The Book of Joshua Continued

1. The Book of Joshua Continued

2. Quick Review Main Events: • After the death of Moses, God chooses Joshua to lead the people. • Crossing of the Jordon & placement of the memorial stones • Preparation is made for entry into Canaan-land at Gilgal which included circumcision, celebration of the Passover and a cut off of their food supply (manna) • The Lord gives marching orders and instructions • Obedience of Joshua leads to the conquest of Jericho • Curse of Joshua put upon the ground of Jericho (v 26-27) which is honored, because God is a covenant making God and He honors ours as well.

3. What Does The Story of Chapter 6 Tell Us About God? (Text p.37-38) • God has sovereignty determined to be dependent upon imperfect sinful human beings in bringing to pass His plans for his creation and for history. • God works in His world with what is available to Him, and that includes both flawed human beings and flawed structures (culture). God perfects neither before working through them and using them. • We will probably never have a perfect understanding of what it means to be an instrument of God in the achieving of His purposes.

4. Defeated at Ai • Joshua again sends out spies into the targeted city. • The spies come back overconfident of victory and don’t glorify God in their report. • A small part of the army sets out to take the city of Ai (NW of Jericho) • The whole army is set back and 36 men are killed. • Joshua is distraught and cries out to God (v.6-9) in anger, fear and confusion.

5. Israel Sinned (T. p38) The Children of Israel committed a trespass. Joshua 6:18 had made a ban on the spoils of Jericho. One man defied the ban but the whole nation was held accountable. • “broke faith” (inadvertently) • “Acted unfaithfully” For Achan the word used for his sin meant: • Misappropriation of sacred property • Intentional (rather than inadvertent) (Reasonable to assume this is true)

6. Comparison of Prayers (T. p.39) The prayers of Abraham, Moses and Joshua shared these features: • A crisis provoked by a breach in one’s relationship with God that, if not rectified will have dire results • A response to God in prayer by an intercessor that includes questions addressed to God that take issue with God and to which God responds. • An explanation or resolution of the crisis *Joshua’s prayer failed to rise to the level of his predecessors because of his harangue (ranting) In God’s response it is evident that the enemy is not without, but rather within.

7. Guilt Determined by Lot • Only two other times was this method used: • Saul inquired of God whether he should engage the Philistines in battle again. God does not respond and Saul concludes someone has sinned and lots are cast and his son is found guilty. • In the story of Jonah the sailors feel that the storm is caused by someone’s sin and they cast lots which reveals Jonah is the culprit.

8. Why Was Achan’s Sin Unforgivable? • He confesses his sin (after being exposed) but adds his explanation (like Eve “I saw”… “I took”) • He broke both parts of God’s command to destroy everything except for gold and silver which was to go to God’s treasury. • This was not an ordinary event. • What He took was to be completely devoted for God and Him alone.

9. Why was Achan’s Family and Animals Also Destroyed? Possible explanations: • It was probably common knowledge in his family of what he had done. • In ancient Israel the individual was only considered a part of the group. • Abnormal measures for an unusual case *Note it was the people-not God that did the punishing.

10. Chapter 7-9 Ai and Achan Comparison of the Victory at Jericho and Defeat at Ai Causes of Victory at Jericho: • Faith • Obedience • Courage Causes of the Defeat at Ai • Self Confidence • Covetousness • Disobedience

11. 2nd Attack on Ai • Get in groups and Compare and Contrast the Battle of Jericho (Chapt. 6) and the 2nd Battle of Ai (Chapt.8). DO NOT USE YOUR TEXTBOOK FOR THIS EXERCISE. • At Jericho God worked a divine miracle. At Ai He seemed to bless human planning and strategy. • They were commanded to destroy everything at Jericho and were not ordered to do so at Ai • They were forbidden to take anything at Jericho but were allowed to keep spoil and livestock at Ai

12. Things to Learn (T p.46) • Human advise can lead to disaster • Defeats can be turned into triumphs, but only when sin is dealt with appropriately and God’s ways are honored. • Sins of attitude can be as destructive as sins of action • In engaging the enemy, the bottom line is the presence or absence of a blessing God.

13. After 2 Victories-Chapt 8 (v30-35) • Public Acts of Worship-Joshua built an altar out of uncut stones and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings. • Joshua wrote on the stones a copy of the Law of Moses • Fresh Reading and Hearing of the Word of God

14. Chapter 9 The Treaty with the Gibeonites • Two groups emerge after these battles: • The Hittites, the Amorites,, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites (all Canaanites) joined together to take Israel by force. • The Gibeonites (from one of the 4 Hivite cities) decided to use deception and diplomacy to unite with Israel.

15. Joshua & The Israelites Sinned • Did not inquire of the Lord v. 14 • Made a covenant with the Gibeonites even though God had ordered the Israelites not to make any covenants with any nation in Canaan (Ex. 23:32, 34:12 and Deut. 7:2). * As a result slavery was introduced

16. The Sun Stands Still-Chapt. 10 • Contains campaigns and conquests in the southern portions of Canaan • The five kings launch an attack on Gibeon and Joshua comes to their defense. Yahweh sends a great shower of tremendous hailstones and at Joshua’s request He makes the sun and moon stand still for about a day* so that the battle was won and the enemies killed. * The Amorites worshipped the sun and the moon • Five Kings escaped and hid in a cave, but were found and killed and their bodies hung in trees and then buried and sealed in the cave. • 7 More cities were conquered but not occupied leaving some of the enemy to repopulate and later more battles were necessary in the Book of Judges. *Some verses in this chapter and in 2 Samuel note a book of Jashar which has been lost.

17. The Northern Conquest-Chapter 11 • Jabin, King of Hazor (10 miles NW of he Sea of Galilee) gathered a coalition of northern kings to do battle against Joshua when he heard about what was happening in the south. • They also had horses and chariots and the Anakims (men of great size) • Hazor was a large secure fortress located on the main trade route between Egypt and Mesopotamia. *v 13 refers to mounds created from one city built upon another. *Northern campaign took 5-7 years

18. Spiritual Warfare Lessons • Satan often forges weapons to war upon those who are moving in conquest for Christ. • Just like Joshua we must contend for God’s eternal purposes and having faith we must triumph over all evil opponents with the power and authority of God.

19. Chapter 12-Summary of Israel’s Victories • In the Transjordan area (East of Jordan) • In the Cisjordon area (West of Jordan)

20. Section 3 Allocating Canaan-land (Chapters 13 through 21) • Nine chapters that are mostly narrated dealing with the division of the land among the tribes of Israel. • The land was given by God • The land was owned by the family (tribe)-not the individual. (This is why genealogies were so important) • Mosaic Law provided rules regarding inheritance and birthright.

22. Chapter 13-Land Yet to be Conquered • The unconquered territory extended on the outer regions from north of Damascus to the Egyptian border. • The conquered land was now to be occupied. • The tribe of Levi received no formal allotment of land. They were to be supported by the tithe, sacrifices, etc. of the other tribes

23. Chapter 14 & 15 • 12 tribes of Isreal were descended from the 12 sons of Jacob. Levi did not receive a portion, leaving 11, but Joseph’s descendants were divided into 2 tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh) bringing the number of tribes with land to 12. • The dividing of the land was to be executed before God and presided over by Joshua, Eleazar (spiritual leader in some matters) and a rep. from each tribe. In additions lots were drawn and honored as God’s decision. According to Numbers 26 the lots determined the location, but the size of the allotment was determined by population

24. Chapters 14 & 15 cont-Caleb • At the age of 85 Caleb asks for the land promised to him by God 45 years earlier (Deut. 1:36). The Lord had preserved his life as a result of his faithful report of the promised land to Moses. • He was given Hebron 19 miles SW of Jerusalem • Hebron was yet to be conquered, but he took the challenge with faith in God to do what He said He would do.

25. Chapters 16 & 17 • The tribes of Joseph (Manasseh and Ephraim) were given the central hill region north of Jerusalem. • They were not happy with their allotment and asked for more, but it was not granted. • Many tribes failed to drive out the original inhabitants of their land which eventually resulted in them turning from God. • In the case of the 5 daughters of Zelophehad (he didn’t have any sons) the land was allotted to them and their other male relatives

26. Chapters 18-19 The Remainder of the Land Divided With the Seven Other Tribes • The 1st mention of Shiloh-a city located about 20-30 miles north of Jerusalem. It is established as the place for the erection of the tabernacle and the ark remained there for over 100 years. • Joshua proposed that 3 men from each of the tribes survey the land, describe it and come up with a plan to divide it and then lots would determine which plan was chosen by God.

27. Chapter 20 Attention Now Given to Civil Law • Six cities are set aside as cities of refuge for those that commit involuntary homicide (3 on each side of the Jordan River). 1. It was customary at that time to demand equal punishment for a crime-a life for a life with no provision made for accidents or circumstances. • Avenger of blood (v.3)- It was the duty of the nearest male relative to avenge the death by killing the killer or killing the one who brought shame to their family. If the court case determined the person was guilty then he would be put to death by this person. • These cities gave time for a court case to determine guilt or innocence. The innocent were allowed to stay and live there until the death of the high priest and then they could go home (just as the death of Christ releases us from sin that we might go to our heavenly home).

28. Further Comparison Between Christ and the Cities of Refuge (Schaeffer) • Must be available to all who would have need of it (including foreigners) • Each city had to have the presence of a living high priest • The cities were spaced so that no one would have more than a half day’s journey to reach refuge. • The cities of refuge represent the grace and justice of God.

29. Place for the Levites-Chapter 21 • 48 cities assigned to the Levites (approximately 4 cities per tribe regardless of the size of the tribe). • Levi tribe divided into 3 clans: (from the 3 sons of Levi) each got their city by sacred lot. • Gershonites-13 cities • Kohathites-descendents from Moses and Aaron-23 cities • Merarites-12 cities • They were to provide for the worship of God, teach from The Law

30. The Promise Fulfilled • To the seed of Abraham God had promised the land of Canaan (Gen 12:1 & Joshua 1:2,3). He is the promise maker and the promise keeper. • In Joshua 21:43, 45 we see this fulfilled • So the LORD gave Israel all the land which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they possessed it and lived in it. • And the LORD gave them rest on every side, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers, and no one of all their enemies stood before them; the LORD gave all their enemies into their hand. • Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.

31. Section 4 Holding on to CanaanChapters 22-24 • Chapter 22-Dispute arises between Transjordon tribes and the majority of the Cisjordanian tribes • The Transjordanian tribes were sent home after serving their fellow Israelites for 7-14 years. • On the way home they built a huge altar • This was interpreted as apostosy because it was not done in Shiloh. • War was averted by sending a delegation out and clearing up the matter.

32. Chapter 23 • The farewell address of Joshua: • Joshua exhorts the leaders to be unflinching in their commitment to observing everything in the book of the law of Moses • Joshua exhorts the people to stay away from and don’t marry the Canaanite people • He exhort the people to love (be loyal to Him and Him alone & obey Him)) God fervently. The tension between God’s grace and His justice is seen in v 15,16

33. Chapter 24 The Covenant at Shechem • He gathers representative leaders to Shecham-40 miles North of Jerusalem. • Shechem is a city of refuge and a Levitical city. • This is where Abram first built an altar in the promised land. Here God told him He would give Abram’s descendants this land. Later Jacob also bought land there and built an altar. • V 15… choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." • The bbook ends with the burial of three great men: Joshua, Joseph, and Eleazar (son of Aaron)

34. Characteristics of a Good and Godly Leader found in Joshua • Did not assume his place as leader, but let God establish him as leader • His position was established by God through overcoming a huge obstacle (crossing the Jordan and conquering Jericho) • His dependence upon God • He continually exhorted the people to be holy and unpolluted by the world • He gave thought to the positioning, strengthening, and encouragement of the troops. • He dealt with problems and did not let them slide. • He demonstrated his love and care for the people of God • He was an example to God’s people (faithfulness, obedience, fairness, willingness to listen to the people)

35. Personal Applications • God’s favor comes to those that live in obedience to Him. • A call to complete devotion to God • Steps to Holiness: Living unto God and apart from the world • There will be dire consequences if we decide to reject God and turn to worldly thinking and behavior. • God’s word must be applied to our lives. Knowing it is not enough. • There is power in making memorials in your spiritual journey. • Past successes can cause us to be less careful about sin. • We must understand that individual sin weakens the whole church. • Submission and obedience to God will lead to victory in our lives.