua 23: 6 – 16. What had God done for Israel?

3. What would He no longer do if they turned away from Him?

4. What would these nations become to them if they turned away from God?

5. How do things/people/events become snares for us if we turn away from God?

6. What is that one thing that you must constantly fight against and turn continually back to God? Confess it to Him now.

Dig Even Deeper (Day 4 and 5)

1. Read John 17. In this passage Jesus prayed for His disciples and for future believers. His time for the cross had come and part of His farewell to the disciples was to pray for them (and you and me too!) What does Jesus pray for them and us?

2. How does this comfort you?

3. What motivates Joshua’s concern for Israel as he knows his time of death is near and what was Jesus’ motivation for praying for us?

4. Final words are important. Joshua knew that if Israel turned from God, who is faithful to keep His promises, they would “quickly perish from the good land he has given you.” How can we take Joshua’s words to heart and apply to our own lives?

Week 11 Renew, Reaffirm and Recommit (Joshua 24)

Memory Verse: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” Romans 8:32-34

Sometimes we just need reminding. Sometimes we forget. I KNOW how good God is. I KNOW He is faithful and true. I trust Him and love Him, but sometimes I forget to serve Him with all of me. My forgetting is due to lack of communication between God and me. It’s due to lack of God’s words coming into my life. It’s due to me allowing other things to take precedence over the things of God. I don’t want to forget, but I do. When I do remember though, God is there. I can reconnect to Him and by remembering what He has done for me in the past and how He has ALWAYS been there for me, I can serve Him openly and with abandon. It’s a process, and one where God is the leader and I simply must follow.

Personal thoughts and notes ______

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______Basic (Day 1): What do these passages reveal about God? How does this apply to me?

Dig Deeper (Day 2 and 3)

1. Recount what God did for Israel in verses 2 -13. Don’t miss anything!

2. Verse 13 says, “So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.” Recall what God has done for you. Where and with what has He simply amazed you and given you things that you did not deserve or earn?

3. What was Israel to do to fear and serve the Lord? What did they have to get rid of?

4. What was Israel’s response?

Dig Even Deeper (Day 4 and 5)

1. Read 1 Samuel 17. Pay particular attention to verse 12. Relate this to Joshua 24:25-26.

2. These verses refer to an Ebenezer. It is defined by Merriam-Webster as a commemoration of divine assistance. You may be familiar with this hymn….

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing Here I raise my Ebenezer; Hither by Thy help I'm come; And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home. Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God; He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed His precious blood.

Why did Joshua place an Ebenezer in verse 26 – 27?

3. How often do we cry that we will serve God and yet don’t? How can remembering God’s faithfulness to us help us serve Him?

4. “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” verse 15a. Write a commitment to God about serving Him. Raise your own Ebenezers here to remember so that what He has done for you will not be easily forgotten.

Week 12 Moving On

Memory Verse: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39

Move in this place, today

This is my one desire

That You would have your way

Touch me Lord, and I won't be the same

Move in this place, today

Lyrics from “Move in this Place”

Personal thoughts and notes ______

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______Basic (Day 1)

What do you think are the key concepts or theme of this book?

Dig Deeper (Day 2 and 3) 1. Look back over you lessons. What truths or principles stand out to you?

2. How have you been able to apply them to you life?

3. We know that God gave victory to the Israelites as they went into the Promised Land. Look up verses about God giving believers victory.

4. God is the victor. Look up John 16:33. Where do you need victory in your life right now? Dig Even Deeper (Day 4 and 5)

1. Read Joshua 29 – 33. Verse 32 says that “Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him ad who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel.” We see though, that in Judges after Joshua died, that “In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” Judges 17:6 How quickly they forgot all that God had done for their nation.

I want my great-great-great grandchildren to be Christ followers. I am sure you want yours to be Christ followers too. What can we do now to leave a solid Christian legacy for those who come after us?

2. Read Deuteronomy 11:18 – 21.

18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you down and when you get up. 20 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, 21 so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. How will you fix God’s words in your home so that those who come after you will “Love the Lord your God with all (their) heart and with all (their) soul and with all (their) strength and with all (their) mind'?

3. “Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.” Psalm 37:5 Choose this day whom you will serve. What areas do you need to commit to the Lord? Where do you have difficulty serving Him?

Be blessed dear sister that our God is faithful. He is our friend. He is our guide. Put your trust in Him and He will never fail you.

Week 2 “For those who live according to the flesh set Week 1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but and death. For God has done what the law, weakened to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.” Romans sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement 8:5-7 of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-4

Week 4 “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the Week 2 “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Romans the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will 8:8-10 live.” Romans 8:11-13

Week 6 “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and Week 5 “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery order that we may also be glorified with him. For I to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of consider that the sufferings of this present time are not adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the children of God.” Romans 8:14-16 revealing of the sons of God.” Romans 8:17-19

Week 8 “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, Week 7 “For the creation was subjected to futility, not who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he children of God. For we know that the whole creation sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth it with patience.” Romans 8:23-25 until now.” Romans 8:20-22

Week 10 “For those whom he foreknew he also Week 9 “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but order that he might be the firstborn among many the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too brothers. And those whom he predestined he also deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows called, and those whom he called he also justified, and what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit those whom he justified he also glorified. What then intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can And we know that for those who love God all things be against us?” Romans 8:29-31 work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:26-28

Week 12 “No, in all these things we are more than Week 11 “He who did not spare his own Son but gave conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39 indeed is interceding for us.” Romans 8:32-34