LORD’S
ARMY

68
LORD’S
ARMY

1

Additional
Resources







Craigie,
Peter
C.
The
Problem
of
War
in
the
Old
Testament.
Wm.
B.
Erdmans
Publishing
Co.
1978.


Howard,
David
M.,
The
New
American
Commentary
Volume
5
-
Joshua
.
Broadman
&
Holman
Publishing.

2008.


Hess,

Richard
S.,
Joshua:
An
Introduction
and
Commentary
(Tyndale
Old
Testament
Commentaries)
.

Tyndale.
2008


Schaeffer,
Francis
A
&
Udo
W.
Middelmann,
Joshua
and
the
Flow
of
Biblical
History.
Francis
Schaeffer
Foundation.
2 nd
Ed.
2004.
(1 st
ed.
1975).


Ralph,
Davis
Dale,
Joshua:
No
Falling
Words
(Focus
on
the
Bible).
Baker
Publishing
Co.
1996.

Woudstra,
Marten
H.,
The
Book
of
Joshua
(The
New
International
Commentary
on
the
Old
Testament) .

Wm.
B.
Erdmans
Publishing
Co.
1981.

LORD’S
ARMY

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LORD’S
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67
Notes
The
LORD’S
ARMY
A
Study
Guide
for
the
Book
of
Joshua

LORD’S
ARMY

66
LORD’S
ARMY

3
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS


Notes:
Read
this
first...... 5



Studying
Joshua…...... 6


Introduction
to
the
Book
of
Joshua…...... 8


- The
History
before
Joshua

- The
Battlefield
(the
Land)

- The
Enemy
(Canaanites)


- The
Theology
of
Joshua

- Warfare
in
Joshua




The
Warrior
and
the
War ………………………………………………………………………………………….16-23

Week
1
-
Introduction
to
Joshua


Week
2
-
Joshua
1.1-9
–
The
man
Week
3
-
Joshua
1.10-18
–
The
people

Week
4
-
Joshua
2.1-24
–
The
Reconnaissance



From
Wanderers
To
Warriors………………………………………………………………………………….24-29

Week
5
-
Joshua
3.1-17–
The
Crossing

Week
6
-
Joshua
4.1-24.
–
The
Memorial

Week
7
-
Joshua
5.1-12
–
The
Army
Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING

1. Read
Genesis
12.6-7.

What
is
the
significance
of
Shechem?
The
First
Victory,
The
First
Defeat ……………………………………………………………………….....30-37
Week
8
-
Joshua
5.13-6.27
–First
Conquest

Week
9
-
Joshua
7.1-26
–
First
Defeat

Week
10
-
Joshua
8.1-29
–
First
Victory
2. What
choice
does
Joshua
put
forward
to
Israel?

What
choice
does
he
make,
Week
11
-
Joshua
8.30-35
–Covenant

and
who
does
he
make
it
for?


The
Southern
War ………………………………………………………………………………………………….….38-43

Week
12
-
Joshua
9.1-27
–
The
Bad
Treaty

3. How
has
your
view
of
Joshua
changed
since
the
beginning
of
this
study?

Week
13
-
Joshua
10.1-15
–
Battles,
pt
1
How
do
you
think
Israel
felt
about
his
death?
Week
14
-
Joshua
10.16-43
–
Battles,
pt
2



The
Northern
War ………………………………………………………………………………………………………44-47
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
Week
15
-
Joshua
11.1-23
–
Final
Combat
1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
Week
16
-
Joshua
12.1-24
–
The
Conquered

during
this
sermon?
The
Spoils
of
War ………………………………………………………………………………………………….....48-61

Week
17
-
Joshua
13.1-33
–
The
Inheritance

2. Following
their
verbal
confession
(v.
19)
Joshua
tells
Israel
of
their
rebellious
Week
18
-
Joshua
14.1-15
–
The
Lone
Soldier
hearts
saying,
“You
are
not
able
to
serve
the
LORD,
for
he
is
a
holy
God.”

Week
19
-
Joshua
15
–
The
Borders

How
does
the
Gospel
affirm
this
statement
and
give
us
hope?

Week
20
-
Joshua
16-17
–
The
Appeal

Week
21
-
Joshua
18-19
–
The
Allotment

3. Read
Hebrews
11.32-38.

How
does
this
passage
challenge
your
view
of
the
Week
22
-
Joshua
20-21
–
The
Cities
“victorious”
Christian
life?

Is
it
all
conquest
like
Joshua?

How
does
the
life
Week
23
-
Joshua
22.1-34
–
The
Breach
of
Jesus
prove
this?


The
Next
War …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….62-65
4. What
is
the
most
empowering,
convicting,
comforting,
or
otherwise
Week
24
-
Joshua
23.1-16
–
The
Charge
impactful
truth
that
you
have
gained
from
this
study?


Week
25
-
Joshua
24.1-33
–
The
Choice



LORD’S
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LORD’S
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65
THE
NEXT
WAR Week
25
Read
this
first
The
Choice




Scripture:

Joshua
24.1-33

The
66
books
of
Scripture
are
all
part
of
the
one
story
of
Redemption.

From
the

very
first
book
of
the
Old
Testament,
even
the
first
few
chapters,
Scripture
Key
Verse:

points
to
the
hero
of
the
Bible,
Jesus
Christ.

The
entire
purpose
of
the
Old
Now
therefore
fear
the
LORD
and
serve
him
in
sincerity
and
in
faithfulness.

Put
Testament
is
to
point
towards
a
future
redemption
of
God’s
people
when
he
will
away
the
gods
that
your
fathers
served
beyond
the
River
and
in
Egypt,
and
save
his
people
from
sin
and
death.

God’s
covenant
people,
the
people
of
his
serve
the
LORD.

And
if
it
is
evil
in
your
eyes
to
serve
the
LORD,
choose
this
day
promise,
hope
in
the
coming
of
God’s
salvation.

As
each
book
and
each
chapter
whom
you
will
serve,
whether
the
gods
your
fathers
served
in
the
region
beyond
unfolds,
God
reveals
more
and
more
about
his
perfections.
the
River,
or
the
gods
of
the
Amorites
in
whose
land
you
dwell.
.
But
as
for
me

and
my
house,
we
will
serve
the
LORD.”

Joshua
24.14-15
The
book
of
Joshua
is
no
exception,
though
it
remains
one
of
the
most

controversial
books
of
the
Bible.

Through
an
incredibly
violent
narrative,
God
Summary:
reveals
himself
as
a
holy
and
just
warrior
fighting
for
the
purity
of
worship.

Not
The
book
of
Deuteronomy
ends
with
the
reaffirmation
of
God’s
covenant
(Deut
only
are
many
hard
pressed
to
understand
the
relevance
of
book
full
of
land
32.46)
and
the
death
of
Moses.

Similarly,
the
record
of
Joshua
ends
by
surveys
written
thousands
of
years
ago,
others
are
equally
disturbed
by
the
reaffirming
the
covenant
and
the
reporting
of
his
own
death
by
an
unnamed
apparent
paradox
of
how
a
loving
God
can
give
commands
for
such
brutal
editor.

Joshua
gathers
all
of
Israel
to
Shechem,
the
very
place
where
God
had
warfare.
first
promised
the
land
to
Abraham
(Gen.
12.6-7).

He
then
reviews
the
history
of



the
covenant
from
Abraham
to
the
present
day
when
they
are
dwelling
in
cities
Joshua
presents
some
difficult
questions,
causing
many
churches
to
avoid
such
they
did
not
build,
eating
fruit
they
did
not
plant—gifts
from
the
LORD.


studies.

The
leadership
of
Damascus
Road,
however,
is
committed
to
a
verse
by

verse
preaching
of
ALL
Scripture
because
we
believe
that
ALL
Scripture
is
Following
the
review,
Joshua
calls
for
a
response.

He
charges
them—for
Israel
to
breathed
out
by
God
(2Tim.
3.16).

The
Apostle
Peter
wrote
that:
“no
prophecy
make
a
choice
between
serving
the
gods
or
serving
the
LORD.

The
commitment
was
ever
produced
by
the
will
of
man,
but
men
spoke
from
God
as
they
were
is
an
exclusive
one;
they
must
make
a
decision
that
will
literally
kill
(‘cide)
the
carried
along
by
the
Holy
Spirit.”
(2Peter
1.21).

In
other
words,
God
intended
us
alternatives.

Choosing
to
serve
pagan
false
gods
which
aren’t
anything
more
to
have
and
to
learn
from
every
single
word
of
Scripture—including
Joshua.

than
wood
or
stone,
as
opposed
to
the
living
God
who
acts
is
foolish.

Having
Moreover,
the
Apostle
Paul
wrote
that
ALL
Scripture,
“was
written
for
our
laid
out
an
argument
with
only
one
real
choice,
Joshua
draws
a
proverbial
line.

instruction,
that
through
endurance
and
through
the
encouragement
of
the
He
cares
little
for
popular
opinion
and
confesses
his
commitment
to
serve
the
Scriptures
we
might
have
hope.”
(Roman
15.4).
The
words
of
Joshua,
as
difficult
LORD.

The
people
respond
with
their
own
commitment,
which
Joshua
as
they
are,
were
written
to
instruct
and
encourage
us
in
our
faith.


challenges.

If
they
are
going
to
actually
serve
the
LORD,
they
cannot
simply

confess
with
their
mouths.

If
a
commitment
to
the
LORD
is
approached
casually
The
story
of
Joshua
and
the
people
of
Israel
obtaining
the
promise
rest
is
our
or
taken
lightly,
it
won’t
be
lived
out
absolutely.


This
is
an
all
or
nothing
story.

The
ultimate
hope
of
obtaining
the
promise
is
not
one
of
obtaining
a
big
relationship
with
a
covenant-making
God
that
requires
more
than
religion.
chunk
of
land—it
is
Jesus
himself.

Joshua
is
a
general
who
is
led,
a
warrior

whom
Jesus
fights
for.

Jesus
is
the
true
hero
of
this
story,
conquering
sin
and
Israel
served
God
faithfully
all
the
days
of
Joshua
and
the
elders.

The
entry
into
death
that
we
might
worship
Him.

Without
him,
we
will
not
conquer
no
matter
the
Promised
Land
proved
that
a
faithless
generation
could
give
birth
to
a
how
hard
we
fight.
With
him,
he
fights
for
us
and
gives
us
rest
(Matt.
11.29)

faithful
one.
Tragically,
the
book
of
Judges
proves
that
a
faithful
generation
can

also
give
rise
to
a
faithless
one.

The
question
we
must
all
ask
is
which
one
are
Led
by
the
King,

we,
trusting
that
even
if
we
are
in
the
midst
of
a
faithless
one,
God
remains

faithful.






Sam
Ford,
Lead
Pastor

On
behalf
of
the
Elders
of
Damascus
Road
Church



LORD’S
ARMY

64
LORD’S
ARMY

5
Studying
the
Book
of
Joshua
Notes:
We
will
study
the
Book
of
Joshua
VERSE
by
VERSE.

Each
chapter
begins
with

the
passage
being
studied
with
a
key
verse
highlighted.

The
particular
sermon

will
make
use
of
additional
texts
that
help
flesh
out
the
truth
in
the
main

passage.

Following
the
given
text,
there
is
a
basic
summary
referencing
various

passages
that
you
can
use
for
review
or,
if
you
miss
a
Sunday,
will
help
you

follow
along
with
us
wherever
we
are.

The
sermon
may
not
follow
the

summary
perfectly.

There
are
also
some
questions
for
personal
reflection,
for

Road
Group
discussion,
and
an
entire
section
for
Family
Study.





suggestions
for
individual
soldiers


PRAY :
Before
you
begin,
pray
that
God
would
open
your
mind
to
understand

and
your
heart
to
accept
His
Word.

Pray
that,
as
you
see
the
truth,
the
Holy

Spirit
will
give
you
strength
to
act
in
accordance
with
what
you
have

learned.





STUDY :

Work
through
the
study
and
write
out
answers
to
the
questions.

Resist
any
temptation
to
skip
over
questions
in
the
section.
It
is
important

to
ponder
how
the
truths
apply
to
your
life.
Though
these
questions
are

sometimes
penetrating
and
difficult,
they
are
designed
to
help
you
think

seriously
about
your
understanding
of
God,
yourself,
and
others.
Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING

1. Has
all
the
land
been
possessed
yet?

How
do
you
know?

SHARE :

Take
what
opportunities
you
can
to
share
with
others
about
what

you’ve
learned
and
how
you’d
like
your
life
to
change
as
a
result.


2. In
what
way
does
Joshua
charge
the
leaders
to
be
strong?
suggestions
for
Platoons
(Road
Groups)
who
fight
together



REVIEW:

It
is
recommended
that
you
take
some
time
to
meditate
on
some
3. What
does
Joshua
promise
Israel
will
happen
if
they
remain
faithful
to
God’s
or
all
of
the
passages
preached.

Review
the
sermon
but,
more
importantly,
Word?

What
does
he
warn
Israel
will
happen
if
they
don’t?
the
verses
and
their
surrounding
contexts.

Try
to
spend
more
time

dialoguing
about
God’s
Word
and
the
truth
therein,
rather
than
focusing
on

the
strengths
or
weaknesses
of
the
sermon
itself.
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION

1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally

DISCUSS :

In
your
time
together
as
a
community,
discuss
what
you
have
during
this
sermon?
learned.

Present
new
questions
or
verses
that
have
come
to
mind
as
you

have
studied.

Focus
on
the
implications
for
your
lives
individually
and
as
a
2. How
does
the
gospel
(what
God
has
done)
inform
all
that
we
do?

In
other
group.

words,
what
is
the
difference
between
working
FOR
our
righteousness
and

working
FROM
it?

REVEAL :

Share
with
one
another
how
you
sense
God
calling
you
to
change,

pray
for
one
another
about
these
things,
and
invite
one
another
to
3. What
is
the
proper
motivation
for
obedience?

Why
do
we
need
both
the
encourage
you
and
hold
you
accountable
to
apply
the
truth.


grace
of
God
(v.9-10)
and
the
fear
of
God
(v.11-13),
both
his
goodness
and
his

judgment?




PRAY :

In
your
time
together
as
a
community,
use
this
guide
as
a
launching

point
for
discussion
and
genuine
care
for
one
another.
Resist
the
urge
to
4. When
is
our
war
over?

Why
must
our
battle
be
both
against
idolatry
and
have
to
discuss
every
question
or
“get
through
the
material.”

Listen
to
one
for
the
one
true
God?
What
is
the
role
of
community
in
our
fight?
another’s
hearts
beyond
the
words
of
the
answer
so
that
you
might
minister
to
one
another
effectively.


LORD’S
ARMY

6
LORD’S
ARMY

63
THE
NEXT
WAR Week
24

The
Charge

suggestions
for
your
Army’s
(family’s)
“BONFIRE”

We
encourage
each
family
to
set
aside
some
time
each
week
to
reading
and
Scripture:

Joshua
23.1-16
talking
about
Jesus.




Key
Verse:


GROW
AS
A
FAMILY:

Sunday
morning
is
where
we
gather
as
a
Sacred
Therefore
be
strong
to
keep
and
to
do
all
that
is
written
in
the
Book
of
the
Law
Assembly
to
worship
our
God
together
in
unity.

Our
hope
is
that
parents
of
Moses,
turning
aside
from
it
neither
to
the
right
hand
or
the
left,
that
you
may
will
not
abdicate
their
responsibility
and
make
the
“church”
responsible
to
not
mix
with
these
nations
remaining
among
you
or
make
mention
of
the
names
teach
their
children
about
God.

We
desire
to
see
parents
to
pastor
their
of
their
gods
or
swear
by
them
or
serve
them
or
bow
down
to
them,
but
you
homes
every
day
of
the
week.
We
realize
this
is
difficult.

To
help
you,
we
shall
cling
to
the
LORD
your
God
just
as
you
have
done
this
day.

Joshua
23.6-8
have
provided
suggested
activities
to
follow
each
week.

These
are
simply

suggestions
to
help
guide
you
as
you
lead
your
family.
Please
adjust
or
Summary:
modify
these
to
accommodate
the
needs
of
your
family .
Joshua
is
old
and
he
senses
it
is
his
time
to
die.

Some
of
his
final
words
are
a

charge
for
Israel
to
remain
faithful
over
the
long
haul.

As
he
exhorts
Israel,
he

LEARN
AS
A
FAMILY :

Make
a
practice
of
discussing
what
you
are
learning.

reminds
them
of
all
that
God
has
done
on
their
behalf—“how
he
has
fought
for
The
spirit
of
Deuteronomy
6.6-9
says,
“ And
these
words
that
I
command
you
you”
(v.
3b).

The
motivation
behind
Israel’s
commitment
to
the
mission
is
not
today
shall
be
on
your
heart…teach
them
diligently
to
your
children…talk
of
what
they
might
accomplish,
but
what
God
has
already
achieved.

them
when
you
sit
in
your
house...when
you
walk…when
you
lie
down…

when
you
rise…bind
them
on
your
hand
and
between
your
eyes…
write
Just
as
God
had
charged
his
newly
appointed
leader
of
a
new
generation,
Joshua
them
on
your
doorposts
and
gates.”




instructs
the
future
generations
that
will
rise
after
he
passes.

He
charges
them

to
remain
strong,
specifically,
to
commit
themselves
uncompromisingly
to
God’s

WORSHIP
AS
A
FAMILY :

One
day
each
week,
we
are
encouraging
families
Word,
as
they
had
done
through
the
conquest.

In
other
words,
the
conquest
is
to
hold
a
worship
service
on
a
Sabbath
rest
day
other
than
Sunday.
The
over
but
the
fight
is
never
done.


And
at
the
heart
of
the
fight
is
not
for
more
elders
of
Damascus
Road
believe
it
is
important
to
‘ Sabbath ”
in
this
way
as
land
or
money,
rather,
it
is
against
idolatry
and
the
ways
of
sin,
and
it
is
for
the
a
family,
outside
of
the
church
gathering.

This
can
include
a
brief
time
of
purity
of
worship
and
delight
in
the
ways
of
God.
singing,
reading
Scripture,
and
prayer.

If
you
make
it
enjoyable
and

consistent,
you
will
find
your
children
look
forward
to
this
day
all
week!
Joshua’s
charge
is
given
with

both
promises
and
warnings.

If
they
fight
to
love
the
LORD,

PRAY
AS
A
FAMILY :

Finally,
we’re
encouraging
each
family
to
spend
some
they
will
experience
blessing.

If
time
in
prayer.

Not
only
do
we
want
to
encourage
this
as
a
daily
discipline,
they
fight
against
the
idolatrous
but
also
as
part
of
the
Sabbath
experience.

In
times
past,
the
Jewish
culture
remnant
of
the
nations
they
made
a
practice
of
regularly
laying
hands
on
and
praying
over
their
children.

have
driven
out,
they
will
be
We
think
it
will
go
far
to
demonstrate
this
kind
of
dependence
on
God
in
a
prosperous.

But
if
they
fight
for
more
intentional
and
visible
way.



their
lust,
they
will
be

destroyed.

If
they
cling
to
the
questions
or
comments?
nations,
they
will
kindle
the
If
you
have
feedback
or
questions
about
the
series
or
studies,
please
feel
free
to
anger
of
the
LORD
and
be
email
them
to
[email protected] .
removed
from
the
land.

These
are
the
last
words
of
a
leader
with
a
deep
concern
for
legacy.








LORD’S
ARMY

62
LORD’S
ARMY

7
Introduction
to
the
Book
of
Joshua
Notes:


The
History
before
Joshua

All
too
often
when
we
study
the
Old
Testament,
we
make
one
of
three
mistakes

in
our
approach:
1)
we
misunderstand
the
Old
Testament
as
only
a
series
of

stories
and
events
that
teach
good
principles
for
today;
2)
We
dismiss
the
Old

Testament
as
only
applicable
to
Israel
as
a
nation,
and
not
to
the
church
today;

or
3)
we
ignore
the
Old
Testament
completely
because
it
is
difficult
to

understand.



Without
the
Old
Testament,
the
New
Testament
makes
little
sense.
That
is

because
Old
and
New
Testaments
are
both
part
of
one
larger
story
with
Jesus

as
the
hero.

The
entire
purpose
of
the
Old
Testament
is
to
point
towards
a

future
redemption
when
God
will
save
his
fallen
chosen.

Gods’
covenant
people,

the
people
of
his
promise,
hope
in
the
coming
of
Jesus
Christ—God’s
salvation.
In

the
Old
Testament
his
covenant
is
lived
out
in
the
life
of
Israel
until
Jesus

comes,
and
in
the
New
Testament
in
the
life
of
the
church
until
Jesus
comes

again.

Joshua,
then,
is
not
a
study
of
Israel’s
history
as
much
as
it
is
a
study
of

our
own.

A
review
of
what
has
happened
before
Joshua
will
help
us
to
understand
what
place
the
narrative
of
Joshua
has
in
the
overall
meta-narrative

that
is
Jesus’
story.





To
begin,
the
first
five
books
of
the
Old
Testament
are
called
the
books
of
the
Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
Law
or
the
Pentateuch.

They
include
Genesis,
Exodus,
Leviticus,
Numbers,
and
1. Who
does
Joshua
commend
and
what
does
he
command
them
to
do?
Deuteronomy.

Joshua
is
the
bridge
between
the
GIVING
of
the
Law
and
the

LIVING
of
the
Law.




2. What
do
the
Transjordan
tribes
construct
at
the
Jordan
River?

Genesis

is
the
book
of
beginnings.

It
starts
with
the
description
of
creation
and

ultimately
provides
insight
into
the
relationships
between
God
and
nature;
Man

and
nature,
Man
and
God;
and
man
and
man.

This
book
alone
establishes
the
3. How
do
the
tribes
west
of
the
Jordan
respond
to
the
actions
of
the
foundational
theology
and
understanding
of
God’s
designs
beginning
with
Transjordan
tribes?

How
is
the
conflict
resolved?
creation
being
perfectly
FORMED.

Tragically,
the
pinnacle
of
his
creation,

mankind,
causes
the
DEFORMATION
of
all
of
creation
through
rebellion.

Sin

enters
the
world
when
Adam
decides
that
what
is
good,
right,
and
truthful
does
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
not
rest
with
God’s
Word
alone.

In
love,
God
removes
them
from
the
garden
so
1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
that
they
won’t
eat
from
the
tree
of
life
and
continue
to
live
in
their
sin.

The
during
this
sermon?
plan
to
save
men
had
already
begun.



2. Some
leaders
are
“ commenders”
only,
while
others
are
“ commanders”
only.

Although
sinful
man
is
utterly
destroyed
by
a
flood,
sin
lives
on
and
mankind
Why
must
a
good
leader
balance
both
and
avoid
extremes?
stupidly
attempts
to
build
a
self-glorifying
culture
without
God.
He
then
chooses

Abraham,
a
Babylonian
who
is
not
a
moral
man,
perhaps
even
a
godless
man.
3. What
is
dangerous
in
viewing
the
church
as
a
democracy?

How
might
a
God
selects
him
by
Grace
and
makes
a
covenant
with
him,
promising
to
make
commitment
to
pluralism
impact
doctrine
or
issues
of
church
discipline?

his
seed
a
great
nation
that
will,
in
turn,
bless
the
world.

The
remainder
of

Genesis
follows
his
family
line
to
establish
the
Covenant
people
(Israel)
through
4. Clearly,
all
of
Israel
has
a
godly
passion
for
the
true
worship
of
God.

Abraham,
his
son
Isaac,
and
his
grandson
Jacob.

It
ends
with
one
of
Jacob’s
Moreover,
they
also
have
a
“godly
anxiety”
for
those
who
wander
from
the
(Israel)
youngest
of
12
sons
(12
tribes)
named
Joseph,
providentially
saving
Egypt
path.

Why
must
we
be
careful
to
have
our
love
for
people
be
motivated
by
and
taking
care
of
the
family
during
a
famine.
a
love
for
God?






LORD’S
ARMY

8
LORD’S
ARMY

61
THE
SPOILS
OF
WAR Week
23
Exodus
–
Eventually,
Joseph
dies
and
everything
he
did
for
Egypt
is
forgotten.

Blessed
by
God,
the
“Hebrews”
are
made
to
be
slave
laborers
in
Egypt.

The
The
Breach

word
“Exodus”
means
departure
as
the
book
tells
the
story
of
the
redemption
of

God’s
people
from
enslavement,
led
by
God
through
a
man
named
Moses.

Scripture:

Joshua
22.1-34
Exodus
records
God
declaring
his
“name”
through
a
series
of
miracles
ending

with
the
parting
of
the
Red
Sea.

The
book
provides
foundational
theology
with
Key
Verse:

regard
to
who
God
is,
and
what
he
expects
from
his
people.

It
records
God
Thus
says
the
whole
congregation
of
the
LORD,
“What
is
this
breach
of
faith
that
establishing
his
written
law,
the
sacrificial
system,
and
the
building
of
the
Ark
of
you
have
committed
against
the
God
of
Israel
in
turning
away
this
day
from
the
Covenant
(a
representation
of
God’s
presence—not
in
fact
his
presence).


following
the
LORD
by
building
yourselves
an
altar
this
day
in
rebellion
against
the
LORD?...he
will
be
angry
with
the
whole
congregation
of
Israel.”

Joshua
Leviticus

-
The
book
of
Leviticus
is
about
holiness.
As
they
travel
toward
the
22.16,
18b
Promised
Land
book
of
Leviticus
records
a
series
of
specific
laws
and
regulations

for
worship
and
living
(some
quite
disgusting
as
regards
birth,
bodily
discharge,
Summary:
sex,
food,
diseases,)
including
the
specifics
concerning
offerings.
Israel
stands
as
Now
that
the
land
has
been
possessed
by
the
faithfulness
of
God,
the
last
three
God’s
earthly
representative;
therefore,
God
establishes
authority
over
every
chapters
of
Joshua
focus
on
the
continued
faithfulness
of
the
people
to
retain
aspect
of
their
religious,
communal
and
personal
life
as
a
means
of
attaining
the
land.

Essentially,
the
question
for
all
of
Israel
is
whether
or
not
they
will
holiness.


remain
unwavering
in
maintaining
the
purity
of
worship,
as
they
live
with
each

other
AND
among
the
people’s
they
have
not
fully
conquered.


Numbers —The
book
of
numbers
continues
to
follow
the
travels
of
Moses
as
he

leads
Israel
toward
the
promised
land
through
three
different
areas.

Their
goal
Joshua
is
a
strong
leader.

He
is
a
man
of
action,
but
he
is
also
a
man
of
is
to
travel
from
Sinai
to
the
plains
of
Moab
on
the
border
of
Canaan.

In
Jewish
gratitude.

The
passage
begins
with
Joshua’s
commendation
of
the
Reubenites,
terms,
the
Book
of
Numbers
is
known
as
the
“Rebellion
in
the
Wilderness”.

That
Gadites,
and
half
of
Manasseh,
who
had
settled
east
of
the
Jordan
but
traveled
is
because
as
they
approach
the
border
of
the
Promised
Land
and,
Instead
of
across
the
Jordon
to
aid
in
the
conquest
of
the
whole
land.


These
tribes
have
excitement
and
faith,
there
are
murmurings
of
rebellion
of
God’s
people.
Instead
spent
over
five
years
at
war,
apart
of
a
response
of
gratitude,
faith,
and
obedience,
they
responded
with
unbelief,
from
their
home
and
families.

Having
climaxing
in
their
refusal
to
enter
the
Promised
Land
after
a
report
from
faithless
come
at
the
strong
charge
of
their
spies.
Instead
of
living
out
their
identity
as
God’s
redeemed
covenant
people,

leader,
they
now
return
at
his
equally
their
lack
of
faith
condemns
them
to
live
out
their
lives
in
the
desert.

In
short,
powerful
blessing.

Upon
their
return,
God
waits
for
a
generation
to
die
so
he
can
start
with
a
new
crew,
plus
the
two
the
tribes
make
the
decision
to
build
faithful
spies
Caleb
and
Joshua.

Through
his
own
disobedience,
even
Moses
a
large
altar
as
a
“witness”
to
the
himself
forfeits
his
right
to
enter
the
promised
“rest”
of
God.
unity
they
themselves
demonstrated

with
all
of
Israel
for
future
Deuteronomy
–
The
title
means
‘repetition
of
the
law’.

The
book
is
a
review
of
generations
(v.
27).


the
promises
and
mighty
acts
that
reveal
God’s
character.

Written
in
the
form

of
a
treaty
between
a
king
and
his
vassal
state,
it
calls
on
Israel
to
remember
The
tribes
west
of
the
Jordan
hear
of
what
God
had
done
for
them.

In
response,
the
people
are
called
to
a
complete
the
altar.

Unsure
of
its
purpose,
they
assemble
to
make
war
against
the
tribes
and
total
commitment
to
God;
but
the
book
ends
with
God
telling
Moses
that
they
once
fought
with.

Deuteronomy
12-14
made
it
clear
that
Israel
was
to
they
will
ultimately
fail.

However,
even
with
the
people’s
failure,
God
is
true.

It
worship
at
the
place
of
God’s
choosing.

The
building
of
an
altar
for
worship
and
makes
sense
then
that
Deuteronomy,
as
the
capstone
of
the
Five
books
of
the
sacrifice
would
be
a
serious
breach
of
God’s
covenant,
threatening
all
of
Israel.

Law,
takes
us
to
edge
of
the
Promised
Land
but,
like
Moses,
not
into
it.

With
the
Their
strong
reaction
demonstrates
their
uncompromising
faithfulness
and
death
of
Moses,
we
see
that
the
Law
can
only
take
us
so
far.

While
in
some
passion
for
the
purity
of
worship.

The
potentially
tragic
misunderstanding
leads
sense
it
can
lead
us
in
the
way
of
God,
it
cannot
lead
us
into
his
presence.


to
a
confirmation
of
faith
in
the
Transjordan
tribes.

The
tribes
explain
that
the

altar
is
in
fact
a
monument
to
ensure
their
future
fidelity
(v.
13-20).

The
purity
Joshua
–
Enter
Joshua,
meaning
“Salvation
from
God”,
this
is
one
of
the
most
of
worship
is
preserved,
the
unity
of
Israel
affirmed,
and
all
of
this
is
verified
by
controversial,
action-filled,
and
seemingly
blood-thirsty
books
of
the
Bible.

It
a
trusted
man
of
God
signaling
a
new
era
in
the
leadership
of
Israel.



provides
a
historical
look
at
Israel
as
they
enter
the
land
promised
to
Abraham.







LORD’S
ARMY

60
LORD’S
ARMY

9
The
Battlefield
(the
Unconquered
Land)
Notes:
Joshua
1.4
describes
the
boundaries
of
the
Promised
Land:
“ 4
From
the

wilderness
and
this
Lebanon
as
far
as
the
great
river,
the
river
Euphrates,
all
the

land
of
the
Hittites
to
the
Great
Sea
toward
the
going
down
of
the
sun
shall
be

your
territory.
“

Below
are
listed
some
geographic
locations,
important
to

understanding
the
conquest:



1. Shittim :

For
39+
years,
the
Israelites
wandered
the
wilderness
just
East
of

the
Promised
Land.

The
story
begins
with
the
Israelites
camped
at
Shittim.


It
is
from
here
that
they
begin
their
crossing
of
the
Jordan.




2. Jordan
River :

After
spies
return
from
Jericho
with
a
positive
report,
Joshua

prepares
Israel
to
cross
the
Jordan.

Similar
to
the
miracle
of
the
Red
Sea,

God
stops
the
flow
of
the
river
from
the
town
of
Adam
in
the
North.



3. Gilgal :

The
Israelites
camp
at
Gilgal
after
the
crossing.

There
they

celebrate
a
feast
and
renew
their
covenant
with
God.


4. Jericho :

This
powerful
walled
city
is
conquered
by
following
God’s

instructions
to
march
around
it.

It
is
Israel’s
first
victory
in
the
Land.



5. Ai :

Their
first
victory
is
followed
by
their
first
defeat
at
Ai.

Their
defeat
is
Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
1. Read
Numbers
35.9-34.

What
are
the
cities
of
refuge?

What
impresses
you
caused
by
one
man’s
disobedience
to
God’s
commands
at
Jericho.

After
the
about
the
rules
regarding
these
cities?
sin
is
rooted
out,
they
go
onto
conquer
Ai
in
a
second
battle.




6. Ebal
&
Gerizim
Mts .:
After
the
victory
at
Ai,
Joshua
built
an
altar
at
Mount
2. Read
Numbers
35.1-8.

What
are
the
cities
of
refuge?
Ebal.

Then,
the
people
are
divided
at
the
foot
of
Mount
Ebal
and
Mount

Gerazim.

Standing
between
the
two
mountains,
the
priests
hold
the
Ark
of

the
Covenant.

There,
as
Moses
had
commanded
(Deut.
11.29),
Joshua
3. Read
Ex.
6.16
and
Num.
3.17.

Who
are
the
Kohathites?
Who
are
they
renews
the
covenant
by
reading
the
entire
Law
of
God—every
word.
descendents
of,
and
what
is
their
job?
(see
also
Lev.
8.1-36;
21.1-22.16;
Deut

17.8-13;
Num.
6.22-27,
27.21;
Deut.
33.10)
7. Gibeon :

After
reaffirming
their
covenant,
the
Gibeonites
travel
to
meet

Joshua.

Though
God
commanded
Joshua
not
to
make
treaties
with
anyone

in
the
land,
the
Gibeonites
deceive
Joshua
and
trick
him
into
signing
a
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
treaty.

When
it
is
discovered,

Joshua
honors
the
treaty
but
forces
them
to
1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
become
slave
laborers.

during
this
sermon?


8. Valley
of
Aijalon :

Upset
at
the
Gibeonites
for
making
a
treaty,
the
2. How
does
God’s
justice
represented
in
the
cities
of
refuge
help
to
inform
Canaanite
King
of
Jerusalem
gathers
armies
to
attack
Gibeon.

Because
of
the
belief
that
God
is
“unjust”
with
how
he
deals
with
the
Canaanites?
the
treaty,
Joshua
is
forced
to
defend
Gibeon,
resulting
in
a
war
where
the

sun
“stands
still”
until
all
are
defeated.
3. It
is
easy
to
say,
“I’m
not
a
priest.’

In
what
way
is
the
“sojourner”
existence

of
the
priests
indicative
of
the
mentality
we
are
all
supposed
to
live
daily?

9. Hazor :
Another
King,
Jabin,
organizes
other
surrounding
cities
to
attack
How
is
it
different?

Joshua.
So
begins
the
Northern
campaign
of
Joshua
whom
God
makes

victorious.
4. If
you
were
to
write
a
doxology
(a
short
hymn
of
praise)
that
declared
the

promises
God
has
kept
in
your
life,
what
might
it
say?

Try
to
write
one.

LORD’S
ARMY

10
LORD’S
ARMY

59
THE
SPOILS
OF
WAR Week
22
10. Shiloh:

After
the
armies
of
Canaan
are
conquered,
Israel
sets
up
the
tabernacle
(portable
tent
of
meeting)
at
Shiloh.
It
is
here
that
Joshua
The
Cities
apportions
the
rest
of
the
land
to
the
remaining
tribes.




Scripture:

Joshua
20-21
11. Shechem :

There
is
no
more
war
when
Joshua
lives.
Before
Joshua
dies,
he

addresses
the
entire
nation
from
Shechem.
He
reminds
them
that
the
land
Key
Verse:


was
conquered
because
of
their
obedience
to
God’s
commands
and
that
Then
the
LORD
said
to
Joshua,
“Say
to
the
people
of
Israel,
‘Appoint
the
cities
of
holding
the
land
and
prospering
in
it,
is
dependent
on
their
continuing
refuge,
of
which
I
spoke
to
you
through
Moses,
that
the
manslayer
who
strikes
obedience. (*some information adapted from Life Application Study Bible, Tyndale Press)
any
person
without
intent
or
unknowingly
may
flee
there.

They
shall
be
for
you

a
refuge
from
the
avenger
of
blood”…by
command
of
the
LORD
the
people
of
Israel
[also]
gave
to
the
Levites
the
following
cities
and
pasturelands
out
of
their


inheritance.
Joshua
20.4;
21.3

Summary:
After
the
spoils
of
war
have
been
divided
and
distributed,
the
LORD
commands
Joshua
to
follow
through
on
the
instructions
given
to
Moses
for
setting
aside
special
cities
within
the
various
allotments.

Specifically,
God
commands
that
Israel
set
aside
cities
for
both
justice
for
criminals
and
provision
for
the
priests.


God
commands
that
six
cities
are
set
aside
as
“Cities
of
Refuge”
for
those
who
kill
another
person
accidentally.

What
exactly
constitutes
an
accidental
or
intentional
murder
is
laid
out
by
the
Law
in
great
detail
(Num.
35.9-34).

Within
a
narrative
full
of
violence
and
brutality
that
declares
God’s
justice
and
holiness,
the
cities
of
refuge
help
remind
us
of
God’s
mercy
and
grace.

The
cities
are
established
to
protect
from
vindictive
vengeance
for
something
tragic
as
opposed
to
proper
retribution
for
a
clear
injustice.

The
very
existence
of
the
cities,
however,
emphasizes
the
“sanctity”
of
life
that
is
at
the
heart
of
God.

Those
who
murder
motivated
by
sin
are
to
be
killed.

And
while
those
who
murder
accidentally
are
to
be
protected,
they
are
still
exiled.

God’s
justice
and
mercy
not
only
covered
Israel,
but
those
who
sojourned
with
them—hinting
toward
a
time
when
God
will
bring
those
‘far
off’
near.




God
also
commands
that
cities
be
set
aside
for
the
Levitical
priests
(Num.
35.1-8).
The
tribe
of
Levi
did
not
receive
its
own
inheritance;
rather,
they
resided
in
certain
cities
throughout
Israel.

In
order
to
ensure
their
inheritances,
the
heads
of
the
households
of
the
Levites
approach
Joshua
with
the
authority
of
God’s
promise.

The
Levites
were
set
apart
for
special
service
to
protect
the
purity
of
worship
in
Israel
(Num.
3-4).
They
ask
only
for
what
they
need
to
fulfill
their
calling
of
a
somewhat
“rootless”
existence
among
Israel.

Unlike
the
rest
of
Israel,
they
would
be
forced
to
depend
on
God’s
provision
in
a
way
that
all
Israel
should
aspire
to.

Once
the
land
is
divided,
tabernacle
is
established,
justice
is
affirmed,
and
spiritual
leadership
assumes
its
place,
Israel
is
ready
to
worship.

The
last
three
verses
(43-45)
is
Israel’s
statement
of
worship,
their
doxology
recognizing
God’s
faithfulness.



LORD’S
ARMY

58
LORD’S
ARMY

11
The
Spoils
of
Battle
(the
Divided
Land
before
&
after)
Notes:
Before
the
land
was
conquered,
it
was
inhabited
by
the
various
tribes
of
the

Canaanites.

God
identified
the
distinct
tribes
that
would
be
subject
to
his
wrath

through
Joshua.

After
all
of
the
Canaanites
are
conquered,
Joshua
divides
the

lands
among
the
12
tribes
of
Israel.





When
Joshua
was
alive,
there
was
no
longer
any
war
in
the
land.

After
his

death,
Israel
found
itself
without
a
leader
and
entered
a
dark
time
in
their

history.

The
book
of
Judges
records
a
period
of
325
years,
where
Israel’s

disobedience
results
in
oppression
at
the
hands
of
new
and
old
enemies,
and

even
civil
war.










Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
1. What
do
the
Israelites
set
up
at
Shiloh?

Why?


2. What
does
Joshua
send
the
remaining
tribes
to
do
before
giving
their
allotments?

What
happens
when
they
return—why
is
this
significant?


3. After
the
distribution
to
the
tribes
is
completed,
what
do
the
sons
of
Israel
give
Joshua?
Why?



Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
during
this
sermon?

2. Why
is
it
important
to
have
a
Shiloh—a
sacred
place
to
worship
corporately?
How
is
a
similar
view
of
the
church
gathering
being
challenged
today?


3. The
Israelites
have
failed
to
take
the
land
that
is
subdued.
What
excuses
do
you
think
they
might
have
used
as
reasons
for
their
unwillingness
to
settle
the
land?

How
might
this
relate
to
our
own
failure
to
live
actively
in
the
promises
of
God
and
our
continuing
mission?


4. How
might
the
“setting
up”
of
Shiloh
compare
with
planting
Damascus
Road
Church?

When
do
you
think
a
church
is
ready
to
plant
another
church?

What
might
cause
people
to
become
dangerously
sluggish?






LORD’S
ARMY

12
LORD’S
ARMY

57
THE
SPOILS
OF
WAR Week
21
The
Enemy
(Canaanites)

The
Allotment

The
Canaanites
are
the
people
who
inhabit
the
Promised
Land
when
the

Israelites
cross
the
Jordan.

They
were
the
cursed
descendents
of
Ham
(Gen.
Scripture:

Joshua
18-19
10.6),
the
youngest
son
of
Noah,
who
had
sinned
against
his
father
during
a
strange
episode
following
the
flood
(Gen.
9.18-26).


Canaan
was
the
youngest

son
of
Ham
whose
family,
over
time,
grew
quite
large
and
encompassed
six
Key
Verse:

different
tribes
including
the
Hittites,
the
Hivites,
the
Perizzites,
the
Girgashites,
So
the
men
arose
and
went,
and
Joshua
charged
those
who
went
to
write
the
the
Amorites,
and
the
Jebusites.


Biblically,
“Canaanite”
is
sometimes
used
to
description
of
the
land,
saying,
“Go
up
and
down
in
the
land
and
write
a
designate
the
non-Israelite
inhabitants
of
the
land
in
general
(Gen.
12:6;
Num.
description
and
return
to
me.

And
I
will
cast
lots
for
you
here
before
the
LORD
21:3;
Judg.
1:10).
The
Israelites,
prior
to
entering
the
Promised
Land,
were
in
Shiloh.

So
the
men
went
and
passed
up
and
down
in
the
land
and
wrote
in
a
commanded
utterly
to
destroy
the
descendants
of
Canaan
and
then
possess
it
book
a
description
of
it
by
towns
in
seven
divisions.

Then
they
came
to
Joshua
(Ex.
23:23;
Num.
33:52,
53;
Deut.
20:16,
17).

to
the
camp
at
Shiloh,
and
Joshua
cast
lots
for
them
in
Shiloh
before
the
LORD.


And
there
Joshua
appointed
the
land
to
the
people
of
Israel,
to
each
his
portion.

Many
find
it
hard
to
understand
why
God
would
annihilate
an
entire
race
of
Joshua
18.8-10
people
like
the
Canaanites.

Perhaps
a
better
question
is
why
he
allows
any

idolatrous
cultures
or
individuals
to
live
at
all.


Nevertheless,
Abraham
had
been
Summary:
told,
hundreds
of
years
prior
to
Joshua’s
conquest,
about
the
evil
people
in
the
These
next
two
chapters
are
packed
with
details
as
the
land
is
portioned
out
to
land.

In
fact,
God
told
Abraham
that
his
descendents
would
wait
until
the
fourth
the
seven
remaining
tribes.

As
it
is
with
much
of
the
second
half
of
Joshua,
at
generation
to
possess
the
land
because,
“…the
iniquity
of
the
Amorites
was
not
first
it
may
be
difficult
to
discover
the
“profit”
from
verses
that
read
like
little
yet
complete”
(Genesis
15.16).

So,
as
God
graciously
cared
for
Abraham
and
his
more
than
land
surveys.

In
and
among
the
various
allotments,
however,
God
has
family,
He
mercifully
waited
for
the
Amorites
to
have
their
fill
of
good
times.

In
hidden
some
powerful
truths.

Chapter
18
begins
with
Israel
assembling
and
other
words,
the
nations
which
Israel
destroyed
weren’t
saints.

On
the
contrary,
setting
up
the
tent
of
meeting
at
Shiloh.

Shiloh
is
approximately
10
miles
they
were
deeply
contaminated
northeast
of
Bethel
and
30
miles
north
of
Jerusalem
in
the
tribal
territory
of
with
idolatry
and
sin.

Their
Ephraim.

Shiloh
then,
would
serve
as
the
primary
center
of
worship
for
Israel
as
cultures
were
highly
immoral
due
“Perhaps
a
better
prophesied
by
Moses
(Deut.
12.1-15).

Here,
all
of
Israel
would
offer
sacrifices
and
in
large
part
by
their
devotion
to
question
is
why
he
enjoy
regular
worship.

The
establishment
of
the
tabernacle
at
Shiloh
signaled
a
the
worship
of
Baal.

The
Semitic
new
day
in
Israel
and
pointed
forward
to
a
final
new
day
in
heaven.


word
Baal
means
"lord"
or
allows
any
idolatrous

"master"
and
the
Canaanites
Despite
this
new
dawn,
a
shadow
of
laxity
appeared
to
be
falling
among
the
believed
that
Baal
was
in
absolute
cultures
or
individuals

remaining
tribes
of
Israel.

Though
the
land
laid
“subdued”,
ready
for
Israel’s
control
over
nature
and
over
to
live
at
all.”

taking,
Joshua
question
of
how
long
they
will
“put
off”
going
into
taking
people.
They
believed
that
the
only
possession
of
the
land
evidences
their
apparent
unwillingness
to
settle
down.

god
who
was
superior
to
Baal
was
The
power
of
God
in
conquest
and
the
worship
of
God
at
Shiloh
was
only
the
his
father
El,
but
Baal
was
the
principal
deity
of
the
land.

Archeology
has
proven
beginning—the
land
must
still
be
possessed,
the
free
gift
taken.

He
gives
them
a
that
Baal
religious
practices
included
sex
worship,
commanded
religious
shove
in
the
right
direction,
sending
out
men
to
survey
the
land
and
return
with
prostitution,
incest,
and
other
forms
of
sexual
immorality,
as
well
as
human
descriptions.

After
writing
down
their
descriptions,
Joshua
submits
them
to
the
sacrifice.

The
Bible
records
their
zeal
for
sexual
perversion,
divination,
and
will
of
God
to
distribute
to
the
tribes
of
Benjamin,
Simeon,
Zebulun,
Issachar,
pagan
“hanky
panky”
(Lev.
18.24-25;
Deut.
18.12).

Though
God
could
have
Asher,
Naphtali,
and
Dan.

God,
not
Joshua,
gives
to
each
their
lot.


rightfully
destroyed
such
people
at
any
time,
he
decided
that
the
sin
had
come

to
its
climax
in
the
land,
just
as
He
will
at
the
end
of
the
age.
After
all
allotments
are
completed,
the
people
give
Joshua
a
personal
inheritance

by
command
of
the
LORD.

This
final
allotment
serves
as
a
noteworthy
end
to
a
larger
statement
about
God
that
records
the
promises
kept
to
the
two
faithful
The
Theology
of
Joshua
spies,
Caleb
and
Joshua
(Numbers
13-14).

In
it,
we
are
reminded
of
God’s

The
Purity
of
Worship
(A
Holy
War):

The
idea
of
Israel’s
“separateness”
faithfulness
to
His
chosen
people
despite
the
unfaithfulness
of
the
majority.

from
the
Canaanites
permeates
the
narrative.
They
are
the
family
of
God,

chosen
among
all
peoples
of
the
earth
to
be
set
apart
as
holy.

They
are
not
a
better
people
in
themselves,
rather,
they
are
special
because
God
has
graciously
chosen
to
set
his
love
on
them
(Deuteronomy
7.6-8).
The
conquest,
therefore,
begins
with
ceremonies
that
signify
their
distinction


LORD’S
ARMY

56
LORD’S
ARMY

13
from
the
sinful
culture
whose
land
they
will
inhabit.

Under
Joshua’s
Notes:
leadership,
the
people
were
to
keep
itself
and
the
land
undefiled
by
the

idolatry
that
currently
exists.

The
entire
book,
therefore,
should
be
viewed

less
as
secular
conflict,
and
more
as
a
Holy
God’s
commitment
to
fight
for

the
purity
of
worship.





The
Possession
of
the
Land
(Milk
and
Honey):

The
land
and
what
it

signifies,
however,
is
still
incredibly
important.

Deuteronomy
brings
the

narrative
to
the
edge
of
the
Promised
Land,
and
Joshua
records
the

conquest
of
the
Land—the
primary
objective
to
which
the
narrative
of
the

Pentateuch
led.

This
land
had
been
promised
to
Abraham,
and
later
to
his

sons
(Genesis
12.7;
13.14-15,17;
15.18-21;
17.8;
22.17;
26.3-4,
28.4).

The
land
is

often
described
as
“flowing
with
milk
and
honey”,
a
land
of
goodness,

beauty,
and
rest.


Spiritually,
the
land
points
to
our
own
final
rest
with
God,

where
we
hope
to
dwell
with
Him
free
from
our
own
enemies’
sin
and
death.

As
it
is,
the
land
is
God’s
gift
to
Israel,
but
it
is
God’s
land
used
for

His
glory.

Therefore,
the
land
is
part
of
the
Israel’s
identity,
a
nation
defined

by
God,
holding
to
physical
boundaries
set
by
God,
a
particular
form
of

government
led
by
God,
and
a
particular
way
of
living
given
by
God.

The

conquering,
holding,
and
prospering
in
the
land
are
explicitly
connected
with

obedience
to
God’s
ways.




Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
1. Read
Genesis
48.

What
does
the
experience
of
Manasseh
and
Ephraim

The
Promise
Kept
(Covenant):
The
book
of
Joshua
could
be
titled
“Promise
teach
you
about
God’s
ways?
Kept”
as
the
conquest
is
the
fulfillment
of
God’s
promise
to
Abraham

hundreds
of
years
earlier.

It
is
a
continuation,
a
new
chapter
in
the
same

story
that
began
in
Genesis
12
and
15.

As
the
narrative
begins,
Joshua
is
2. What
complaint
do
the
tribes
of
Ephraim
and
Manasseh
bring
to
Joshua?

reminded
of
the
original
promise
(1.6).

And,
before,
during,
and
after
the
What
do
you
think
the
true
motivation
was
behind
their
complaint?
total
conquest
there
are
several
“Covenant
Renewal”
ceremonies.

The
ark,

often
referred
to
as
the
“Ark
of
the
Covenant”,
comes
to
represent
the

covenant
itself—the
very
presence
of
the
God
who
is
faithful.



3. Why
don’t
the
tribes
of
Ephraim
and
Manasseh
want
to
take
the
land
of
the

forest?
(See
Deuteronomy
7.7-12).
Warfare
in
Joshua


Joshua
is
a
book
of
war.

Moses
and
the
Israelites
were
given
rules
regarding

waging
warfare
well
before
entering
the
Promised
Land.

Deuteronomy
20
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
explains
a
process
by
which
the
Israelites
are
to
approach
cities
and
offer
peace
1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
before
fighting.

If
the
cities
agree
to
surrender,
their
citizens
are
spared
by
living
during
this
sermon?
their
remaining
days
as
servants.

This
applies
only
to
cities
that
are
NOT
within

the
Promised
Land.
Cities
within
the
Promised
Land
are
dealt
with
entirely
2. Are
you
currently,
or
have
you
ever
been,
discontent
with
what
God
has
differently.


given
you?

What
idol
is
at
the
heart
of
your
discontentment?
How
is
this

16 undermining
the
gospel?

Deuteronomy
20.16-18
states,
“
But
in
the
cities
of
these
peoples
that
the
LORD

your
God
is
giving
you
for
an
inheritance,
you
shall
save
alive
nothing
that
3. How
does
Joshua’s
response
to
the
complaint,
and
the
accompanying
breathes,
17
but
you
shall
devote
them
to
complete
destruction,
the
Hittites
and
excuse,
inform
how
we
should
minister
to
the
complaints
of
others?
the
Amorites,
the
Canaanites
and
the
Perizzites,
the
Hivites
and
the
Jebusites,
as
18
the
LORD
your
God
has
commanded,

that
they
may
not
teach
you
to
do
4. What
fears
are
paralyzing
your
heart
from
enjoying
God
on
mission
right
according
to
all
their
abominable
practices
that
they
have
done
for
their
gods,
now?
What
do
you
fear
losing
most
right
now?

and
so
you
sin
against
the
LORD
your
God.”




LORD’S
ARMY

14
LORD’S
ARMY

55
THE
SPOILS
OF
WAR Week
20

Faithful
fulfillment
of
commands
such
as
this
make
the
record
of
Joshua
one
of
The
Appeal
the
most
controversial,
action-filled,
and
seemingly
blood-thirsty
books
of
the

Bible.

Commands
to
drive
out
the
Canaanites
also
cause
many
to
distance
Scripture:

Joshua
16-17
themselves
from
the
“Old
Testament
God
of
wrath”
and
gravitate
toward
the

more
loving
God
that
Jesus
appears
to
follow
in
the
New
Testament.

Verse
18
Key
Verse:
However,
they
did
not
drive
out
the
Canaanites…
Joshua
16.10
explains
God’s
brutality
toward
these
people
has
everything
to
do
with
the

purity
of
worship.

The
idolatry
actively
destroyed
by
God
in
the
Old
Testament
Summary:
is
just
as
explicitly
condemned
by
Jesus
and
the
apostles
in
the
New.

The
next
two
chapters
record
the
allotments
given
to
the
sons
of
Joseph—
Manasseh
and
Ephraim.

Birth
order
in
Israel
determined
which
son
would
That
is
because
Jesus
is
that
same
God.
It’s
clear
from
history
that
God
has
receive
the
birthright
blessing.

Even
though
Manasseh
was
born
before
Ephraim,
patiently
and
mercifully
given
everyone
more
than
enough
time
to
repent.

They
the
younger
brother
receives
priority
in
blessing.

Though
the
reason
for
this
refused,
and
God
used
Israel
to
bring
judgment
upon
a
deserving
people.

As
the
rests
with
God’s
sovereignty,
the
history
is
recorded
in
Genesis
48.

There,
Bible
teaches
that
everyone
is
born
sinful,
we
know
that
there
is
no
such
thing
Joseph
brings
the
two
boys
before
his
old
and
blind
father
Jacob
to
receive
a
as
a
“good”
or
“innocent”
man,
woman,
or
child.

Though
we
might
claim
God
to
blessing.

To
aid
his
sightless
father,
Joseph
places
Manasseh
in
front
of
his
right
be
“unfair”,
the
last
thing
we
want
is
a
“fair”
God
who
gives
us
all
what
we
in
hand
and
Ephraim
opposite
his
left.

But
Jacob,
crosses
his
arms
and
places
his
fact
deserve—death.

Instead,
we
have
a
merciful,
forgiving,
and
gracious
God
right
hand
of
blessing
on
Ephraim.

Though
Joseph
attempts
to
straighten
out
the
whose
patience
does
run
out
at
some
point
because
he
is
just
and
holy.
God’s
mistake,
Jacob
assures
his
son
that
he
knew
what
he
was
doing.


judgment
here
is
not
a
violation
of
the
6 th
commandment:
Thou
Shall
Not
Kill.

It

is
the
just
act
of
a
just
God,
justifiably,
enforcing
a
just
law.


So,
as
the
blessing
went,
the
allotment
goes.

Ephraim
is
first
to
receive
his
inheritance
(chapter
16)
and
Manasseh
is
blessed
second
(chapter
17).

They
are
both
given
one
allotment
that
is
divided
between
them,
one
in
the
North
and
the
other
in
the
South.

After
Manasseh’s
southern
allotment
is
given,
however,
both
tribes
approach
Joseph
with
a
complaint.

Their
discontent
hearts
are
veiled
in
logical
arguments
about
being
a
numerous
people
and
needing
more
land.

As
scholar
Walter
Kaiser
puts
it,
war
Without
apology,
Joshua
challenges
their
reasoning
by
instructing
them
to
take
more
land
from
the
enemy
with
all
the
people
they
have
(v.15).

Their
response
is
“God’s
ultimate,
but
reluctant,
only
reveals
their
discontent
and
fears
which
contrast
greatly
with
the
courage
method
of
treating
gross
evil
that
and
faith
of
Caleb.



resists
every
other
patient
and
loving
Though
the
two
half-tribes
of
Ephraim
and
Manasseh
make
a
detailed
argument
about
the
strength
of
the
enemy,
it
is
not
enough
to
convince
Joshua.

Their
rebuke
of
God.”

fears
echo
the
very
thing
that
Moses
warned
they
would
feel
before
ever
(Toward
Old
Testament
Ethics,
1983:178).
entering
the
land
(Deut.
7.7-12).

A
once
confident
army
of
the
LORD
has
degenerated
into
a
spineless
tribe
of
whiners.

Joshua
answers
their
fears
and
complaints
with
a
charge
to
have
faith
and
fight.

He
does
not
give
them
an
easier
alternative,
rather,
commands
them
to
drive
out
the
Canaanites
despite
the
apparent
odds.

LORD’S
ARMY

54
LORD’S
ARMY

15
THE
WARRIOR
&
THE
WAR


Week
1

Notes:
Introduction
to
Joshua




Scripture:

Genesis—Deuteronomy




Key
Verse:



Now
the
LORD
said
to
Abram,
go
from
your
country
and
your
kindred
and
your

father’s
house
to
the
land
that
I
will
show
you.

And
I
will
make
you
a
great

nation,
and
I
will
bless
you
and
make
your
name
great
so
that
you
will
be
a

blessing.

Genesis
12.1-2



Summary:


The
narrative
of
Joshua
begins
with
the
death
of
a
man
named
Moses.

The

story
that
is
told,
however,
begins
over
four
hundred
years
earlier
with
a
man

named
Abram.

In
Genesis
12,
by
grace,
God
calls
Abram
out
of
his
country
to
“a

land
I
will
show
you”
(Gen.
12.1-3).

Later,
God
makes
a
covenant
with
Abram,

whereby
he
promises
to
make
his
offspring
great
in
number
and
to
bless
the

world
through
a
promised
son.

He
is
also
told,
for
certain,
that
his
family
will

spend
four
hundred
years
afflicted
in
a
land
that
is
not
theirs.

Lastly,
God
tells

Abram
that
one
day
He
will
judge
the
nation
that
enslaved
them
and
his
Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
offspring
will
be
freed.

He
promises
that
Abram’s
offspring
will
finally

possess
a
1. Can
you
name
the
12
tribes
of
Israel?

Why
is
Judah
so
special
(See
Isaiah
land
of
their
own,
a
promised
land,
“…from
the
river
of
Egypt
to
the
great
river,
11.1;
Genesis
49.8-12)?
the
river
Euphrates,
the
land
of
the
Kenites,
the
Kenizzites,
the
Kadmonites,
the

Hittites,
the
Perizzites,
the
Rephaim,
the
Amorites,
the
Canaanites,
the

Girgashites,
and
the
Jebusites.”
(Gen.
15.1-21).

This
is
where
the
story
begins.
2. Read
Judges
3.7-11.

Who
is
Othneil?
How
might
this
event
have
impacted
his

future
role?
The
story
continues
through
the
first
five
books
of
the
Old
Testament

(Pentateuch),
recording
God’s
fulfillment
of
his
promises
to
Abraham,
his
son

Issac
and
his
grandson
Jacob.

As
foretold,
Jacob’s
sons
find
themselves
saved
by
3. Read
Numbers
33.55.

In
the
light
of
this
Scripture,
what
is
the
significance
then
enslaved
in
the
land
of
Egypt.

After
four
hundred
years,
God
raises
up
of
Joshua
15.63?


Moses
to
lead
his
people
to
the
Promised
Land.

Speaking
for
God,
Moses
tells

Israel:
“I
have
observed
you
and
what
has
been
done
to
you
in
Egypt,
and
I

promise
that
I
will
bring
you
out
of
the
affliction
of
Egypt
to
the
land
of
the
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
Canaanites…a
land
flowing
with
milk
and
honey.”
(Exodus
3.13-22).

God
1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
miraculously
and
powerfully
delivers
his
people
out
of
Egypt
and,
through
Moses,
during
this
sermon?
gives
them
His
Law.

The
story
of
Joshua
is
the
bridge
between
the
calling
of

God’s
people
to
be
worshippers
and
those
same
2. What
do
you
think
the
interaction
between
Achsah
and
Othneil
sounded
like
people
living
as
worshippers
in
the
world.
And
before
they
spoke
with
Caleb?

How
might
this
give
us
a
good
or
bad
while
Joshua
is
the
record
of
God’s
faithfulness
to
example
of
marital
conflict
resolution?
his
redeemed
people,
ironically,
it
reminds
men
of

their
need
for
a
Savior.

Beginning
with
the
death
3. If
you
have
children,
what
kind
of
man
or
woman
do
you
hope
they
will
of
Moses
reveals
to
us
how
far
the
Law
will
in
fact
marry?
Describe
the
ideal
future
spouse.
take
us.

And
while
the
Law
is
good
and
can
get

us
closer
to
God,
it
cannot
save.

We
need
4. The
chapter
is
basically
a
large
land
survey,
detailing
“boundaries”
for
“Yeshua”,
meaning
Jehovah
the
Savior
(Jesus),
to
people.

Why
do
you
think
God
sets
boundaries
as
opposed
to
living
as
a
enter
God’s
rest.


mosaic
of
people?

What
might
this
teach
us
about
boundaries
for
our

families?



LORD’S
ARMY

16
LORD’S
ARMY

53
THE
SPOILS
OF
WAR Week
19
Notes:
The
Borders



Scripture:

Joshua
15.1-63



Key
Verse:


This
is
the
boundary
around
the
people…

Joshua
15.12



Summary:

We
begin
this
somewhat
tedious
passage
of
Scripture
(the
longest
chapter
in

Joshua)
by
remembering
that
Paul
taught
“ all
Scripture
is
profitable.”


In

essence
it
is
a
list
with
a
lot
of
names
and
locations.

Chapter
15
records
the

inheritance
allotted
to
Judah,
including
a
repeat
of
what
was
given
to
Caleb,
as

well
as
the
description
of
the
land’s
boundaries.





The
record
also
includes
a
brief
account
concerning
Caleb’s
victory
over
the

three
sons
(chiefs)
of
Anak.

As
part
of
the
possession
of
his
family’s
inheritance,

Caleb
offers
the
hand
of
his
daughter
in
marriage
to
the
man
who
conquers
the

city
of
Debir
(similar
to
what
Saul
offered
for
defeating
Goliath).

Caleb’s
Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
younger
brother,
Othneil,
who
will
one
day
save
Israel
as
the
first
judge
(Judges
1. Read
the
Introduction
to
this
study
(pgs.
7-13).

What
most
interests
or
3.7-11),
captures
Debir:
“ the
city
of
the
book”.

After
Achsah
is
taken
to
her
new
concerns
you
about
this
book?

What
questions
do
you
already
have?
home
by
her
faith,
she
urges
her
new
husband
to
ask
her
father
for
a
field.


Either
he
refuses
or
agrees
it
is
best
for
her
to
make
the
request,
and
she
does.

2. When
does
the
story
of
Joshua
begin?
What
is
the
story
about?
She
reverently
asks
for
a
blessing
of
water
in
addition
to
what
she
has
received

as
a
gift
for
her
marriage.
He
agrees,
and
in
addition
to
the
barren
land
of
Negeb,
3. Read
Numbers
13-14.10
&
Numbers
14.28-33.

Why
weren’t
the
people
he
gives
her
the
adjoining
land
with
springs
of
water.

One
can
learn
much
about
allowed
to
enter
the
Promised
Land?

What
two
men,
of
that
generation,
young
leaders,
marital
relations,
even
parenting
from
this
short
encounter.

did
get
to
enter?


Read
Numbers
20.1-13
&
27.12-14.
Why
wasn’t
Moses

allowed
to
enter
the
Promised
Land?
It
is
noteworthy
that
Judah
is
the
first
territory
that
is
described
west
of
the

Jordan.

This
tribe
plays
a
significant
role
in
the
overall
story
of
redemption
as
it
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
is
from
this
tribe
that
the
messiah
will
come.

Yet,
with
as
much
blessing
as
the
1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
specific
boundaries
tangibly
represent,
verse
63
ends
declaring
that
Judah
also
during
this
sermon?
failed
to
drive
out
all
of
the
evil
inhabitants
of
the
land.

This
failure
reminds
the

reader
that
the
ultimate
fulfillment
of
God’s
promises
was
not
complete,
2. Read
Deuteronomy
34
about
Moses’
death.

How
does
it
make
you
feel
that
providing
a
sense
of
“ now
but
not
yet”
sense
to
living
within
God’s
kingdom
that
Moses
was
not
allowed
to
enter
the
land?

Why
do
you
feel
this
way?
will
be
even
more
realized
at
Jesus
first
coming,
but
fully
realized
when
He

returns
a
second
time
in
glory.


3. Read
2Peter
3.8-9.
Why
is
it
hard
to
believe
and
live
in
God’s
promises?


What
promises
are
most
difficult
to
believe
for
you
right
now?







4. The
death
of
Moses
teaches
us
not
about
the
weakness
of
the
Law,
but

about
the
inability
of
men
to
worship
God
in
all
purity.

How
does
Law
help,

but
ultimately
fail,
to
lead
us
into
God’s
presence?





5. How
does
viewing
Joshua
as
a
book
about
the
purity
of
worship
(instead
of

a
book
of
war)
impact
your
approach
to
it?

LORD’S
ARMY

52
LORD’S
ARMY

17
THE
WARRIOR
&
THE
WAR
Week
2

Notes:
The
Man




Scripture:

Joshua
1.1-9



Key
Verse:



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.

This
Book
of
the

Law
shall
not
depart
from
your
mouth,
but
you
shall
meditate
on
it
day
and

night,
so
that
you
may
be
careful
to
do
according
to
all
that
is
written
in
it.

For

then
you
will
make
your
way
prosperous,
and
then
you
will
have
good
success.


Joshua
1.7-8



Summary:


Joshua
was
not
always
a
General,
but
he
was
always
a
leader.

Unlike
his

predecessor
Moses,
we
do
not
have
a
complete
record
of
Joshua’s
life
from
birth

to
burial.

Nevertheless,
the
Scriptures
do
give
us
some
history
into
the
young

man
who
became
a
General.

We’re
first
introduced
to
Joshua
in
the
book
of

Exodus
where
he
is
chosen
by
Moses
to
lead
Israel’s
first
battle
in
what
seems

like
days
after
crossing
the
Red
Sea.

Joshua
does
as
Moses
instructs
and
Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
immediately
establishes
himself
as
Moses’
right
hand
man.

It
was
Joshua
who
1. Read
Numbers
13-14.

What
are
your
impressions
of
Caleb?
walked
up
the
mountain
with
Moses.

It
was
Joshua
who
comes
down
to
see

Israel
worshipping
a
golden
calf
with
Moses.

It
is
Joshua
who
sat
at
the
tent
of

meeting
when
Moses
spoke
with
God.

Before
sending
Joshua
in
to
spy
out
the
2. What
request
does
Caleb
make?

Why
does
the
LORD
bless
Caleb?
land
with
11
other
guys,
Moses
changes
his
name
from
Hoshea
(salvation)
to

Joshua
(the
Lord
is
salvation).

It
is
here
that
begins
the
transition
from
Moses’

assistant
to
the
man
of
God
who
would
replace
his
pastor,
mentor,
and
friend.


Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
Through
the
wanderings
of
a
faithless
people,
Joshua
remains
faithful—a
man’s
1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
whose
faith
was
defined
by
action,
not
simply
words.



during
this
sermon?


Now,
Joshua
has
big
shoes
to
fill.

And
as
despairing
nation
mourns
the
passing
2. Consider
Caleb’s
example
in
Numbers
13-14.

Why
is
it
so
tempting
to
seek
of
their
great
leader,
the
promises
of
God
are
all
but
forgotten
by
Israel.


While
the
approval
of
men?

What
is
so
dangerous
about
this?
God
uses
men
to
lead
his
people
on
mission,
the
success
of
his
mission
is
never

dependent
upon
men.


Just
as
He
exalted
Moses,
God
promises
to
exalt
Joshua.


3. Often
times
we
put
faith
in
having
enough
faith
and
not
in
the
word
of
God.

Joshua’s
success
is
not
predicated
on
his
experience,
odds,
or
position—but
on
What
does
Caleb
appeal
to
as
he
makes
a
request
to
Joshua?

How
might
his
faithfulness
to
God’s
Word.

God
says
that
IF
he
is
faithful,
he
will
succeed.

using
God’s
Word
this
way
change
how
we
act
or
pray?
At
the
same
time,
Joshua
is
told
to
be
“strong
and
courageous”
because
what
he

knows
in
his
heart
and
soul
about
God’s
4. Do
you
have
a
relative
or
good
friend
who
set
an
example
of
faithfulness
for
faithfulness
will
be
tested
by
what
he
sees
your
family
in
the
past?
Share
who
it
is
with
your
group?

How
do
you
feel
with
his
eyes.

about
your
legacy
of
faithfulness?





5. Does
the
mission
of
God
have
an
age
limit?

Are
you
still
on
mission?
How

has
or
will
your
mission
change…but
continue?







LORD’S
ARMY

18
LORD’S
ARMY

51
THE
SPOILS
OF
WAR Week
18
Notes:
The
Lone
Soldier



Scripture:

Joshua
14.1-15



Key
Verse:


…my
brothers
who
went
up
with
me
made
the
heart
of
the
people
melt;
yet
I

wholly
followed
the
LORD
my
God.
And
Moses
swore
on
that
day,
saying,

“Surely
the
land
on
which
your
foot
has
trodden
shall
be
an
inheritance
for
you

and
your
children
forever,
because
you
have
wholly
followed
the
LORD
my
God.”

Joshua
14.8-9



Summary:

This
chapter
focuses
on
an
85
year
old
man
of
faith
named
Caleb.

When
Caleb

was
a
young
sprite
of
40,
Moses
sent
him
along
with
12
other
men
to
spy
out

the
land
of
Canaan
(Numbers
13-14).

When
the
group
returned,
a
faithless

majority
reported
that
Canaan
was
full
of
giant
men
(Sons
of
Anak)
who
were
Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
too
big
and
powerful
for
them
to
conquer.

Two
spies,
of
which
Caleb
was
one
1. Read
the
following
Scriptures.

What
kind
of
man
was
Joshua?
What
(Joshua
was
the
other),
took
the
minority
position.

Caleb
expressed
a
trust
in
experiences
uniquely
prepared
Joshua
for
leadership?


the
power
and
faithfulness
of
God
to
take
the
land.

His
refusal
to
appeal
to
the
- Exodus
17.8-16
approval
of
men
led
to
both
isolation
and
blessing.

Because
the
people
Exodus
24.11-13
grumbled
against
Caleb’s
faithful
report,
God
curses
an
entire
generation.

Yet,
- God
promises
that
Caleb
and
his
family
will
possess
the
land
he
spied
out
- Exodus
32.17
because
“has
a
different
spirit
and
has
followed
me
fully”
(Numbers.
14.24).


- Exodus
33.7-11

- Numbers
11.24-29
45
years
later,
Caleb
approaches
his
friend,
and
leader,
Joshua
to
make
claim
on
- Numbers
13.1-33
the
promises
of
God.

Caleb
requests
the
land
that
had
been
promised
him,
- Numbers
14.1-10
referencing
the
word
of
God
spoken
to
him
five
different
times.

His
faith
is
not
- Numbers
27.15-23
based
on
feelings
or
a
sense
of

entitlement;
it
is
rooted
in
the

Word
of
God.

As
he
speaks
God’s
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
own
words
to
Joshua
concerning
1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
his
promised
blessing,
he
also
during
this
sermon?
recognizes
with
all
gratitude,
the

blessings
that
have
kept
him
a
2. Why
does
God
warn
Joshua
to
“Be
Strong
and
Courageous”
three
different
vigorous
85
year
old.


Confident
in
times
in
the
first
nine
verses?

How
can
we
understand
this
in
light
of
verse
the
strength
the
LORD
has
given
5?
him,
he
declares
his
intention
to

lead
the
charge
in
driving
out
the
3. Why
do
you
think
that
Scripture
does
not
provide
a
“back
story”
for
Joshua
Giant
Anakim
that
had
melted
the
like
it
does
for
Moses?

What
might
this
tell
us
about
our
own
back
stories?
hearts
of
Israel
45
years
earlier.


Joshua
blesses
him
and
grants
him
4. Compare
Joshua
Chapter
1
with
Psalm
1.

What
does
a
successful
life
his
inheritance
and
Caleb
gives
Israel
an
example
of
unbreakable
faith
in
the
pleasing
to
God
look
like?


How
does
this
conflict
with
the
world’s
sovereignty
of
God,
and
an
uncompromising
commitment
to
mission,
to
which
all
definitions?

How
might
it
challenge
your
own?

other
tribes
will
be
compared
(Joshua
15.13-19)



5. Why
is
it
dangerous
to
polarize
the
mission
of
God’s
people
around
one

leader?

How
can
churches
work
against
this
tendency?



LORD’S
ARMY

50
LORD’S
ARMY

19


THE
WARRIOR
&
THE
WAR Notes:
Week
3


The
People




Scripture:

Joshua
1.10-19



Key
Verse:



Just
as
we
obeyed
Moses
in
all
things,
so
we
will
obey
you.

Only
may
the
LORD

your
God
be
with
you,
as
he
was
with
Moses!

Whoever
rebels
against
your

commandment
and
disobeys
your
words,
whatever
you
command
him,
shall
be

put
to
death.
Only
be
strong
and
courageous.

Joshua
1.17-18





Summary:


God
begins
his
mission
by
calling
a
man
to
lead
other
men
on
mission.


Immediately
after
God
commissions
Joshua,
the
newly
appointed
leader

immediately
begins
to
lead
God’s
people.

He
commands
the
officers
to
prepare

to
cross
the
Jordan
and
take
possession
of
the
land.

For
39
years,
the
only

moving
these
people
have
done
is
to
run
circles
in
the
wilderness.

Now,
they

are
preparing
to
see
God
fulfill
his
promise
of
“a
land”
to
Abraham.




Numbers
32
records
how
several
of
Israelite’s
tribes
already
received
their
Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
portion
of
the
land
East
of
the
Jordan.

It
would
be
tempting
for
them
to
remain
1. Why
does
God
ask
Joshua
to
divide
the
inheritance
at
this
time?
in
the
safety
of
their
possession
while
their
brothers
enter
the
war
zone.

Joshua

speaks
directly
to
these
tribes
reminding
them
of
their
responsibility
to

participate
in
the
fight
for
the
whole
of
the
land.

These
men
of
war
will
fight
2. What
comforting
promises
does
God
give
to
the
tribes
in
verse
6?
with
all
of
Israel
until
God
gives
them
“rest”
and
only
then
shall
they
return
to

their
families.

It
is
here
that
the
Scriptures
emphasize
the
importance
of
unity

among
God’s
people
on
fighting
beside
one
another
against
a
common
enemy
3. Why
do
you
think
the
people
“did
not
drive
out”
some
of
the
evil
in
their
with
a
common
leadership
and
a
common
purpose.

midst?
(See
verse
13).



The
people
declare
their
allegiance
to
Joshua’s
command
with
one
voice.


Though
Moses
has
died,
the
response
of
the
people
demonstrates
their
faith
that
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
God’s
mission
continues,
that
God’s
presence
will
go
with
them,
that
God’s
Word
1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
will
guide
them
if
their
leadership
is
“strong
and
courageous.”

during
this
sermon?



2. Even
though
you
are
part
of
a
church
with
a
stated
mission,
do
you
have
a

sense
of
your
own
personal
mission?
What
is
it?



3. Verse
13
indicates
some
waning
of
vigilance
in
Israel’s
fight
against
sin
and

for
God?


When
does
our
fight
end?

How
can
we
maintain
this
attitude?



4. Read
Psalm
73.26;
142.5.

In
what
ways
do
we
often
prize
the
LORD’S
gifts

more
than
the
LORD
himself?

How
can
we
work
to
avoid
this?

LORD’S
ARMY

20
LORD’S
ARMY

49
THE
SPOILS
OF
WAR Week
17
Notes:
The
Inheritance



Scripture:

Joshua
13.1-33



Key
Verse:


Now
Joshua
was
old
and
advanced
in
years,
and
the
LORD
said
to
him,
“You
are

old
and
advanced
in
years,
and
there
remains
yet
very
much
land
to
possess….I

myself
will
drive
them
out
from
before
the
people
of
Israel.
Only
allot
the
land
to

Israel
for
an
inheritance,
as
I
have
commanded
you.

Now
therefore
divide
this

land
for
an
inheritance
to
the
nine
tribes
and
half
the
tribe
of
Manasseh.

Joshua

13.1,
6b-7



Summary:

With
the
closure
of
the
northern
campaign,
chapter
13
begins
the
third
major

section
of
the
record
of
Joshua—division
of
the
land.

As
the
bloody
record
of

brutality
and
warfare
comes
to
a
close,
we
enter
the
ever-exciting
section
on

land
surveys.

If
not
approached
with
the
attitude
of
an
Israelite,
we
can
easily

run
through
these
chapters
and
learn
nothing.

These
verses
describe
his

inheritance.




Practically,
Joshua
records
how
the
spoils
of
war
are
divided
among
the
9
½

tribes
who
did
not
receive
an
inheritance
on
the
East
of
the
Jordan.

The
LORD

tells
Joshua
that
he
is
getting
old
and
that
there
are
many
more
lands
to
occupy
Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
in
order
to
completely
possess
it.

The
LORD
would
continue
to
lead
each
1. Read
Joshua
1.9
from
the
previous
section.

Where
does
Joshua’s
immediate
individual
tribe
as
they
cleaned
out
their
respective
allotments
and
fully
sense
of
“confidence
to
command”
come
from?
occupied
them.

Still
led
by
God,
the
tribes
would
assume
smaller
missions,
in

their
own
unique
parts
of
the
land,
as
part
of
the
same
overall
mission
of
2. Read
Numbers
32.

What
were
the
names
of
the
tribes
whose
inheritance
conquest.



was
east
of
the
Jordan?



As
the
possession
east
of
the
Jordan
is
3. Why
does
Joshua
address
them
directly
apart
from
the
rest
of
the
tribes?
described,
the
first
signs
of
Israel’s
failure
What
excuses
might
they
be
tempted
to
use?
to
fulfill
their
mission
surfaces
(v.13).

It


seems
that,
the
receipt
of
their

inheritances
make
them
less
vigilant
and
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
more
comfortable.

Though
they
were
1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
faithful
in
the
crisis
of
war,
their
complete
during
this
sermon?
obedience
has
been
threatened
in
peace

and
prosperity.

Nevertheless,
as
the
2. Though
God
has
made
a
promise,
fulfillment
of
that
promise
requires
action
inheritances
are
detailed
for
the
various
on
the
part
of
the
Israelites.

How
is
this
a
picture
of
our
own
relationship
tribes,
the
record
is
full
of
historical
with
God
and
his
promises
to
us?
allusions,
reminding
Israel
of
the
past

victories
that
made
their
possession
3. Do
you
feel
a
sense
of
unity
with
the
people
of
Damascus
Road
Church?

Do
possible.

Ironically,
the
passage
ends
(v.33)
by
reminding
Israel
and
all
who
you
feel
a
sense
of
shared
mission?
Why
or
why
not?

would
read
this
record,
that
land
itself
is
little
more
than
dirt.

While
it
does

represent
a
promise
kept
by
God,
it
is
the
LORD
himself,
apart
from
the
land,
4. What
excuses
do
you
use
most
often
to
justify
your
refusal
to
fight
for
which
represents
the
true
prize.
another
member
of
your
community?




LORD’S
ARMY

48
LORD’S
ARMY

21

THE
WARRIOR
&
THE
WAR

Week
4

Notes:
The
Reconnaissance



Scripture:

Joshua
2.1-24



Key
Verse:


,,”I
know
that
the
LORD
has
given
you
the
land,
and
that
the
fear
of
you
has

fallen
upon
us,
and
that
all
the
inhabitants
of
the
land
melt
away
before
you.


For
we
have
heard
how
the
LORD
dried
up
the
water
of
the
Red
Sea
before
you

when
you
came
out
of
Egypt,
and
what
you
did
to
the
two
kinds
of
the
Amorites

who
were
beyond
the
Jordan,
to
Sihon
and
Og,
whom
you
devoted
to

destruction.

And
as
soon
as
we
heart
it,
our
hearts
melted,
and
there
was
no

spirit
left
in
any
man
because
of
you,
for
the
LORD
your
God
he
is
God
in
the

heavens
above
and
on
the
earth
beneath.”

Joshua
2.9-11



Summary:


The
2 nd
chapter
of
Joshua
centers
on
the
helpful
actions
of
a
Canaanite
harlot

named
Rahab
living
in
the
city
of
Jericho.


In
preparing
for
battle,
Joshua
sends

two
men
to
spy
out
the
land
and
the
city
itself.

As
it
is
not
unusual
to
see

foreign
men
enter
the
home
of
the
town
whore,
the
two
spies
decide
to
lodge
Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
with
Rahab
for
the
night.

It
is
only
a
matter
of
time
before
the
King
hears
of
the
1. Read
Numbers
21.21-35.

Why
did
Moses
battle
against
Sihon
and
Og?
spies,
so
he
sends
men
to
Rahab’s
house
to
investigate.

Rahab
protects
the

“enemy”
spies
by
lying
about
the
identify
of
her
visitors,
and
sending
the
King’s

men
on
a
wild
goose
chase
in
pursuit
of
the
men
who
are
hiding
on
her
roof.

2. What
two
tribes
received
the
inheritance
on
the
East
side
of
the
Jordan?


When
the
danger
subsides,
Rahab
speaks
with
the
men
about
what
she
has

heard
concerning
the
God
of
Israel.

She
explains
how
the
news
of
their
Exodus
3. What
do
you
think
are
some
different
reasons
to
include
a
list
of
all
of
the
from
Egypt
and
their
victories
on
the
East
side
of
the
Jordan
melted
the
hearts
conquered
kings?
of
all
of
the
people.

In
the
heart
of
this
young
broken
woman,
however,
a
spirit

of
faith
had
been
born
at
report
of
God’s
mighty
works.
Sadly,
it
is
common
for

people
to
get
preoccupied
with
the
lie
this
pagan
prostitute
tells
to
the
King’s
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
men
as
opposed
to
the
truth
about
God
she
declares
to
God’s
men.

The
1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
conversion
of
this
“shady
lady”,
her
confession
of
God’s
character,
her
expressed
during
this
sermon?
desire
to
take
refuge
in
Him
from
the
coming
wrath
is
at
the
heart
of
genuine

faith.


2. Are
there
groups
within
Christianity
that
you
lack
a
sense
of
kinship
with?

Arminians?
Charismatics?
Fundamentalists?
How
can
we
avoid
letting
the
The
placement
of
chapter
two
is
strange.

It
is
inserted
between
chapters
one
Jordan
divide
different
people
within
our
one
church?



where
Joshua
receives
the
command
to
cross

the
Jordan
and
chapter
three
where
he
3. Why
is
it
often
easier
to
make
supplication
versus
express
gratitude
to
God?

actually
does.
Through
this
awkward
but
Why
is
it
important
to
avoid
vague
non-specific
prayers
like,
“Thank
you
for
deliberate
pause
in
the
narrative,
the
writer
your
many
blessings,”?

How
does
this
passage
teach
us
to
pray/praise?
reveals
a
God
who
is
not
only
powerful

enough
to
melt
hearts
by
his
wrath,
but
one
4. Who
or
what
is
on
your
list
of
defeated
enemies?
Make
a
written
record
of
powerful
enough
to
redeem
the
most
broken
the
specific
blessings,
particular
moments
of
grace,
and
clear-cut
victories
of
hearts
in
order
to
save
(Matt
1.5).
that
you
have
experienced
in
the
past—then
express
thankfulness
to
God.


Do
this
as
a
group
or
as
an
individual.





LORD’S
ARMY

22
LORD’S
ARMY

47

Notes:
THE
NORTHERN
WAR Week
16

The
Conquered



Scripture:

Joshua
12.1-24



Key
Verse:


Now
these
are
the
kings
of
the
land
whom
the
people
of
Israel
defeated
and

took
possession
of
their
land
beyond
the
Jordan
toward
the
sunrise,
from
the

Valley
of
the
Arnon
to
Mount
Hermon,
with
all
Arabah
eastward…And
these
are

the
kings
of
the
land
who
Joshua
and
the
people
of
Israel
defeated
on
the
west

side
of
the
Jordan.

Joshua
12.1,
7



Summary:

Chapter
12
summarizes
the
entire
conquest
of
both
Moses
and
Joshua
on
both

sides
of
the
Jordan.

The
first
six
verses
review
the
lands
conquered
East
of
the

Jordan
under
Moses—the
lands
once
possessed
by
Sihon,
king
of
Heshbon,
and

Og,
king
of
Bashan
(Numbers
21.21-35).

The
last
18
verses
record
the
31
kings

conquered
under
the
leadership
of
Joshua.




Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
Passages
with
lists,
like
genealogies,
are
often
ignored
by
readers
of
the
Old
1. Read
the
beginnings
of
chapter
one
and
chapter
three.

Why
do
you
think
Testament.

The
tedious
structure
of
the
passages
makes
it
difficult
to
find
chapter
two
is
placed
here?
devotional
value.

Before
skimming
through
these
verses,
we
must
consider
why

the
Holy
Spirit
felt
it
necessary
to
include
this
information.

Remembering
the
2. What
have
you
ever
heard
of
Rahab?
Read
Hebrews
11.31
and
James
2.25,
conquest
of
Moses,
prior
to
the
entrance
into
the
Promised
Land,
helps
to
what
does
the
New
Testament
appear
to
emphasize
about
Rahab?
preserve
unity
in
identity
and
mission
among
God’s
people.

Moreover,
the
tribes

on
the
Eastern
side
of
the
Jordan
will,
at
some
point,
return
home.

When
they

do,
they
mustn’t
be
considered
“less”
or
“different”,
but
members
of
the
same
3. Read
Matthew
1.5.

What
role
did
Rahab
play
in
the
history
of
our
faith?

family.

Does
this
surprise
you?

Why
or
why
not?


The
second
half
of
the
chapter,
listing
31
kings
in
detail,
demonstrates
God’s

faithfulness
to
his
promise.

Reformer
John
Calvin
notes:

But
though
each
of
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
those
now
summarily
mentioned
was
previous
given
more
detail,
there
is
a
good
1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
reason
for
placing
before
our
eyes
as
it
were
a
living
picture
of
the
goodness
of
during
this
sermon?
God,
proving
there
had
been
a
complete
ratification
and
performance
of
the

covenant
made
with
Abraham
as
given
in
the
words,
‘Unto
thy
seed
I
will
give
2. According
to
Joshua
2.10
what
is
the
basis
of
Rahab’s
faith?

Why
is
it
this
land.’
(Genesis
12.7;
13.15;
20.18).

important
that
our
faith
remains
focused
here?

What
is
the
danger
if
it

doesn’t?


In
essence,
the
list
of
kings
is
an
expression
of
gratitude
for
grace.

Expressing

our
thankfulness
for
specific
blessings,
particular
moments
of
grace,
and
definite
3. Compare
Hebrews
11.1
and
Joshua
2.14,
the
men
say
“WHEN”
not
“IF”
the
acts
of
mercy,
will
always
build
our
faith. LORD
gives
us
the
land.

Where
are
you
struggling
to
have
this
kind
of
attitude
in
your
life
right
now?

4. What
does
the
conversion
of
Rahab,
a
Canaanite
prostitute,
teach
us
about
the
salvation
of
God?

How
does
this
story
bring
you
comfort
OR
challenge
you?



LORD’S
ARMY

46
LORD’S
ARMY

23
FROM
WANDERERS
TO
WARR IORS
Week
5


The
Crossing

Notes:


Scripture:

Joshua
3.1-17



Key
Verse:


And
Joshua
said,
“Here
is
how
you
shall
know
that
the
living
God
is
among
you

and
that
he
will
without
fail
drive
out
from
before
you
the
Canaanites,
the

Hittites,
the
Hivites,
the
Perizzites,
the
Girgashites,
the
Amorites,
and
the

Jebusites.

Behold,
the
ark
of
the
covenant
of
the
Lord
of
all
the
earth
is
passing

over
before
you
into
the
Jordan.

Joshua
3.10-11



Summary:


Following
Joshua’s
command
from
chapter
1,
after
three
days,
the
officers
go

through
the
camp
and
prepare
the
people
to
move.
The
Ark
of
the
Covenant

plays
a
central
role
throughout
the
crossing
into
the
land.

Over
the
next
two

chapters,
the
Ark
is
mentioned
seventeen
times,
reminding
the
reader
of
God’s

active
presence
throughout
the
narrative.





The
LORD
commands
that
the
crossing
be
led
by
the
Ark
of
the
Covenant,

carried
by
the
Levitical
priests,
walking
over
a
half
of
a
mile
ahead
of
the
people.

Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
Before
Israel
begins
moving,
they
“consecrate”
themselves
with
what
were
1. Why
does
the
writer
spend
a
significant
amount
of
time
(vs.
1-5)
detailing
likely
some
sort
of
physical
washings
that
symbolized
holiness.

They
are
the
size
and
scope
of
the
enemy?

How
does
this
impact
your
view
of
the
preparing
to
see
God
“do
wonders”,
the
same
verbiage
used
to
describe
the
battle?
plagues
poured
out
on
Egypt.

The
command
echoes
a
similar
one
given
by
God

before
the
giving
of
the
Law
at
Mt.
Sinai
in
Exodus
19.

As
God
begins
to
“exalt”

Joshua
before
the
people,
just
as
He
did
with
Moses,
a
series
of
events
2. Was
the
surprise
attack
in
verses
6-9
Joshua’s
idea
or
God’s?

Why
do
you
patterned
after
the
Exodus
experience
emerges.


think
he
acted
this
way?


Carried
by
the
Levitical
priests,
the
Ark
of
the
Covenant
leads
the
way
into
the

Jordan.

At
this
time,
the
Jordan
River
is
as
large
as
it
ever
is
with
banks
3. What
commands
did
Joshua
follow
perfectly?
(Read
Ex.
34.11-16;
Numbers.
overflowing.

This
seasonal
river
is
most
likely
at
least
a
mile
wide
and
a
raging
33.51-54;
Deut.
20.16-18).


torrent
this
time
of
the
year.

God’s
timing
is
never
“ideal”
in
the
eyes
of
men,

but
always
perfectly
suited
to
maximize
His
glory.

Miraculously,
as
soon
as
the

soles
of
the
Levitical
priests
carrying
the
Ark
are
dipped
in
the
water,
the
river
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
stops
and
dry
land
is
exposed.

The
people
cross
over
on
dry
land
before
the
1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
presence
of
God
which
stands
in
the
midst
of
the
Jordan.



during
this
sermon?



2. What
does
Joshua’s
surprise
attack
suggest
about
man’s
ingenuity
in

relationship
to
God’s
sovereignty?

In
other
words,
how
does
God’s

sovereignty
empower
and
not
paralyze
human
effort?



3. Apart
from
God’s
grace,
how
do/did
we
behave
like
the
King
of
Hazor
in
our

response
to
God
and
his
people?
What
changes
us?

Read
Romans
9.10-18.





4. How
does
the
brutality
of
this
chapter
make
you
feel?

What
might
you
say
to
someone
who
rejects
such
a
barbaric
God?
(See
Romans
3.9-23).



LORD’S
ARMY

24
LORD’S
ARMY

45
THE
NORTHERN
WAR Week
15
Notes:
Final
Combat



Scripture:

Joshua
11.1-23



Key
Verse:


So
Joshua
took
the
whole
land,
according
to
all
that
the
LORD
had
spoken
to

Moses.

And
Joshua
gave
it
for
an
inheritance
to
Israel
according
to
their
tribal

allotments.

And
the
land
had
rest
from
war.

Joshua
11.23





Summary:

The
northern
military
campaign
begins
the
same
as
the
southern
did,
in
response

to
an
attack.

When
the
King
of
Hazor
hears
news
of
Israel’s
Southern
Conquest,

like
the
king
of
Jerusalem
before
him,
he
sends
to
the
other
kings
in
the
land.


The
kings
agree
to
join
forces
and
amass
their
state-of-the-art
equipped
troops

together
to
attack
Israel
at
the
waters
of
Merom,
just
north
of
Palestine.





As
soon
as
this
massive
force
is
gathered
against
Israel,
the
LORD
reassures

Joshua.

God
desires
for
Israel
to
be
secure
in
Him
alone,
not
in
their
strength
or
Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
the
apparent
strength
of
their
enemy.

The
very
thing
that
the
enemy
might
1. What
is
the
Ark
of
the
Covenant
and
what
do
ALL
of
its
different
names
tell
boast
in,
and
they
might
fear,
He
promises
to
destroy.

He
guarantees
that
the
us
about
it?

(1Sa
3:3;
2Ch
6:41;
Ps
132:8;
Nu
10:33.
Ex
30:6;
Nu
7:89.)

horses
of
their
enemies
will
have
their
tendons
cut
and
the
chariots
they
pull
will

be
burned.

Having
received
divine
assurance,
Joshua
acts
immediately
in
faith

and
springs
a
surprise
attack
routing
the
enemy
and
laying
waste
to
all
of
their
2. How
far
behind
the
Ark
does
God
command
the
people
to
stay?

Why?
people,
“….every
man
they
struck
with
the
edge
of
the
sword
until
they
had

destroyed
them,
and
they
did
not
leave
any
who
breathed.”


Hazor,
like
Jericho,

is
burned
to
the
ground.

3. Compare
Exodus
19
to
Joshua
3.5.

Why
do
the
people
consecrate

themselves?
Joshua
then
proceeds
to
take
all
of
the
land
once
held
by
these
northern
kings.

Following
God’s
command,
he
kills
all
of
them,
making
“ war
a
long
time.”


Though
it
is
not
graphic,
this
section
of
Joshua
represents
one
of
the
most
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
violent
passages
in
Scripture.

Throughout
the
battles,
the
writer
focuses
on
1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
Joshua’s
role
as
God’s
servant,
faithfully
following
God’s
commands
(v.
15).

The
during
this
sermon?
emphasis
is
not
on
his
brutality,
but
his

obedience.

His
success
is
not
measured
2. Read
Joshua
3.4.

Why
do
you
think
God
instructs
the
Levitical
priests
to
by
the
size
of
his
army,
the
cleverness
of
stay
so
far
ahead?

How
does
this
play
out
in
our
Christian
life?
his
strategies,
or
the
record
of
victories.


Joshua’s
record
is
one
that
evidences
his
3. How
do
you
“prepare”
yourself
for
the
practice
of
public
worship?

If
we
are
faithfulness
to
God’s
Word,
especially
in
not
in
awe
of
coming
into
the
presence
of
the
living
God
(esp.
in
public
chaotic
situations
when
disobedience
may
worship),
is
it
because
we
have
not
prepared
ourselves
to
see
him
as
such?
appear
to
be
a
justifiable
alternative.

(Also,
do
we
only
look
to
him
for
the
BIG
miracles
and
ignore
the
daily


ones?)



4. According
to
the
parenthetical
in
Joshua
3.15,
the
river
conditions
of
the

Jordan
are
terrible.

Why
do
you
think
God
chooses
to
cross
the
river
at
this

time?

What
might
that
reveal
about
our
God
and
his
ways?



LORD’S
ARMY

44
LORD’S
ARMY

25
FROM
WANDERERS
TO
WARRIORS Week
6

The
Memorial
Notes:


Scripture:

Joshua
4.1-24



Key
Verse:




And
those
twelve
stones,
which
they
took
out
of
the
Jordan,
Joshua
set
up
at

Gilgal.

And
he
said
to
the
people
of
Israel,
“When
your
children
ask
their
fathers

in
time
to
come,
‘What
do
these
stones
mean?’
then
you
shall
let
your
children

know,
‘Israel
passed
over
the
Jordan
on
dry
ground.
For
the
LORD
your
God
dried

up
the
waters
of
the
Jordan
for
you
until
you
passed
over,
as
the
LORD
your
God

did
to
the
Red
Sea,
which
he
dried
up
for
us
until
we
passed
over…’”
Joshua

4.20-23



Summary:



Chapter
four
focuses
on
memorializing
the
grace
and
goodness
of
God.

After

the
nation
of
Israel
has
finished
crossing
the
Jordan,
the
LORD
instructs
Joshua

to
select
12
men,
one
from
each
tribe,
who
will
select
12
stones
from
the
bottom

of
the
Jordan
River.

Joshua
follows
God’s
command
and
the
men,
once
again,

walk
before
the
presence
of
God
into
the
Jordan.

There,
they
each
take
a
stone

and
carry
it
with
them
to
Gilgal
where
all
Israel
will
camp.

Before
the
priests

carry
the
Ark
completely
from
the
midst
of
the
Jordan,
Joshua
himself
sets
up
12
Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
different
stones
where
the
feet
of
the
priests
had
stood.

When
finished,
the
1. What
happens
to
the
five
rebellious
kings
during
the
battle?

Why
do
you
priests
step
out
of
the
Jordan
and
once
again,
pass
over
the
people
to
lead
them
think
Joshua
does
this?
deeper
into
the
land.

When
the
priests’
feet
walked
onto
dry
ground
outside
the

river,
the
Jordan
immediately
became
a
raging
river
overflowing
its
banks
again.


2. After
wiping
out
the
bulk
of
the
enemy,
Joshua
brings
out
the
kings
to
be
The
people
had
crossed
the
Jordan
on
the
same
day
that
they
had
been
executed.

What
does
he
command
all
men
of
Israel
to
do?

Why?
commanded
to
choose
the
Passover
Lamb
while
in
Egypt
(Exodus
12.3).

It
was
a

day
remembered
as
the
“first
day”
of
their
new
identify
as
the
redeemed
people

of
God.

The
crossing
of
the
Jordan
is
the
first
act
in
the
completion
of
that
same
3. Read
Deuteronomy
21.22-23.

Why
does
Joshua
kill
the
five
kings
and
hang
redemption.

The
men
who
carried
the
stones
from
the
Jordan
to
Gilgal,
set
them
on
a
tree
for
a
day?
them
up
in
a
pile
as
a
permanent
memorial
of
God’s
goodness.

The
stones
will

forever
be
a
monument
to
teach
the
future
generations,
especially
in
times
of

trial,
about
the
fear
of
the
LORD.
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION

1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally

during
this
sermon?



2. Where
has
God
given
you
victory
over
an
attacking
enemy
(sin)—to
the

extent
that
it
is
powerless
with
your
foot
on
its
neck?

Share
how
this

victory
reassured
your
faith,
making
you
stronger
for
other
battles.



3. Read
verse
42.

As
we
battle
triumphantly,
what
is
the
danger
of
forgetting

this
truth?



4. How
is
communion
like
this
ancient
symbol
performed
by
Israel?
Beyond
the
representation
of
an
event,
how
should
this
act
inform
our
future
battles?


LORD’S
ARMY

26
LORD’S
ARMY

43
THE
SOUTHERN
WAR Week
14
Notes:
Battles,
Part
2



Scripture:

Joshua
10.16-43



Key
Verse:



So
Joshua
struck
the
whole
land,
the
hill
country
and
the
Negeb
and
the
lowland

and
the
slopes,
and
all
their
kings.
He
left
none
remaining,
but
devoted
to

destruction
all
that
breathed,
just
as
the
LORD
God
of
Israel
commanded.

And

Joshua
struck
them
from
Kadesh-barnea
as
far
as
Gaza,
and
all
the
country
of

Goshen,
as
far
as
Gibeon.

And
Joshua
captured
all
these
kings
and
their
land
at

one
time,
because
the
LORD
God
of
Israel
fought
for
Israel.
Joshua
10.40-42



Summary:

Once
the
battle
appears
hopelessly
lost
for
the
enemy,
the
five
cowardly
kings

retreat
and
hide
in
a
cave
together.

Joshua
seals
the
cave
with
large
stones
and

sets
men
to
guard
it.

Israel’s
men
of
war
then
proceed
to
pursue
their
remaining

enemies,
preventing
them
from
returning
to
their
cities,
until
the
bulk
of
their

people
were
completely
“wiped
out.”

Upon
Israel’s
safe
return
to
their
camp,
Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
Joshua
called
for
the
five
kings
to
be
brought
out
from
the
cave.

1. What
does
God
instruct
Joshua
to
do
to
memorialize
the
crossing
of
the

Jordan?

What
do
you
think
is
the
significance
of
the
number
of
stones?
Joshua
commands
that
the
five
kings
be
brought
before
him
to
be
executed
by

hanging.

Before
he
does
this,
he
also
summons
all
of
the
men
of
Israel
and
the

military
leaders
who
had
battled
with
him.
In
an
ancient
and
symbolic
sign
of
2. What
2 nd
memorial
does
Joshua
construct?

Why?
victory,
the
men
are
commanded
to
place
their
feet
on
the
necks
of
the

prostrate
kings.

This
is
not
some
barbaric
expression
of
manhood—it
is
a

reminder
of
God’s
faithfulness.


For
as
they
do
this,
Joshua
repeats
the
same
3. According
to
Joshua
4.6-7
and
4.21-24,
who
and
what
is
the
memorial
at
Words
that
God
had
first
spoken
to
Him
AND
that
the
people
had
once
spoken
to
Gilgal
for?
Joshua
himself—“Be
strong
and
courageous.”

If
they
will
remain
steadfast
and

courageously
follow
the
commands
of
the
LORD,
then
the
LORD
will
put
all

enemies
under
the
same
humiliating
subjection
as
He
did
with
these
five
kings.

Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION

1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
Joshua
then
executes
the
kings
as
criminals,
and
hangs
their
bodies
on
a
tree
in
during
this
sermon?
accordance
with
the
Law
(Deut.
21.22-23).

The
bodies
of
the
five
kings
hang
all

day.

At
sunset,
Joshua
commanded
that
the
bodies
be
taken
down
and
thrown
2. Notice
how
many
times
the
Ark,
the
very
presence
of
God,
passes
over
(4.11)
into
the
same
cave
in
which
they
once
hid.

Again,
they
set
large
stones
in
front
and
through
the
people
throughout
the
experience.

How
can
you
practice
of
the
cave,
creating
yet
another
memorial
to
the
LORD.

The
defeat
of
the
five
actively
living
in
the
presence
of
God
like
this?


How
might
these
benefit
kings
and
their
armies
sealed
the
doom
of
southern
Canaan.

After
the
repeated


your
daily
life
in
both
good
and
bad
times?
exaltation
of
Joshua’s
leadership
and

Israel’s
might,
the
passage
ends
3. Sometimes
we
remember
“amazing”
emotionally
charged
events
but
we
reminding
us
why
Israel
is
victorious
often
ignore
the
amazing
God
who
made
them
possible.

Do
you
have
any
at
all—“because
the
LORD
God
of
“monumental”
stories
you
can
share
about
God’s
amazing
goodness
in
your
Israel
fought
for
Israel”.
life?




4. What
monuments
have
you
set
up
to
memorialize
God’s
grace
and
power

for
you
and
your
family
and
all
the
earth?

If
you
haven’t
yet,
how
might
you

memorialize
these
events
as
a
witness
to
others?


LORD’S
ARMY

42
LORD’S
ARMY

27
FROM
WANDERERS
TO
WARRIORS Week
7
Notes:
The
Boot
Camp



Scripture:

Joshua
5.1-12



Key
Verse:



At
that
time
the
LORD
said
to
Joshua,
“Make
flint
knives
and
circumcise
the
sons

of
Israel
a
second
time.”

So
Joshua
made
flint
knives
and
circumcised
the
sons

of
Israel
at
Gibeath-haaraloth…While
the
people
of
Israel
were
camped
at
Gilgal,

they
kept
the
Passover
on
the
fourteenth
day
of
the
month
in
the
evening
on
the

plains
of
Jericho.
Joshua
5.2,
10





Summary:

The
book
of
Numbers
was
a
time
of
great
unbelief
and
judgment
(Numbers
14).

Because
of
their
rebellion,
God
patiently
waited
40
years
for
the
original
Exodus

generation
to
die
in
the
wilderness.

The
subsequent
generation,
for
one
reason

or
another,
did
not
experience
all
of
the
sacraments
that
identified
them
as

God’s
people.

Whether
these
sacraments
were
withdrawn
by
God
or
ignored
by

Israel
is
not
clear.

What
is
clear
is
that,
the
generation
that
came
out
of
Egypt

had
all
of
the
observable
marks
of
the
faithful
but
lacked
the
proper
heart

response.



Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
By
grace
then,
God
raises
up
a
new
generation
in
their
place—their
children
led
1. Who
is
Adoni-zedek?

Why
is
he
so
upset?
(See
Map)
by
Joshua.

The
writer
makes
a
clear
distinction
between
the
old
and
new

generation,
between
the
shame
of
parents
who
failed
to
persevere
in
their
faith

and
the
hope
of
their
children
who
would
persevere.

As
a
mark
of
God’s
2. Why
is
Gibeon
attacked?
Why
does
Joshua
agree
to
help
the
Gibeonites?


faithfulness
to
his
Promises,
Joshua
is
commanded
to
circumcise
the
males—
some
of
whom
would
be
around
40
years
old.

The
pain
of
circumcision
not
only

identifies
the
Israelites
as
God’s
chosen,
but
as
they
have
entered
the
land,
it
3. In
what
ways
does
the
LORD
fight
for
Israel?


symbolizes
a
completion
of
the
redemption
from
Egypt
(Ex.
3.8).

God
kept
His

promise.




4. What
does
Joshua
pray
during
the
battle?
What
do
you
think
is
meant
by

As
they
heal
from
their
backwoods
surgical
procedure,
the
Israelites
celebrate
“stood
still?”
the
Passover.

Only
the
circumcised
could
participate
in
the
Passover
(Ex.12.48),
a

celebration
of
God’s
provision.

The
feast
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
marks
the
beginning
of
a
new
age
where
1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
food
no
longer
flows
directly
from
heaven,
during
this
sermon?
but
still
as
a
result
of
God’s
gift.


2. How
does
seeing
God
as
a
warrior
or
a
fighter
make
you
feel?
What
role

does
God
play
and
what
role
do
we
play
in
our
fight
against
sin?




3. According
to
verses
12-14,
God,
the
LORD
of
the
universe,
Creator
of
all

things,
listens
to
the
voice
of
a
man
who
comes
to
him
in
need.

How
does

this
view
of
prayer
rebuke
our
flippancy
and
monotony
with
which
we
often

approach
the
Great
King?
(See
Psalm
50.15;
Psalm
91.14-16)





LORD’S
ARMY

28
LORD’S
ARMY

41
THE
SOUTHERN
WAR Week
13

Battles,
Part
1
Notes:


Scripture:

Joshua
10.1-15



Key
Verse:


So
Joshua
went
up
from
Gilgal,
he
and
all
the
people
of
war
with
him,
and
all
the

mighty
men
of
valor.

And
the
LORD
said
to
Joshua,
“Do
not
fear
them,
for
I
have

given
them
into
your
hands.

Not
a
man
of
them
shall
stand
before
you…There

were
more
who
died
because
of
the
hailstones
than
the
sons
of
Israel
killed
with

the
sword.

Joshua
10.7-8,
11b





Summary:

Joshua
chapter
10
records
the
southern
military
campaign
in
the
Promised
Land.



In
this
passage,
the
first
conflict
in
the
southern
campaign,
resides
one
of
the

most
familiar
miracles
of
the
entire
conquest.

By
defeating
Jericho
and
Ai,

Joshua
had
cut
a
path
dividing
the
North
and
the
South.

In
the
South,
we
read

about
Adoni-zedek,
the
king
of
Jerusalem.

The
news
that
Gibeon,
a
great
city
of

warriors,
made
peace
with
Israel,
fills
him
with
fear.

He
calls
for
four
other
kings

to
combine
forces
and
attack
Gibeon,
now
an
ally
(though
an
enslaved
one)
with

Israel.

It
is
noteworthy
that
throughout
the
conquest,
it
is
Joshua’s
enemies
that

consistently
make
the
“first
move.”

Unlike
Rahab
and
even
the
Gibeonites
to

some
extent,
their
movement
is
not
to
plea
for
mercy,
rather,
to
rebel
against
Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
the
God
of
Israel.



1. Read
Genesis
17.1-14.

What
is
Circumcision
and
where
did
it
originate?




As
soon
as
the
five
kings
encamp
against
Gibeon,
the
Gibeonites
send
for
Joshua
2. Why
does
God
command
Joshua
to
circumcise
Israel,
again?

for
help.

Joshua
responds
and
all
the
men
of
war
travel
to
fight
for
Gibeon.


From
an
earthly
perspective,
the
odds
are
stacked
against
Joshua
as
he
is
most
3. Read
Exodus
12.

What
is
the
Passover
Feast
and
where
did
it
originate?

likely
outnumbered
and
under-equipped.
But,
as
the
LORD
had
done
in
the

beginning,
He
turns
Joshua’s
eyes
towards
His
sovereignty
and
assures
Joshua
of

total
victory.

Verses
10
and
11
then
picture
the
LORD
as
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
a
warrior
who
commands
his
people
to
enter
the
1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
battlefield,
and
then
leads
the
charge.

Like
something
during
this
sermon?
out
of
a
Hollywood
disaster
film,
the
LORD
throws

down
hailstones
from
heaven
killing
more
people
than
2. As
evidenced
by
the
original
Exodus
generation,
it
is
possible
to
receive
the
those
who
fall
by
Israel’s
own
swords.

The
emphasis
of
symbols
of
religion,
but
have
not
have
a
faith
that
leads
to
obedience
(v.5-7).


this
passage,
however,
is
not
on
this
miracle
of
the
How
is
the
gospel
different
than
religion
or
irreligion?
weapons
of
war,
but
on
the
prayer
that
God
answers

causing
the
Sun
and
Moon
to
“stand
still”.

He
obeyed
3. Read
Joshua
5.9
and
Colossians
2.11-12.

How
is
circumcision
a
meaningful
the
voice
of
a
man,
Scriptures
say,
in
a
way
He
would
way
to
describe
our
relationship
to
our
sin?
(See
also
2Cor
5.17).
never
do
again.



4. It
is
easier
to
see,
enjoy,
and
even
believe
in
God
when
he
directly
blesses
In
the
end,
the
passage
declares
men
are
fighting,
but
us
in
miraculous
ways.

But
what
happens
when
the
Manna
stops?

Where
we
see
it
is
the
LORD
who
is
the
warrior.

Both
the
can
you
still
see
and
enjoy
the
providence
of
God
in
daily
life?
battle
and
the
victory
is
the
LORD’S.









LORD’S
ARMY

40
LORD’S
ARMY

29
FIRST
CONQUEST,
FIRST
DEFEAT Week
8
Notes:

First
Conquest



Scripture:

Joshua
5.13-6.27



Key
Verse:



And
at
the
seventh
time,
when
the
priests
had
blown
the
trumpets,
Joshua
said

the
people,
“Shout,
for
the
LORD
has
given
you
the
city.

And
the
city
and
all
that

is
within
it
shall
be
devoted
to
the
LORD
for
destruction.

Only
Rahab
the

prostitute
and
all
who
are
with
her
in
her
house
shall
live,
because
she
hid
the

messengers
whom
we
sent.

But
you
keep
yourselves
from
the
things
devoted

to
destruction,
lest
when
you
have
devoted
them
you
take
any
of
the
devoted

things
and
make
the
camp
of
Israel
a
thing
for
destruction
and
bring
trouble

upon
it.”

Joshua
6.16-18




Summary:

The
conquest
of
Jericho
is
one
of
the
strangest
and
well
known
stories
in
the

Bible.

The
narrative
begins
with
a
brief
encounter
with
what
appears
to
be
a
Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
warrior.

Joshua
asks
whether
the
warrior
is
on
his
or
his
enemy’s
side.

The
1. Why
does
God
begin
by
instructing
Joshua
and
all
of
Israel
not
to
fear
or
to
warrior
answers
“No”,
explaining
that
He
is
the
Commander
of
the
Lord’s
Army
be
dismayed?
and
He
is
on
God’s
side.

At
that,
Joshua
wisely
falls
on
his
face
and
worships

Him,
echoing
the
same
experience
Moses
had
with
a
burning
shrubbery.



2. How
is
this
battle
distinctively
different
than
the
battle
against
Jericho?
Under
the
direction
of
the
LORD,
Joshua
moves
to
attack
Jericho.

Chapter
6
Why
do
you
think
God
fought
this
way
at
Ai?

Compare
this
passage
with
begins
with
a
sense
of
hopelessness
as
the
city
is
protected
by
huge
walls
that
Exodus
17.8-16.
are
seemingly
impenetrable,
especially
for
a
people
unskilled
in
the
necessary

kind
of
warfare.

Despite
the
impossibility
of
the
task,
God
promises
victory
if

Joshua
will
follow
his
unorthodox
method
of
fighting.

God’s
method
included
3. Read
Deuteronomy.
21.22-23.

How
does
this
passage
help
inform
your
lining
up
the
soldiers,
the
band
(seven
priests
with
ram’s
horns),
the
Ark,
and
the
understanding
of
hanging
of
the
King
of
Ai?
security
guards.
In
this
order,
they
would
circle
the
closed
up
city
once
every

day
for
six
days.

And,
with
the
exception
of
the
band
blowing
horns,
they
are
to

do
this
while
remaining
silent.

On
the
seventh
day,
General
Joshua
led
this
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
procession
around
the
city
seven
times.

After
the
seventh
time,
Joshua
1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
commanded
Israel
to
open
their
mouths
and
SHOUT.
And
the
walls
fell.

during
this
sermon?


As
commanded
by
the
LORD
(Lev.
27.28-29;
Deut.
13.16;
20-.10-18),
the
entire
city
2. Joshua
asked
the
right
questions
so
as
not
to
be
deceived,
but
he
was.

was
devoted
to
destruction
including
men,
women,
young,
human
and
animal.

Often
times
our
problem
is
NOT
that
we
don’t
think,
it
is
that
we
don’t
pray.

They
burned
the
entire
city
with
fire
and
cursed
its
rebuilding.

Only
God-fearing
How
quick
are
you
to
depend
on
God’s
wisdom
when
making
difficult
Rahab,
and
all
who
were
in
her
home,
were
saved
from
the
wrath
of
the
LORD’S
decisions?

Why?
army.





3. Read
Psalm
15.4
and
Matt.
23.16-22.

Discuss
how
culture’s
view
of
“giving

your
word”
compares
with
the
view
of
Scripture.




4. We
all
use
excuses
to
justify
breaking
our
promises.

Do
you
think
that

Israel
was
obligated
to
keep
their
word
knowing
that
they
have
been
tricked
into
giving
it?

What
might
this
be
teaching
us
about
how
we
are
to
live
faithfully
within
twisted
situations?



LORD’S
ARMY

30
LORD’S
ARMY

39
THE
SOUTHERN
WAR Week
12
Notes:
The
Bad
Treaty



Scripture:

Joshua
9.1-27



Key
Verse:


But
when
the
inhabitants
of
Gibeon
heard
what
Joshua
had
done
to
Jericho
and

to
Ai,
they
on
their
part
acted
with
cunning…So
the
men
took
some
of
their

provisions,
but
did
not
ask
counsel
from
the
LORD.

And
Joshua
made
peace
with

them
and
made
a
covenant
with
them,
to
let
them
live,
and
the
leaders
of
the

congregation
swore
to
them.

Joshua
9,3-4a,
14-15



Summary:

It
didn’t
take
long
for
the
word
to
get
out
about
what
Israel
had
done
to
Jericho

and
Ai.

The
Southern
Kings
quickly
gathered
together
to
defeat
their
common

enemy.

Just
as
the
Exodus
is
a
record
of
a
sinful
man’s
rebellion
against
God
Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
(not
Moses),
so
Joshua
is
a
record
of
a
group
of
sinful
men
and
their
rebellion
1. What
do
you
think
is
the
significance
of
the
brief
appearance
of
the
against
the
One
True
God.

Fresh
from
a
powerful
renewal
of
their
relationship
“Commander
of
the
LORD’s
Army”
in
Joshua
5.13-15?


How
does
this
set
the
with
God,
their
faithfulness
is
immediately
tested
by
the
inhabitants
of
Gibeon.


stage
for
the
conquest?
(Who
is
this
guy?
Angel?
Jesus?
How
do
you
know?)


God
had
clearly
outlined
the
rules
of
warfare
in
the
Law
(Deut.
20.10-18).

These

rules
allowed
for
Israel
to
make
treaties
with
peaceful
cities
outside
the
2. Re-read
pg.
13
of
the
introduction,
“Warfare
in
Joshua.”



Promised
Land,
but
they
forbid
Israel
from
making
any
treaties
with
those

within.

Though
the
Gibeonites
were
powerful
warriors
(Joshua
10.2),
the
report

of
Israel’s
conquests
caused
them
to
fear.

Apparently
they
had
some
working
3. The
old
children’s
song,
“Joshua
Fought
the
Battle
of
Jericho”
isn’t
exactly
knowledge
of
God’s
“rules
of
war”,
so
they
sought
to
deceive
Joshua
and
the
biblical
is
it?

Explain
the
strange
method
God
uses
to
bring
down
the
walls
elders
into
signing
a
peace
treaty.

Their
ruse
is
so
cleverly
devised
that
they
of
Jericho?


only
mention
the
battles
east
of
the
Jordan,
and
not
the
most
recent
ones
that

travelers
from
far
away
lands
wouldn’t
have
heard
about
yet.

And,
even
though

a
suspicious
Joshua
and
the
elders
ask
many
questions
of
the
Gibeonites,
they
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
fail
to
ask
God
even
one.



1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally

during
this
sermon?
Within
three
days
of
making
a
covenant
with

them,
they
realize
they
are
neighbors.

The

people
of
Israel
wanted
to
attack
them
2. Why
does
God
often
place
his
people
in
what
appear
to
be
impossible
and
immediately,
but
the
leaders
refused
to
break
unwinnable
situations?

Where
was
your
Jericho?

Share
with
your
group
a
their
word
to
the
GIbeonites.

All
of
Israel
time
when
you
experienced
that
kind
of
trial?

grumbled
against
their
own
leaders.


Nevertheless,
the
leaders
of
Israel
remained
true

to
their
oath
to
not
destroy
the
cities
of
the
3. What,
if
any
of
God’s
commands
and
promises,
feel
like
Him
asking
you
to
Gibeonites.

They
let
them
live
but
forced
them
to
march
around
Jericho?
In
other
words,
what
might
appear
like
an
become
laboring
servants
to
the
congregation
“unorthodox”
fighting
method
in
the
eyes
of
the
world
today?
and
for
the
altar
of
the
LORD.



4. How
does
the
commanded
brutality
of
v.
21
and
24
make
you
feel?

What
might
you
say
to
the
individual
who
complains
about
an
Old
Testament
God
who
is
wrathful
and
barbaric,
while
claiming
to
love
the
way
of
Jesus?




LORD’S
ARMY

38
LORD’S
ARMY

31
FIRST
CONQUEST,
FIRST
DEFEAT Week
9
Notes:
First
Defeat



Scripture:

Joshua
7.1-26



Key
Verse:



The
LORD
said
to
Joshua,
“Get
up!
Why
have
you
fallen
on
your
face?

Israel
has

sinned;
they
have
transgressed
my
covenant
that
I
commanded
them;
they
have

taken
some
of
the
devoted
things;
they
have
stolen
and
lied
and
put
them

among
their
own
belongings.

Therefore
the
people
of
Israel
cannot
stand
before

their
enemies.

They
turn
their
backs
before
their
enemies
because
they
have

become
devoted
for
destruction.
I
will
be
with
you
no
more,
unless
you
destroy

the
devoted
things
from
among
you.”
Joshua
7.10-12



Summary:

Israel’s
first
conquest
is
followed
immediately
by
their
first
defeat.

The
first

verse
of
chapter
seven
gives
the
reason
why—God
is
angry
about
one
man’s
sin.




Following
the
victory
at
Jericho,
Joshua
immediately
moves
on
to
the
city
of
Ai.


As
he
had
with
Jericho,
he
sends
spies
ahead
who
tell
Joshua
to
send
fewer
men

as
it
looks
to
be
an
easier
victory.

The
men
of
Israel
are
routed.
While
it’s

tempting
to
believe
that
overconfidence
or
a
lack
of
prayer
caused
the
defeat,

the
reason
is
clear.

In
utter
disbelief,
Joshua
and
the
elders
fall
on
their
face

before
God,
pleading
with
him
to
defend
his
own
name.

God
responds
by
telling
Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
them
to
get
up,
clean
themselves,
and
get
the
sin
out
of
their
family.


1. Why
does
Joshua
build
an
altar
on
Mt.
Ebal?


We
learn
much
from
this
narrative
about
God,
sin,
and
the
purity
of
worship.


God
is
holy
and
cannot
tolerate
the
smallest
of
sins.

Moreover,
the
smallest
of
2. Read
Deuteronomy
28.58-65.

Why
is
obedience
to
the
law
so
important?
individual’s
sins
will
impact
an
entire
community
bringing
all
kinds
of
trouble
and

hindering
the
mission
of
God.

Private
sin
never
remains
hidden,
it
always
has

public
consequences
that
infect
and
destroy
all
kinds
of
relationships.

Joshua’s
3. The
first
five
books
of
the
Old
Testament
are
considered,
the
books
of
the
response
teaches
us
what
good
leadership
does
when
they
find
sin
in
their
Law.

How
much
of
the
law
did
Joshua
read?

Who
is
present?
camp.

The
leaders
of
God’s
people
are
charged
to
preserve
the
purity
of

worship.

So,
at
the
command
of
God,
Joshua
has
all
of
Israel
draw
lots
from

tribes,
to
clans,
to
families,
to
individuals,
until
a
man
named
Achan
confesses
to
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
coveting
and
breaking
God’s
commands.


1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally

during
this
sermon?
Even
though
Achan
confesses
his

sin,
there
are
still
punitive
2. In
light
of
the
gospel,
what
role
does
God’s
Law
play
in
our
lives
today?
consequences
for
him
and
his

family.

Joshua
brings
Achan,
his
3. How
do
remembering
BOTH
God’s
blessings
AND
cursings,
his
promises
AND
family,
the
items
he
stole
and
all
he
his
warnings,
help
build
our
faith
differently?
What
happens
if
you
focus
on
owns
into
a
valley.

There,
only
one
aspect
of
God’s
Law?

representing
the
LORD’S
justice,
all

of
Israel
justly
stones,
burns,
and
4. In
your
personal
struggle
with
submission
to
God’s
authority
in
daily
buries
everything.


As
the
purity
of
decisions,
are
you
tempted
to
concern
yourself
with
what
is
most
worship
is
restored,
the
LORD’S
emotionally,
physically,
or
intellectually
satisfying?


anger
subsides.



LORD’S
ARMY

32
LORD’S
ARMY

37
FIRST
CONQUEST,
FIRST
DEFEAT Week
11
Notes:
Covenant



Scripture:

Joshua
8.30-35



Key
Verse:



And
afterward
he
read
all
the
words
of
the
law,
the
blessing
and
the
curse,

according
to
all
that
is
written
in
the
Book
of
the
Law.

There
was
not
a
word
of

all
that
Moses
commanded
that
Joshua
did
not
read
before
all
the
assembly
of

Israel,
and
the
women,
and
the
little
ones,
and
the
sojourners
who
lived
among

them.

Joshua
8.34-35



Summary:



What
seems
like
an
awkward
transition
from
an
execution,
this
passage
serves

as
a
fitting
conclusion
to
what
began
in
Joshua
chapter
5.

What
began
with
the

participation
in
the
marks
of
the
covenant
ends
with
a
complete
reading
of
the

covenant
itself.


Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING

1. Why
did
Joshua
send
fewer
men
to
attack
the
City
of
Ai?

Following
the
defeat
of
Ai,
Joshua
builds
an
altar
on
Mt.
Ebal.

His
actions
are
the

fulfillment
of
Mose’s
command
east
of
the
Jordan
(Deut.
27)
signifying
the

completion
of
their
entrance
into
the
land.

Jericho
demonstrated
what
faith
in
2. What
incorrect
reasons
might
we
give
for
Israel’s
defeat
at
Ai?

What
is
the
God
would
accomplish
while
the
first
defeat
at
Ai
confirmed
results
of
real
reason
why
Israel
got
routed
at
the
City
of
Ai?

faithlessness.

Their
experience
over
the
last
few
weeks
culminates
in
the
public

writing
and
reading
of
the
law.

Half
of
Israel
stands
before
Mt.
Ebal,
the
other

half
before
Mt.
Gerazim,
with
the
Ark
resting
between
them.


This
all
takes
3. Read
Joshua
6.18-19.

How
was
Achan
tempted
and
what
sin
did
Achan
place
at
the
city
of
Shechem,
where
Abraham
first
received
the
promise
of
the
commit?

land
(Gen.
12.6-7).

God’s
covenant
faithfulness
is
proclaimed
to
everyone
as

Joshua
declares
the
cursings
that
accompanied
disobedience
and
the
blessings

that
resulted
from
obedience.

Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION

1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
In
placing
the
Covenant
renewal
at
this
point
in
the
narrative,
the
writer
intends
during
this
sermon?
to
show
that
obedience
to
God’s
Word
is
more
important
than
fighting
God’s

War.

In
fact,
Israel’s
future
success
is
dependent
upon
their
faithfulness,
not

their
fighting
skill,
their
complete
submission
to
every
Word
of
God,
not
their
2. When
Israel
is
defeated
at
Ai,
Joshua
pleas
to
God.

According
to
verse
9,
own
perceived
self-righteousness.

All
people,
male
and
female,
young
and
old,
what
is
Joshua
most
concerned
about?

How
might
this
kind
of
attitude
must
follow
all
of
God’s
Word—this
is
their
first
priority.

God’s
Word
must
impact
what
decisions
we
make
in
our
lives?
govern
our
emotions,
our
intellects,
and
even
our
experiences—not
vice
versa.







3. How
does
this
passage
challenge
your
view
of
individual
sin?

Do
you
see

your
“private”
sin
as
impacting
the
community
at
Damascus
Road?

Why
or

why
not?





4. Do
you
view
the
punishment
of
Achan
as
too
severe?
How
might
this
speak

to
how
serious
you
view
the
breaking
of
God’s
command?

What
does
the
punishment
of
Achan
teach
us
about
destroying
(versus
managing)
sin?





LORD’S
ARMY

36
LORD’S
ARMY

33
FIRST
CONQUEST,
FIRST
DEFEAT Week
10
Notes:
First
Victory



Scripture:

Joshua
8.1-29



Key
Verse:

And
the
LORD
said
to
Joshua,
‘Do
not
fear
and
do
not
be
dismayed.

Take
all
the

fighting
men
with
you,
and
arise,
go
up
to
Ai.

See,
I
have
given
into
your
hand

the
king
of
Ai,
and
his
people,
his
city,
and
his
land.

And
you
shall
do
to
Ai
and

its
king
as
you
did
to
Jericho
and
its
king.

Only
its
spoil
and
its
livestock
you

shall
take
as
plunder
for
yourselves.

Lay
an
ambush
against
the
city,
behind
it.


Joshua
8.1-2



Summary:

After
removing
the
sin
from
the
camp,
God
is
ready
to
fight
for
them
again.


Reassuring
them
not
to
fear,
God
instructs
them
on
how
to
attack
Ai
a
second

time.

Like
Jericho,
God
promises
to
give
the
city
into
their
hands.

Unlike
Jericho,
Personal
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
UNDERSTANDING
God
puts
forward
a
more
military-like
strategy
to
conquer
the
city.



Where
the
1. Why
does
God
begin
by
instructing
Joshua
and
all
of
Israel
not
to
fear
or
to
battle
of
Jericho
reveals
God’s
power,
the
second
battle
of
Ai
reveals
his
be
dismayed?
cleverness.

The
clever
strategy,
however,
is
not
what
wins
the
battle.

The

timing
and
necessity
of
God’s
help,
as
a
result
of
the
cleansing
of
sin,
is

important
to
remember
as
the
key
to
the
victory.

2. How
is
this
battle
distinctively
different
than
the
battle
against
Jericho?

Why
do
you
think
God
fought
this
way
at
Ai?

Compare
this
passage
with
Having
set
up
an
ambush
of
mighty
men
the
night
before,
Joshua
proceeds
to
Exodus
17.8-16.
coax
the
warriors
of
Ai
to
the
battlefield.

Pretending
to
be
beaten,
the
main
in

the
morning,
Joshua
flees
to
the
wilderness
resulting
in
all
of
the
inhabitants
of

Ai
pursuing
him.

God
then
commands
Joshua
to
signal
the
men
laying
in
ambush
3. Read
Deuteronomy.
21.22-23.

How
does
this
passage
help
inform
your
to
burn
the
city
with
fire.

When
the
men
of
Ai
see
smoke
coming
from
their
understanding
of
the
hanging
of
the
King
of
Ai?
homes,
they
run
home
only
to
be
struck
down
by
Israel.

Other
than
the
King,
no

one
survives.

And
when
they
had
finished
destroying
all
of
Ai’s
inhabitants,

Joshua
returns
to
hang
the
King
on
a
tree
as
a
criminal
(Deut.
21.22-23).
This
Road
Group
Study/QUESTIONS
FOR
LIFE
APPPLICATION
seemingly
barbaric
act
is
a
demonstration
of
God’s
judgment
on
sin
and
1. What
Scripture,
idea,
or
comment
most
impressed
upon
you
personally
rebellion.

Without
question,
the
hanging
is
gruesome.

But
the
stark
image
during
this
sermon?
should
not
cause
us
to
feel
empathy
and
cringe
at
its
sight,
as
much
as
fear
God

and
flee
from
the
sin
that
necessitated
it.
2. Have
you,
or
someone
you
know,
ever
lived
in
the
fear
and
despair
of
a
past

defeat?

How
can
we
overcome
this?

(See
Romans
8.37-39
and
Philippians

3.12-16)



3. How
are
the
two
battles
of
Jericho
and
Ai
different?
What
might
this
second

battle
plan
teach
us
about
God
and
his
ways
to
overcome
obstacles
in
our

life?






4. Compare
Psalm
32
with
Psalm
51.

Both
of
these
Psalms
were
written
by

David
about
his
“secret”
sin
with
Bathsheba.

What
happens
when
we
confess
our
sin?
What
happens
when
we
don’t?





LORD’S
ARMY

34
LORD’S
ARMY

35