><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Joshua) CHAPTER 8 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Using a map, follow the plan of campaign. Note the contrasts and similarities to the conquest of Jericho. What principles of victory emerge from chapters 6 and 8 for the people of God? 2) The background to verse 30-35 is to be found in Dt 11:26-29;27:1- 28:68. What were the purposes of this dedication service? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Deuteronomy) Chapter 8 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- The Lord directed Joshua not to be afraid, and to go up and attack Ai - take the whole army. God used Joshua to become a famous, mighty warrior, but based upon J.'s obedience. Therefore, to God be the glory - not Joshua! (but we remember him well as a faithful, courageous and obedient servant of the Lord) Renewing the covenant once again proclaimed Israel as God's people. A public acknowledgement. In our own walk, we constantly need to "add wood to the fire" of our zeal for the Lord. May we also renew and acknowledge our Savior, in whatever ways we should. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Joshua 8 Ambushes in Christ In this chapter, it appears to be a military story. The spiritual significance is way beyond the facial story. Joshua took 30,000 men going westerly to the top of Mount Gerizim. Among them, 5,000 ambushes went farther west behind Ai and between Bethel. The ambushes took the city while the main troop came to Ai in the early morning from the north. The ambushes entered into the empty city and burned it up. The king was caught alive and was hanged on a tree. Here in Mount Ebal, Joshua built an altar. "HE WROTE THER ON THE STONE A COPY OF THE LAW OF MOSES, in the presence of the sons of Israel." 8:32. Then, he read all the words - the Book of the Law as Moses commanded them, Deut. 27. This is the same place where Abraham erected his first altar 600 years ago. Thus, Joshua conquered central Canaan. The Lord sent His backbone force as ambushes to work in the dark, not exposed themselves, walking extra miles, penetrating into the enemies, with limited supplies and facing higher risk to win the battle. These are the ones with strong faith, high endurance, tolerable, flexible, quiet and brave soldiers. Lord make me one of them to sing the victorious song in Jesus: Oh victory in Jesus, my savior, forever! He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood; He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him - HE PLUNGED ME TO VICTORY BENEATH THE CLEANSING FLOOD. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Joshua's military strategy employed here was one of luring the people out of the city then taking an ambush approach to capture the city. The people were victorious because they were obedient to God. When we trust and obey God we can win the battle that He has already won for us. Again, the command was given to take only the spoil, not to leave anyone alive. 2) In Dt 11:26-29;27:1-28:68. Moses commands the people to do what is done in v30-35 of chp8. This dedication service was to consecrate the promised land to God. 26 ¶ "See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am commanding you today; 28 and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known. 29 "It shall come about, when the LORD your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess it, that you shall place the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal. Josh 8:34-35 34 Then 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. 35 There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded which Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel with the women and the little ones and the strangers who were living among them. May each of us remember to consecrate the victories in our lives to God. To give Him the credit and the glory when we are victorious and to remember His commands and promises given to us. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Joshua) CHAPTER 9 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) See Dt 7:1-6 as the background to this chapter. WHat factors led to the disobedience of Joshua and his leaders? 2) Having realized their error, how did the Jewish leaders deal with the situation? What principles can we draw from this for ourselves? 3) Trace the subsequent history of the Gibeonites, seen in Josh 10:2;11:19;2 Sam 21:1-9;2Ch. 1:1-13. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Deuteronomy) Chapter 9 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- It would seem that the people became over-confident, forgetting that the Lord was their head in all matters, large and small. However, their consistency in keeping their oath was honorable. When we make a mistake, we should own up to it, and carry out our promises. The Gibeonites were like Jacob, "schemers"! I actually think they were pretty smart in their sly ways. They recognized the awesome power of God. Although being deceptive is not commendable, it showed their cleverness to retain a place in history. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Joshua 9 The Right Solution of a Wrong Decision When the Gibeonites heard together with other nations in the Promised Land about what God did to bless His people in that land. The Gibeonites were frightened and made haste to enslave themselves to Israel. Joshua was based on the Law of Moses, Duet. 7:1-2 and Duet. 20:10-15, to make peace with far off cities, 9:9, but not with the Canaanites, nations living in close proximity. However, 9:14 specifically mentioned that J's mistake was that he did not ask for the counsel of the Lord for this case. When the congregation grumbled against the leaders for a bad decision, 9:18, the leaders faced the situation and solve the problem properly, not like king Saul, years later, who broke this treaty and suffered with disastrous results as we read in II Samuel 21 last year. In short, leaders decisions are important and they need vision for right decision. A bad leader, like king Saul, makes his people suffer. That is why we need to pray for God to establish godly leaders to live peaceful lives to glorify God. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Deut 7:1-6 2 and when the LORD your God delivers them before you and you defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them. 6 "For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. God told the people not to make covenants with those in the land. The disobedience of Joshua was from the cunning deceit of the Gibeonites. The Gibeonites tricked them into believing they were from a far away land. Because of their flattering ways, Joshua and the leaders gave in and made a covenant with them. 2) After realizing their error, the leaders made the Gibeonites servants (wood choppers, and water carriers) for the Tabernacle. We can draw from this that no matter how bad the oath made, we should not break it. This is why Christ said let your yeah be yeah and your nay, nay do not make oaths. 3) We see later in Joshua that the Gibeonites would be attacked by the other neighbors who were upset at their trickery to create a covenant. In 2 Sam 21 Saul had sought to kill them to purge them from the land, and David gives them recompense when he allows them to have Saul's house save Mephibosheth. In 2Chr1:1-13 they appear again in reference to the high place established as a spot for the Tabernacle in Gibeon under Solomon's reign. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Joshua) CHAPTER 10 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Usa a map briefly to clarify in your mind the events described here. In what ways is this chapter an interesting sequel to chp 9? What lessons had Joshua and Israel learnt? 2) These things 'were written down for our instruction'(1Cor 10:11) What examples can we follow? See verses 6ff.;16-22;24, 25;26-40;42;and cf PS 15:4 and Col 3:5. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Deuteronomy) Chapter 10 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- The territory J. overtook was, I'm just guess-timating from looking at my Bible map, at least 200 miles N to S. Only with GOD can one do that militarily! The lesson I take from this chapter is short and sweet - Eph. 3:20, "NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO IMMEASURABLY MORE THAN ALL WE ASK OR IMAGINE, ACCORDING TO HIS POWER THAT IS AT WORK WITHIN US, TO HIM BE GLORY IN THE CHURCH AND IN CHRIST JESUS THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS, FOR EVER AND EVER, AMEN!" How much land would your faith allow God to overtake through you? More than 200 miles? God is ABLE! :) -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Joshua 10 The Long Day; When Gibeon asked for help, Joshua did not hesitate - moved quickly and marched all night to help G. And HE slew them with a great slaughter. Then, the LORD threw large stones from heaven on them. More killed by hailstones than by sons of Israel. It is God who fight against the five kings of Amorites. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky, because of J's prayer before and in the sight of Israel. What a faithful man and powerful prayer. This is the way Israel conquered southern Palestine. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) This chapter is the chapter of the miraculous military events. The first one is the hail and sword destroying the Amorites. Next we see the sun and moon stand still. Chp 9 shows a military bungle in accepting a covenant with the Gibeonites. Chp 10 is a military success and shows the people's trust in God. 2) 1 Cor 10:11 says: 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. We can take the lessons from Chp9 and see them applied in Chp 10. Trust in the Lord is the key. These victories allowed them to capture the 'Southern Kingdoms' of the promised land. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Joshua) CHAPTER 11-12 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Again the aid of a map is needed to follow this summary of a war which lasted several years. WHich area is covered here? To what causes was Joshua's final victory due? 2) Note the verses which point out the finality and harshness of the treatment which Joshua carried out. WHy was this necessary? What spiritual lesson can we learn from this? Cf MT 18:8,9; Col 3:5. 3) Meditate on the statement at the end of Chapter 11 in the light of the continued conflict in chps. 13ff. See esp 13:1. In what ways does this history provide encouragement and challenge to us today? Cf the order and progress of Rom 6-8. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Deuteronomy) Chapter 11-12 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- Hazor was far north of Gilgal, Jericho and Jerusalem. Israel had drastically increased their conquered land. Joshua took the land and gave it as an "inheritance" to the tribes of Israel. It's interesting to recall how Moses blessed each tribe individually, and had finally inherited their own spaces of land. Ch.11 last verse is significant, "Then the land had rest from war." Imagine the peace after the blood bath! We also need to REST after accepting Jesus, because we should no longer try to gain our salvation by good works: Heb 4:8, "For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work..." Heb. 4 is a wonderful chapter that celebrates the Sabbath-rest found in JESUS. It correlates powerfully with this verse in the book of Joshua. The Israelites only had Joshua, but we have the true Savior - Jesus, and true rest from vain attempts to gain salvation. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Joshua 11 and 12 Northern Palestine Kings Were Defeated In Central and South Palestine, the incredible miracles of Jordan River Divided, Fall of Jericho Wall, the Staying Sun and the Hailstorm showed God's power to kill the enemies. In Northern Palestine, Canaanites fight with horses and chariots. The Lord commanded J. "….. you shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire." 11:6. So it was done when Northern Palestine kings came together at the water of Merom, Joshua's men hamstring the horses by cutting the tendon of the joint in the hind leg and burned their chariots. It was the Lord to harden their hearts to meet Israel in battle in order that they might utterly destroy them, 11:20. 11:22 "There were no Anakim left in the land of the sons of Israel; only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod some remained." Anakim were the giants who were so feared by the twelve spies, Num. 13:33. Gaza - samson pulled down the roof of a temple and killed many Philistines; Gath - the home of Goliath, the giant killed by David; Ashdod - The site where the Philistines brought the Ark of Covenant after capturing it, I Sam. 5:1-7. It is at the north end of Dead Sea and next to Mediterranean, a military and commercial center. Ashdod means fortress. It was the site of a temple to Dagon. Joshua 12 is a list of the kings defeated by Israel. II Corinthians 10:4 "for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses." -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) In these chapters, we see the conquest of the Northern Kingdoms. In the South, the Israelites attacks were sparked by the covenant with the Gibeonites. This led to many uprisings and battles with neighboring tribes. The Northern campaign is a bit different. The Israelites used shock tactics and hit and run attacks to cripple the chariots and horses of their enemies. It was a series of well laid out military strikes short and quick. Joshua's final victory was due to obedience to the Lord's commands and following His instructions by the book. In our daily struggles and wars against things not created by flesh and blood, we too need to turn to God's Word and to follow it completely and wholly. 2) The description of utter destruction seems brutal, but that was what the Lord had commanded them. Joshua carried this out to the last man being struck with the edge of the sword. This was necessary so that there would be no temptation to follow strange gods and the immoral lifestyles of the inhabitants of the land. We too need to cut off those things in our lives which would cause us to turn away from God and limit their effect upon our lives. 3) This chapter shows the end result of v15,23 of chp11: 15 Just as the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses. 23 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 divisions by their tribes. Thus the land had rest from war. May we too not leave anything undone that the Lord commands us and may we enter into His rest when the battle belongs to the Lord. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Joshua) CHAPTER 13:1-15:12 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) 13:1-7 Consider how exactly the Lord amplifies the statement at the end of 13:1. Are there in your life blessings promised to us in Christ which are not yet posssessed, and remaining enemies to be subdued? Ask Him to reveal them to you with similar precision. 2) Note the inheritance given to the different tribes and individuals; notice particularly the contrast between Levi and Caleb, and the reasons given for each. With 14:6-13, cf Num 13:17-14:10. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Deuteronomy) Chapter 13:1-15:12 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- Even in his old age, the Lord said to J, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over." It is an excellent example of how God expects even those who think they are "retired" to do work for Him. Imagine how faithful Caleb was, waiting for 45 years to receive his inheritance - Hebron! What is your Hebron? May the Lord give us the patience and strength to wait for our inheritance. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Joshua Chapter 13:1 - 15:12 Deeds Records of the Tribles Now, Joshua is old and there are still some unconquered lands of Canaan, 13:1-7. However, God told Joshua to divide the land for their inheritance. 13:8 - 33 shows the settlement on east of the Jordan; the geographical boundaries, 13:8 - 13 and tribal boundaries, 13:14 - 33. The portion that Moses promised Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh tribes to possess. 14:1 - 19:51 identified the boundaries for the western tribes. Chapter 14 is so called "the sunshine chapter". It shows Caleb's faith shines like the sun. Caleb represented the Tribe of Judah came to Joshua and asked for the land he spied 40 years ago, even there were still "giants (Anakim)" living there in. 15:1-12 is the deed description of Judah's territory. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 13:1-15:12 -------------------------------- 1) In this first portion, the Lord is very specific in revealing the remaining direction that He has for the people's possession of the land. In our lives, we too have things that we see as remaining to be possessed or had. Enemies that we need to conquer. May God reveal these things to us in such detail as is described here. 2) Each of the tribes was given a particular portion. The tribe of Levi was not given an inheritance, for the service of the Lords was theirs. Also, for his faithful service, Caleb was given land in Hebron. What a blessing for Caleb to enjoy in his old age for his faithful service to the Lord. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Joshua) CHAPTER 15:13-17:18 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Is your environment as unpromising as the arid, giant-ridden Negeb seemed to Achsah? If so, Compare her attitude with Lk 11:13 and Phil 4:19, and be thankful! 2) Whose inheritance is described in today's section? What attitudes were shown by the tribes and by Joshua? Why were the people of Joseph not praised as Caleb had been(14:13), when they made a particular claim to territory? 3) Using a concordance, study the character of Ephraim. Do you agree with Ellicott's statement that 'They were constantly asserting their right to the supremacy in Israel, without exhibiting any qualification for it'? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Deuteronomy) Chapter 15:13-17:18 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- Caleb recognized and responded to Acsah's requests for land in the Negev, as well as springs of water. She was an assertive woman. There is no indication that God was displeased with her request. She received the land and springs that she wished for. God does not appear to intervene in these dealings where the people of Joseph ask Joshua for more land. Joshua instructed Ephraim and Manasseh (the house of Joseph) to v18, "Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours, though the Canannites have iron chariots, and though they are strong, you can drive them out." It was the people's responsibility to fight for the land, but God would ultimately give them success as His chosen people. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Joshua 15:13 - 17:18 The First Settlement Done at Gilgal In 15:19, there is a case that Caleb's only daughter (Chronicles 4:15), Achsah, greedily asked for more land. Actually, her request appeared to be very reasonable; in the desert land it would be desirable to have a spring. Chapter 16 has its biblical meaning. It recorded the deeds of the inheritance of Joseph's children. Manasseh is half Hebrew and half Egptian. He and his brother Ephrain were Jacob's Gentile descendants. 16:10 "they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites live in the midst of Ephraim to this day, and they became forced laborers" (NAS). In KJV, it was translated as "and serve under tribute." 17:3 - 6 Manasseh's great great grandson, Zeloph, had five daughters and no son. The daughters came to Joshua and asked for land. Without the women's request, Zeloph's name would be disappeared from the inheritance list. With in- depth study of Bible, it would be helpful to know how and when to take appropriate actions. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 15:13-17:18 -------------------------------- 1) Acsah was not content with what God had supplied and wanted more. Her attitude needed to follow Phil 4:19 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. May we each one adopt this attitude versus the one adopted by Acsah of not having enough or not being satisfied with that which God has provided. 2) This section shows the apportioning of land for the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim - Joseph's sons. When they complained abou t not enough land, it was partially due to the fact that they had not cleared the land, unlike Caleb who was faithful and to whom Joshua granted his request with a blessing. When we possess what the Lord has given to us, we must remember to follow His direction and also to come with the right attitude to give thanks to Him. 3) Ephraim wanted more control in Israel although they never did give the justification for this greater recognition. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Joshua) CHAPTER 18-19 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) With 18:3, cf Heb 4:1. What attitude is Joshua's pointed question designed to correct? See Heb 6:11,12. 2) What evidence do you find in these chapters that God's promised blessings in Christ, though ours already by God's gift, are claimed and experienced only through the fight of faith, resolute action, and steady progress? Cf 2 Pet 1:4-11;1Tim 4:13-16. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Deuteronomy) Chapter 18-19 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) With 18:3, cf Heb 4:1. What attitude is Joshua's pointed question designed to correct? See Heb 6:11,12. 2) What evidence do you find in these chapters that God's promised blessings in Christ, though ours already by God's gift, are claimed and experienced only through the fight of faith, resolute action, and steady progress? Cf 2 Pet 1:4-11;1Tim 4:13-16.