STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF JOSHUA
Lets meet Joshua!! ( Study No. 1)
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Joshua, Joshua,
take
courage, be strong ;
Cross over Jordan, take Israel along,
Conquer the nations where-ever you go
** Starting
with the walls of Jericho !
Joshua, Joshua,
settle twelve tribes,
Tell them what to do !
Keep Gods Laws or else theyll lose
Suffer woe
and get the blues
Joshua, leader of Israels band
Into the Promised Land.
(
Tune : Jingle Bell Rock !)
.
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INTRODUCTION
(a) The Importance of the Book of Joshua
Lets remind ourselves that All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable
!( 2 Timothy
3:16.) And that includes the Book of Joshua.
J.Oswald Sanders went so far as to write ,
In my opinion, no book in the Old Testament is more helpful in teaching lessons
of spiritual relevance to the Christian life.
(b) The Geography of the Book
of Joshua
It is important to familiarize yourself with
where the events of this Book take place.
Have
a map handy !!
..
(c) The Background of the Book
of Joshua.
God promised
certain land to Abraham and his descendants
Genesis 15:18
On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said,
"To your descendants I give this land,
from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates.
But
the promise was conditional upon the Israelites being obedient to Gods
Law.
Deuteronomy
28: 15 However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not
carefully follow all his commands and decrees
. . 20 The LORD will send on you curses, confusion and
rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to
sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him. [1] 21
The LORD will plague you with diseases until he has destroyed you from the land
you are entering to possess
49 The LORD
will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like
an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not understand, 50
a fierce-looking nation without respect for the old or pity for the young
.. 52
They will lay siege to all the cities throughout your land until the high
fortified walls in which you trust fall down. They will besiege all the cities
throughout the land the LORD your God is giving you
Then
came the Egyptian bondage
years of slave labour under the cruel taskmasters.
Moses eventually leads them out of Egypt
and Gods Old Testament people were
on their way home to the Land of Canaan.
The Book of Deuteronomy tells of Moses preaching three sermons to this
people before they cross over Jordan
and of his death. And thats where the
Book of Joshua takes up the story.
TIME LINE
Creation
. Abraham
Egyptian Bondage
. Moses
. Joshua
King David
? 2000 B.C. 1450 B.C. 1400 B.C.
1000 B.C.
( Dates are
approximate )
(d) The Outline of the Book of Joshua
The
theme of this Book is the Conquest of
the Land. At the time it was occupied
by various idolatrous nations. In his
sermon Moses had told them
Deuteronomy 7: 1
When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering
to possess and drive out before you many nations-
the Hittites, Girgashites,
Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites,
seven nations larger and
stronger than you-
2and when the LORD your God has
delivered them over to you and you have defeated them,
then you must destroy
them totally. [1]
Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy.
3 Do not
intermarry with them.
Do not give your
daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons
OUTLINE
Entering the Land
Chapters 1-3
Conquering the Land
Chapters 4-12
Dividing the Land
Chapters 13-21
Joshuas Farewell
Chapters 22-24
.
(e) The Criticisms of the Book
of Joshua
Most critics are quick to condemn this
slaughter of the Canaanite tribes.
Others are convinced the story told herein
contradicts the story told in the Book of Judges.
And
there are those who see problems with the various miracles (especially the account of the sun standing still !
Joshua 10:12)
Then
there is the problem of Rahab ?
described as a woman of faith in the New Testament (Hebrews 11:31) but
who is guilty of telling a deliberate lie !(Joshua 2:6-9)
All
these apparent problems we will tackle as we come to them.
.
( 1 ) THE PROBLEMS JOSHUA FACED !!
You
think youve got problems ! For
that matter, who knows what problems
loom in the year ahead about which we know nothing
yet ! The opening verses of Joshua give us a
Recipe for happiness, prosperity and success !
(a) The Problem of Leadership.
Joshua
1:1-8 After the death
of Moses the servant of the LORD, the
LORD spoke to Joshua, Moses' assistant:2"Moses my servant is
dead. Get going
...
A new unproven leader takes over
just at a
critical time. How the nation must have wished the great Moses was still with
them. He had led them out of Egypt, wrought miracles , been a prophet and a
statesman.
But
Joshua ? Was he able to step into the role of leadership and lead them to
victory ?
..
(b) The Problem of the Enemy.
Deuteronomy 7:1 seven nations larger and stronger than you-
And,
for the most-part, they were a war-like
people.
They
lived in great walled cities , the like
of which the Israelites had never seen before !
Twelve
spies who had previously entered the land
reported back that
Numbers 13: 27
"We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk
and honey!
Here is its fruit. 28
But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and
very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.
29 The
Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the
hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan."
"We can't attack
those people; they are stronger than we are."
32
.
"The land we explored devours those living in it.
All the people we saw
there are of great size.
33 We saw the
Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like
grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."
The sons of Anak were men of great size
which could mean giants
abnormally tall
or it could simply mean they were way over six feet whereas the Israelites (
after years of bondage ) were much
smaller in height.
(c) The Problem of the Israelites !!
In
contrast, the Israelites are untrained in warfare, out-numbered in military
might ,
dwarfed in height and discouraged in spirit.
Caleb, one of the twelve spies had said:-
Numbers 13: 30 "We should go up and take possession
of the land, for we can certainly do it."
31 But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack
those people;
they are stronger than we are."
32 And they spread among the
Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored.
..
(d ) The Problem of the
Season !!
Just to add to Joshuas problems
the River Jordan was in flood.
( Joshua 3: 15)
A
mighty un-crossable torrent, twelve
miles wide !! ( Bakers Bible Atlas )
..
(2) THE PROMISES JOSHUA RECEIVED .
(a) He was assured of Gods Presence.
Joshua 1:2-6, 9 Cross this Jordan River, you
and all the people. Cross to the country Im giving to the People of Israel. 3Im
giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot onjust as I
promised Moses. 4From the wilderness and this Lebanon .. east to the Euphrates Riverall the
Hittite countryand then west to the Great Sea. Its all yours. 5All
your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was
with Moses, Ill be with you. I wont give up on you; I wont leave
you.
6Strength! Courage! You are
going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their
ancestors
9 Strength! Courage! Dont be timid; dont
get discouraged.
The LORD your God is
with you every step you take.
..
(b) He was reminded of Gods
Precepts
Joshua 1:7-8! 7
Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Law
that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Dont get off track, either
left or right, so as to make sure you get to where youre going. 8And
dont for a minute let this Book of The Law
be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you
practice everything written in it. Then youll get where youre going; then
youll succeed.
Remember
The possession of the Land was
conditional ! The breaking of the Law
God gave to the Israelites through Moses would spell disaster.
And
here is likewise a New Testament principle for victory.
Not that the Christian
is bound
by the Old Testament laws ( unless they are repeated in the New Testament. Some are.
Some are not.)
But
we are under law to Christ. ( 1 Corinthians 9:21) and obedience to His commands results in
spiritual blessings.
..
CONCLUSION .
Read Joshua 1:8 again
for such
is our recipe for a joyful , prosperous
( spiritually prosperous, that is !) and successful Christian pilgrimage.
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Joshua
This is Your Life ! ! ( Study No. 2)
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INTRODUCTION There are a
number of interesting events in the life of Joshua that demand our attention.
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|
(1) Joshuas Scandalous Ancestors ! |
1 Chronicles 7: 20
Ephraim's sons Ezer and Elead were killed trying to steal
livestock from the local farmers near Gath. 22Their father,
Ephraim, mourned for them a long time, and his relatives came to comfort him
25Ephraim's line of descent was Rephah,
Resheph, Telah, Tahan, 26Ladan, Ammihud, Elishama, 27Nun,
and Joshua.
So the Chronicler tells us that Joshuas ancestors included a
bunch of cattle rustlers !
But wicked forbears offer no such excuse for not being the kind of person God wants us to be.
..
(2) Joshuas Slavery.
He had been born in
Egypt. No doubt he felt the lash of the cruel taskmasters more than once. (
Exodus 1:11) His death, at the close of the book which
bears his name, is recorded as being at
the age of 110 years. Deduct from that
the 30 or so years covered by the Conquest of Canaan and deduct another 40
years for the wilderness wanderings
and you can estimate that he was about 50
years of age when the Exodus took place.
.
(3) Joshuas Salvation.
As a result of the slain
Passover lamb and the blood applied to the doorposts , Israel was delivered
from bondage. ( Exodus 12:3-7) Out they marched through the Red Sea, on their way to the land that God had promised to Abraham.
All of which becomes a type
a Divinely
designed illustration
of our salvation.
The unsaved person is described as a slave to
sin ( Romans 6:20)
but salvation was provided by the death of the Lord Jesus
, our Passover Lamb ( 1 Corinthians 5: 7)
and those who trusted Him were baptized ( symbolized by the passing
through the waters of the Red Sea ) and
on their way to Canaans fair and happy land. Canaan is not a type of Heaven
but of the victorious Christian Life.
The life more abundant as Jesus promised His disciples. ( John
10:10)
The Apostle Paul describes three types of
people in the sight of God .
There is the natural man
. the unsaved
person
. The one who has never been delivered from spiritual bondage to sin. (
1 Corinthians 2:14) Then there is the
spiritual man (KJV i.e. mature )
the one who is living a victorious Christian
life. ( 1 Corinthians 2: 15)
But Paul describes his readers
although they
are Christians
as carnal ( KJV i.e. worldly)
squabbling like naughty
children.
1 Corinthians 3: 1Dear brothers and sisters,[1] when I was with you I couldn't talk
to you as I would to mature Christians. I had to talk as though you belonged to
this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life.[2] 2I had to feed you with
milk and not with solid food, because you couldn't handle anything stronger.
And you still aren't ready, 3for you are still controlled by your
own sinful desires. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other.
Doesn't that prove you are controlled by your own desires? You are acting like
people who don't belong to the Lord. ( NLT )
The
Christians at Corinth were out of Egypt
but not into Canaan. And it is
sad to say that, like them , many
Christians get stuck in the wilderness
and fail to enter in to the place of blessing.
(4) Joshuas
Spirit-indwelling.
Numbers 27 : 15Then
Moses said to the LORD, 16"O LORD, the God of the spirits of
all living things, please appoint a new leader for the community. 17Give
them someone who will lead them into battle, so the people of the LORD will not
be like sheep without a shepherd."
18The LORD replied, "Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit
in him, and lay your hands on him.
As Joshua is appointed the successor to Moses , we are told the
Spirit of God indwells him. And this is
true of every Christian. ( Romans 8:9)
But although we may be born of the Spirit
not every believer
has crossed over Jordan into the land of promise
a type of being filled with the Spirit of God
( Ephesians 5:18)
Crossing the River Jordan into Canaan is not a picture of physical death
as many a Negro Spiritual suggests , but of crucifying our sinful nature that we might enjoy all the blessings God has for us.
Galatians 5: 24Those
who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful
nature to his cross and crucified them there.
..
(5) Joshuas Servanthood
During the 40 years in
the wilderness he became the servant of Moses.
Exodus 33:11Inside
the Tent of Meeting, the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man
speaks to his friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young
man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, stayed behind in the Tent of Meeting.
So it is we are to be servants of the One of whom Moses becomes a
type.
* Moses was
delivered from death whilst still an infant. ( Exodus 1:22)
* He was hidden in
Egypt. ( Exodus 2:3)
* He left the
splendour of the palace to save his people. ( Exodus 2:15.)
* He took unto
himself a Gentile bride. ( Exodus 2:21)
* He acted as a
shepherd. (Ex. 3:1)
* He gave his
people water to drink . (Exodus 17. 6)
* He interceded for
his people. ( Exodus 17 : 11)
* He was willing to
give his life to save his people ! ( Exodus 32:32 )
* He was a
Prophet.(like unto the coming Messiah)(Deuteronomy 18:15)
Notice how Paul , Peter, James , Jude and John all describe
themselves as servants of the Lord Jesus.
( Romans 1:1 ; 1 Peter 1:1 ; James 1:1 ; Jude 1:1 ; Revelation 1:1.)
..
(6) Joshuas Student
Days
He was learning from his
mistakes
and his masters wise guidance.
* In Exodus 32: 15-18
Joshua mistakes the noise at the foot of Mnt. Sinai as warfare. No, says
Moses, it is wild revelry!
If Joshua is going to be the
Leader of Israel after the death of Moses , he must learn to have a discerning
ear ! And if we want to be used in our
Masters service , we,too, need a discerning ear. Take heed what
you hear ! said the Lord Jesus. ( Mark 4:24 KJV)
* In Numbers 11:25-29
Joshua displays a critical spirit. He tells Moses to forbid Eldad and Medad
prophesying in the camp. It is a
reminder to us that the Lord can minister through other servants of His , even
though they may not belong to our Denomination !!
.
(7) Joshuas
Soldiering !
Even in the battle against
the Amalekites , he was learning that the victory was not in his efforts
but
in the place of prayer.
Exodus 17 : 10So
Joshua did what Moses had commanded. He led his men out to fight the army of
Amalek. Meanwhile Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of a nearby hill. 11As
long as Moses held up the staff with his hands, the Israelites had the
advantage. But whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites gained the upper
hand.
Christians, likewise, are involved in spiritual warfare. And as
we gird on the gospel armour we are to be praying always ( Ephesians
6: 18) for therein lies the place of victory. Each piece put on with
prayer as the hymn-writer
expressed it.
Instead of Holding the Fort
we should be attacking the enemy and seeing the gates of Hell prevail
not before us.
Joshua did not march into Canaan and confront the enemy singing ,
Hold the Fort !
But he would have sung verse 2 of Onward Christian Soldiers
At the Name of Jesus , Satans
host doth flee,
On then , Christian soldiers, on
to victory !
Hells foundations quiver at the
shout of praise
Brothers, lift your voices, loud
your anthems raise !
..
CONCLUSION
The life of Joshua is
fraught with instruction for every child of God. May we take to heart the lessons he teaches us.
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3-2-1- Go !! ( Studies in Joshua No.
3)
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INTRODUCTION Joshua is told to get
ready to strike camp and lead the
Israelites into Canaan. Joshua
1: 10Joshua then commanded the
leaders of Israel, 11"Go through the camp and tell the people
to get their provisions ready. In three days you will cross the Jordan River
and take possession of the land the LORD your God has given you." (NLT )
But first we must meet 3 tribes ( two and a
half tribes to be more precise !)
2 spies
and one woman
! Then theyll be ready to go !!
THE THREE TRIBES
Joshua 1: 12Then Joshua called together the tribes of Reuben,
Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
These Israelites saw the lush, fertile land East of
the river Jordan and had no desire to
cross into Canaan and inherit some land
there. The matter had been
previously raised with Moses. ( Numbers
32:1,5,20-33)
Was it a matter of comfort before duty on their part ? Did they desire to avoid battle with the tribes across Jordan ?
Where
duty calls or danger
be never wanting there !
And there was both duty & danger across
the river Jordan ! Joshua tells them
1:
13"Remember what Moses, the servant of the LORD, commanded you:
`The LORD your God is giving you rest and has given you this land.' 14Your
wives, children, and cattle may remain here on the east side of the Jordan
River, but your warriors, fully armed, must lead the other tribes across the
Jordan to help them conquer their territory. Stay with them 15until
the LORD gives rest to them as he has given rest to you, and until they, too,
possess the land the LORD your God is giving them. Only then may you settle
here on the east side of the Jordan River in the land that Moses, the servant
of the LORD, gave you." To this they agree
16They answered
.. 17We will obey you just as we obeyed
Moses. And may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses. 18Anyone
who rebels against your word and does not obey your every command will be put
to death. So be strong and courageous!" (NLT.)
There is
no shirking of responsibility on their part. They will assist their fellow
Israelites conquer Canaan before settling East of the river.
..
(2) THE TWO SPIES
Faith writes J. Sidlow
Baxter, does not despise means. So
Joshua sends two men to spy out the land. A few miles away, across Jordan , is the
walled city of Jericho. They enter
Jericho surreptitiously and find that the enemy is more scared of the
Israelites than visa-versa ! And this they report back to Joshua.
2:23Then the two
spies came down from the hill country, crossed the Jordan River, and reported
to Joshua all that had happened to them. 24"The LORD will certainly
give us the whole land," they said, "for all the people in the land
are terrified of us."
.
(3) THE ONE WOMAN
Rahab !
(a) Her City
Jericho.
This was excavated by Professor John Garstang in 1927. However, twenty three years later Kathleen
Kenyon excavated the same site and argued that the Jericho Garstang had found
did not coincide with Joshuas day ! Scholars still argue the matter.
If Garstang is right , the
Exodus must have taken place about 1450 B.C.
If Kenyon is right , the date was 1230 B.C.
(b) Her Profession
a prostitute. 2:2."
So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and
stayed there that night. But Rahab had come to
realise the God of Israel was greater than the idol gods of Canaan
and she hides the spies .
..
(c) Her Lie !!
Asked by the servants of
Jerichos King whether the spies were there, she lies
2: 4Rahab, who had hidden the two men, replied, "The men
were here earlier, but I didn't know where they were from. 5They
left the city at dusk, as the city gates were about to close, and I don't know
where they went. If you hurry, you can probably catch up with them." 6(But
she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them beneath piles of flax.) 7So
the king's men went looking for the spies along the road leading to the shallow
crossing places of the Jordan River.
Commentators
differ as to whether Rahabs lie was justified. Some point to the many verses
of Scripture that condemn lying. Exodus 20:16;Proverbs 6:16;Revelation
21:8. etc. etc !!
Honesty, according to the Word of God , is not the best policy
it is
the only policy !
Or is it ? For other Bible
scholars see Rahab caught between two
evils
Tell the truth and see the spies captured ( and probably put to death)
or tell a lie and save them . Of course, she was not an Israelite and had probably never heard of the Ten
Commandments
and thats an easy
solution to the problem. But what should be the reply of a Christian put in a
similar situation ? Is lying ever
justifiable ?
(d) Her Knowledge
2:8Before
the spies went to sleep that night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk with
them. 9"I know the LORD has given you this land," she told
them.
The faith she has is based upon knowing the Lord , ( note that she
calls Him LORD i.e. Jehovah !) and what He has done
. 10For
we have heard how the LORD made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the
two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely
destroyed. 11No wonder our
hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such
things. For the LORD your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and
the earth below.
A great confession from the lips of this converted prostitute ! It is one thing to know the truth
it is
another thing to act upon it.
(e) Her Plea
2: 12Now swear to me by the LORD that
you will be kind to me and my family since I have helped you. Give me some guarantee
that 13when Jericho is conquered, you will let me live, along with
my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families." The
spies promise her deliverance and ask that she hang a scarlet cord from the
window of her house.
2: 21"I
accept your terms," she replied. And she sent them on their way, leaving
the scarlet rope hanging from the window.
Perhaps the
colour scarlet was chosen that it might be easily seen hanging on the city
wall. But many a preacher has seen here an illustration of gospel truth. Just
as the Israelites in Egypt had sheltered under the blood of the lamb , so
Rahab shelters behind the scarlet cord. And so, today , the only place of
safety from the Judgement to come is to find security in the sacrifice of the
Lord Jesus
.
His dying
crimson, like a robe, Spreads oer His
body on tree,
Then I am dead to all the globe, And all the globe is dead to me.
( Isaac Watts )
(f)
Her Marriage !!!
H. Halley points out that Rahab married an Israelite named Salmon. ( Matthew 1:5 Salmon was the father of Boaz. The
mother of Boaz was Rahab. ) Caleb had a son named Salmon. (1 Chronicles 2: 50 These were the descendants of Caleb.
The sons of Hur the firstborn of Ephrathah:
Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim, 51 Salma (
i.e. Salmon ) the father of
Bethlehem
) It may have been the same Salmon !!
( H.Halley ) Caleb had been a faithful spy in his
younger days so it well may be that
Joshua sent Calebs son to spy out Jericho
Rahab had saved his life
he had
popped the question
and she became an ancestress of the Lord Jesus !
Well
its a happy theory to wind up a fascinating story.
.
CONCLUSION So it is the story of Joshua continues to teach us lessons relevant to our Christian
pilgrimage.
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Crossing Jordan ..(
Study No. 4)
.
INTRODUCTION
The
time has come. In spite of all the
problems that lay before them , it is time for the Israelites to
prepare for their crossing of
the Jordan River
. And their entry into the land of Canaan.
Joshua 3: 9So
Joshua told the Israelites, Come and listen to what the LORD your God says. 10Today
you will know that the living God is among you. He will surely drive out the
Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and
Jebusites. 11Think of it! The Ark of the Covenant, which belongs to
the Lord of the whole earth, will lead you across the Jordan River! 12Now
choose twelve men, one from each tribe. 13The priests will be
carrying the Ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth. When their feet touch
the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will pile
up there in one heap.
It
is interesting to note that history records a landslide upstream caused the
Jordan to cease flowing in 1927. It may well be God used such means on this
occasion.
The
miracle lies in the fact that it took place just as the priests stepped into
the water.
The
reason for choosing the twelve men ( in vs. 12) will become apparent later in
our study. In the meantime, notice the factors that would lead Israel to a
place of blessing and victory.
..
(1) A UNITED PEOPLE !
Joshua 3:
1Early the next morning Joshua and all the Israelites left
Acacia and arrived
at the banks of the Jordan River, where they camped before
crossing
The
tribes of Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh desired to stay East of
Jordan .
(
Joshua 1:12-18) But they will help
their brethren conquer the Canaanites first, then return to settle there. All Israel are about to cross over. There is
unity among them.
Division in the church is worse than war ! Well
spake the Roman Emperor, Constantine,
in 325 A.D !
And
so, too, does the Apostle imply as he mentions the need for unity in every
chapter of Philippians. ( 1:27; 2:2; 3:15; 4:2;) One of the reasons the early Church saw remarkable results was
because they were of one accord. ( Acts 2:1; 2:14; 2:43-44; 2:46 ;)
* But notice that the Israelites did not join
forces with the Moabites and Ammonites to invade Canaan. There is a doctrine of Separation in the
Scriptures as well as a Doctrine of Unity !
We
do not join forces with those who reject the Saviour and deny His Word.
..
(2) A GUIDED PEOPLE
Joshua 3: . 2Three
days later, the Israelite leaders went through the camp 3giving
these instructions to the people: "When you see the Levitical priests
carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD your God, follow them. 4Since
you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you. Stay about a half
mile behind them, keeping a
clear distance between you and the Ark. Make sure you don't come any
closer."
They
are to keep their eyes on the Ark of the Covenant
a symbol of the LORD ! The distance of half a mile will enable
everyone to see it.
So it is we advance
Looking unto Jesus
( Hebrews 12:2)
(3) A PREPARED PEOPLE
Joshua 3:5Then
Joshua told the people, "Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD
will do great wonders among
you."
(a) There is
military preparation
spies have been sent to check out Jerichos
defences.
And
have reported back that the people of the land are more scared of the
Israelites than vice-versa ! ( 2:24)
(b)
There is personal preparation
. a
putting away of those things that will hinder blessing. Purify yourselves ! ( vs. 5)
Sin
must be dealt with. Colossians
3:5-9 is but one example of a New Testament
reminder that such a command applies to Christians also.
Colossians 3: 5So
put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do
with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires. Don't be greedy for the
good things of this life, for that is idolatry. 6God's terrible
anger will come upon those who do such things. 7You used to do them
when your life was still part of this world. 8But now is the time to
get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9Don't
lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old evil nature and all its
wicked deeds.
(4) A FAITH-FILLED PEOPLE .
The priests carry the Ark to the centre of
the dry river bed ( where a few minutes before a rushing torrent had seemed
un-crossable !) and there they stand until all Israel passes over.
Were
they scared the waters would return unexpectedly ? Were those Israelites last to cross over a-wondering if they
would be drowned half way across ?
Maybe not ,for they were trusting Gods Word, and He is not a man that
He should lie. ( Numbers 23:19)
If
they had trusted their feelings
few may have dared to cross into Canaan. But
trusting God is a firm foundation.
Feelings come and
feelings go,
And feelings are
deceiving;
My trust is in the
Word of God,
Nought else is
worth believing !!
Joshua 4
:10The priests who were carrying the Ark stood in the middle of the river
until all of the LORDs instructions, which Moses had given to Joshua, were
carried out. Meanwhile, the people hurried across the riverbed. 11And
when everyone was on the other side, the priests crossed over with the Ark of
the LORD.
And
then the Jordan resumed its flowing.
Whew !
.
(5) A REMINDED PEOPLE
Now the twelve previously chosen men have a
task to perform.
Joshua 4:4So
Joshua called together the twelve men 5and told them, "Go into
the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the LORD your God. Each of you
must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder--twelve stones in all,
one for each of the twelve tribes. 6We will use these stones to
build a memorial. In the future, your children will ask, `What do these stones
mean to you?' 7Then you can tell them, `They remind us that the
Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the LORD's covenant went across.'
These stones will stand as a permanent memorial among the people of Israel."
An
altar ( or perhaps a circle) of stones taken from the dry river bed is erected west of Jordan. The place is
called Gilgal. ( 4:19)
It
will be a memorial to future generations of Israelites that the Lord had
brought them back to the land He had promised to Abraham. We are so prone to forget the Lords
blessings that memorials have their place.
See the sequence of events again
.
*Israel
was free from Egyptian bondage, thanks to the blood of the Passover lamb. Likewise we are saved from the bondage of
sin and Satan by the Blood of the Lamb of God , the Lord Jesus.
*We,
too, are united in Gods family , guided by His Spirit , called to be holy and
trust His Word .
* We pass through the waters of Baptism
. as the passing through the Jordan
was a way of saying goodbye to the
old way of life .
Romans 6:4For
we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised
from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may
live new lives.
*
And the Lords Supper is our memorial to what the Lord has done for us.
1 Corinthians 11: 25
Do this in remembrance of me as often as
you drink it."
26For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you are announcing
the Lord's death until he comes again.
..
CONCLUSION
Dr.
H. Ironside comes up with an interesting thought based on Joshua 3:14 -16
14When the people
set out to cross the Jordan, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the
Covenant went ahead of them. 15Now it was the harvest season, and
the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests
who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river's edge, 16the
water began piling up at a town upstream called Adam
,
And
when the Saviour died He stemmed the flood of Judgement upon sinful mankind
all the way back to Adam. ( and Eve ! )
Salvation
for the Old Testament saints was not because of the animal sacrifices they offered , sacrifices that could never take away sin ( Hebrews
10:4), but because of Calvary and the
perfect sacrifice there offered. Those
Old Testament saints looked forward to the Cross of Christ
in faith
just as
we who are Christians look back to it.
Every
soul from Adam to the last soul saved on Earth who will one day walk the
streets of Glory will do so because the Lord rolled back the billows of
Judgement for them
all the way back
to Adam ! And they placed their faith
in Him ! ( John 3:16)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Joshua fit de battle of Jericho
(no. 5)
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
INTRODUCTION
Some Bible stories are very well known
Jonah & the whale,
David & Goliath, Noahs Ark
and that of the Walls of Jericho that came a-tumblin down !
But not everybody has
learned the lessons connected with that Biblical incident !
..
BACKGROUND
Just prior to the conquest of Jericho , Joshua goes on a scouting
expedition
only to be confronted by an unexpected warrior
Joshua 5: 13 And it
came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and
looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in
his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for
our adversaries?
14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of
the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did
worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant?
15 And the captain of the LORD's host said unto
Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest
is holy. And Joshua did so.
Joshua is about to learn that the LORD is in charge of his army . And Jericho will be conquered by the LORDS methods , not his.
Israels
army will march in silence around Jericho for 6 days ( with the ark of the
Covenant , the symbol of their God )
then 7 times on the 7th. Day.
This will be followed by a shout from all the people and a blast on the
rams horns at Joshuas command.
Joshua 6: 16 And it came to
pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said
unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.
And the walls
of Jericho collapsed ! ( 6:20)
(1)
ISRAELS PREPARATION
(a) The rite of circumcision , the
outward sign of belonging to Gods Old Testament people, had been neglected
since they left Egypt 40 years previous.
So Joshua re-institutes the ceremony.
Joshua
5:7 And
their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for
they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way.
8 And it came to pass, when they had done
circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till
they were whole.
( b) The Passover feast had
likewise been neglected in spite of the Lords command that it was to be
remembered annually. This, too, the
people of Israel now observe.
Joshua
5:10 And
the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the
fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
No uncircumcised person was
to partake of this feast. Such was Gods law.
Exodus 12: 48 And
when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the
LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it;
and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person
shall eat thereof.
The New Testament compares circumcision ( the outward evidence of being one of Gods Old Testament people ) with Baptism , ( the outward evidence of being one of God;s New Testament people.) The Old Testament ceremony meant the cutting away of literal flesh, the New Testament ceremony has to do with putting to death the flesh ( i.e. the sinful nature.)
Colossians 2:11When
you came to Christ, you were "circumcised," but not by a physical
procedure. It was a spiritual procedure--the cutting away of your sinful
nature. 12For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized.
And with him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power
of God, who raised Christ from the dead.
But more than that , the Old Testament memorial of Israels salvation from Egyptian bondage by the blood of the lamb is the Passover. The New Testament memorial for Gods people today is the Lords Supper , reminding us of our deliverance from the bondage of sin and Satan by the blood of the Lamb.
Only those bearing the outward sign of belonging to Gods O.T. people could partake of the Passover.
* Does that imply that only those who are baptized should
come to the memorial supper today ? Think
about it
...
..
(2)
JOSHUAS FAITH
Saying Goodbye to his plans and wandering
silently around Jericho with his army for 6 days
must have tested Joshuas
faith. And patience. But God had said
it
he believed it
and that settled it. Faith is based upon the
Word
of God
and proves its reality by obedience.
Paul
speaks of the obedience of faith ( Romans 16:26 KJV).
Thats
what Joshua displayed
and so should we.
(3)
JERICHOS DESTRUCTION
Joshua 6:20 So
the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to
pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted
with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up
into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
Different
suggestions have been made as to why the wall collapsed. It may be God used natural means
an
earthquake perhaps , or the thump of the feet of Israels army set up
vibrations that undermined the foundations.
Or the weight of Jerichos puzzled population all crowding upon the
walls to see the strange spectacle of Israels silent army. Whatever, God
worked a miracle that it happened at the exact time the rams horns blew
and the people shouted.
* The conquest of Jericho is a reminder that
Gods people today can accomplish
victory over the forces of Darkness. Our weapons are prayer and the
Scriptures and an obedient faith
2 Corinthians 10:3For
though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The
weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they
have divine power to demolish strongholds.
(4)
RAHABS DELIVERANCE The spies, previously sent by Joshua, had found refuge in her
house. She hid them from the King of Jerichos servants and helped them escape.
By means of a scarlet cord they were let down from her window.
She had confessed to them that she believed
Jehovah was the true God and asked for
a sure sign that they would save her
when the Israelites returned to destroy the city.
Joshua 2:11
.
the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. 12
Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my
family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign
The sure sign was to be the scarlet cord hanging from her window . a picture of the blood of Christ behind which we find salvation from the judgement to come.
(a) Note her urgency in assuring herself
of this salvation
The
spies said to her
Joshua 2: 18
when we enter the land,
you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down,
and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your
family into your house. 19 If anyone goes outside your house into
the street, his blood will be on his own head; we will not be responsible. As
for anyone who is in the house with you, his blood will be on our head if a
hand is laid on him.
. 21
"Agreed," she replied. "Let it be as you say." So she sent
them away and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.
Notice
they said when ( vs. 18)
but
she put the cord in the window as soon as they left. (21) After all, she did not know when Joshua and
his men would be coming. She was ready
all the time.
* We dont know when our Heavenly Joshua shall
return like a thief with His angelic host.
Be ready all the time. Shelter today behind the Saviours sacrifice !
(b) Note her urgency in telling others that a place of safety from
the coming judgement had been provided.
By the time Israel conquered the city of Jericho , Rahab had others safe
behind the scarlet cord.
Joshua 6: 25 And
Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that
she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the
messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
Her
obedient faith was rewarded. And others who believed her witness were delivered
too. * Rahab teaches us a double truth
the need to be ever ready ourselves, and our responsibility to bring others
to the One who died to save them.
So the Book of Judges proves more to be than
interesting, ancient history. These things were written to teach us who belong
to Gods people today vital spiritual truths.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Problems and Prophecy in the Book of Joshua.
( Study No. 6)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
INTRODUCTION As we continue our survey of the book of Joshua, it might be a
good time to tackle some of the problems therein that delight the critics and
oft-times puzzle the Christian.
..
(1) THE PROBLEM OF
CIRCUMCISION
as taught by the
Paedo-Baptists. ( i.e. those who baptize infants. )
In our previous study we
suggested that whereas the Old Testament
Passover meal had its
counterpart in the Lords Supper of the
Christian era , likewise circumcision in ancient Israel was the forerunner of
baptism in the Church.
The outward sign of belonging to literal Israel was circumcision.
The outward sign of belonging to Gods
people today ( the Church ) is baptism.
Paedobaptists make much of this fact. Five books before me, written by those who advocate the baptism
of babies , emphasise this fact.
For example Marcus Loane in Infant Baptism and Immersion
writes , The argument from the historical analogy between circumcision and
baptism is so strong that the only way to confute it is to deny the existence
of the analogy altogether. (p.11)
The difference between these
writers and Baptists is that they carry over the Old Testament ceremony by
applying baptism to babies
whereas those who practice believers baptism
apply it to babes in Christ.
When one becomes a member of Gods family today
by faith in
Christ
then one becomes a spiritual baby, born again into Gods family, ( John 3:3 ) and should be baptized as the outward sign
that it is so.
Baptism does not make one a part of Gods family. It does not regenerate an infant ( or anyone ) as the Anglican Prayer Book says. Nor should the omission of baptism disqualify an infant from a Christian burial service in spite of
the Prayer Books directive to that end . ( p. 388.)
We are born again by faith in Christ
and baptism is the public
confession of that faith
the sign
that we belong to Him and His church.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
(2) THE PROBLEM OF THE SIZE OF THE ISRAELITE ARMY
Exodus 12:37 speaks of 600, 000
fighting men. The reference would be to those between the ages of 20 and
50. Similar numbers are given when a
census is taken of the tribes as they
commence their wilderness wandering
(Numbers 1:46)
.
And 38 years later .. (Numbers 26:51) Add to that the tribe of
Levi ( who had no fighting men, but served as priests and priestly helpers,)
and the mixed multitude that accompanied out of Egypt (Exodus 12:38), plus
the wives and children and aged folk
And flocks and very much cattle (
Exodus 12:38) and we have a huge
make
that HUGE
number of people.
Walk thru the Bible Ministries suggested 3,500,000 ! Others seek
to bring it down to 2,000,000. Whatever
it is an incredible number of
refugees from Egypt heading back to the land of Canaan.
Nobody is denying that God could accomplish such
and meet their
daily needs.
He is able to provide a table in the wilderness. ( Psalm 78:19)
But not all evangelical Bible scholars agree with such large
numbers. There are inherent problems with the figure of 3,500,000 or even
2,000,000,
* How do you find a camping place in the mountainous Sinai
peninsula 12 miles square to accommodate such a vast multitude?
* How do you fit them between the Jordan River and Jericho when
they all crossed into Canaan and camped at Gilgal ?
*How did they all get across the Red Sea in one night. (Exodus
14:20-24)
* How did the 600,00 armed
men march around Jericho without tripping over each other !!! Jericho was a
small walled city that you might walk
around in 20 minutes .
* And how did the sanitation problem work out for those who had to
go outside the camp
if they had to run 5 or 6 miles to get there ? (Deuteronomy 23:12-13)
* And how explain the words of Moses that God would lead them into Canaan
to drive out
nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou art, .. .( Deuteronomy 4:38 )
After all , archaeologists tell
us that the whole population of Canaan would be about one million.
* Again , in Deuteronomy 7:7-8
we read ,
6 For
thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen
thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the
face of the earth.
7 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor
choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the
fewest of all people:
8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he
would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought
you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from
the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
(a) The Hebrew word for
thousand may originally have meant tent groups .
(b) Or the word translated thousand may have changed its meaning
over the centuries. Just like the English word let once meant hindered ( as
in tennis terminology) but today means
permitted !
Those who hold to a smaller number of Israelites do so not to
discredit the miraculous but to discover what the original Hebrew text really
said
or meant ! Besides , if
Israel only had 6,000 fighting men ( instead of 600,000 ) the miracle of
conquering Canaan is all the greater.
This is not questioning the INSPIRATION of the Scripture but
seeking to understand the correct INTERPRETATION of the obvious problem.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
(c) THE PROBLEM OF THE
SLAUGHTER OF THE CANAANITES .
Atheists and Liberal theologians
join forces to attack the morality of the massacres recorded in the Book of
Joshua. Moses had commanded the Israelites
When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest
to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and
the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and
the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than
thou;
thou shalt smite them,
and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy
unto them: (Deuteronomy 7:1-2)
And thats what happened . When they conquered Jericho
Joshua 6:20
the people shouted when the priests blew
with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the
trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down
flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him,
and they took the city.
21 And they utterly destroyed all that was in the
city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the
edge of the sword.
Again
Joshua 10:26
Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged
them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening
..
28 And that
day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king
thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that were therein; he let
none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the king of
Jericho.
29 Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel
with him, unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah:
30 And the LORD delivered it also, and the king
thereof, into the hand of Israel; and he smote it with the edge of the sword,
and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain in it; but did unto the
king thereof as he did unto the king of Jericho.
And so it goes
31 battles of savagery and slaughter until the Israelites possess the land.
Bishop (!) Bromley Oxnam went so far as to imply that Jehovah was
a dirty bully. (A Testament of Faith.p.
12)
But in reply to the wild
accusations of the critics, two things
must be said.
(a) Archaeology , as well as
Scripture, has revealed the debauchery of these people.
Immorality
of all kind
was
rampant .
Leviticus 18:22"Do not practice
homosexuality; it is a detestable sin.
23"A man must never defile himself by having sexual intercourse
with an animal, and a woman must never present herself to a male animal in
order to have intercourse with it; this is a terrible perversion.
24"Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this
is how the people I am expelling from the Promised Land have defiled
themselves. 25As a result, the entire land has become defiled. That
is why I am punishing the people who live there, and the land will soon vomit
them out. 26You must strictly obey all of my laws and regulations,
and you must not do any of these detestable things. This applies both to you
who are Israelites by birth and to the foreigners living among you.
27"All these detestable activities are practiced by the people
of the land where I am taking you, and the land has become defiled
The people and animals were riddled with disease. And just
as a surgeon amputates a leg to save
the rest of the body, so God commanded the extermination of these
Canaanites. What kind of a God would He
have been had He not done so ?
(b) There is another aspect to be considered
the fact that God
gave these people
an opportunity to repent and turn to Him ! They knew of His greatness
Joshua
2:9 And she ( Rahab ) said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath
given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all
the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up
the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did
unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon
and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
11 And as soon as we had heard these things,
our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man,
because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth
beneath.
Rahab repented . And so did the Gibeonites ( in chapter 9).
But the rest chose to fight
against Israel
and Israels God.The slaughter of the Canaanites was avoidable
had they repented
but needful because
they didnt.
(4) THE PROPHECY OF JOSHUA
Joshua 6: 18 And
ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make
yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of
Israel a curse, and trouble it.
19 But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of
brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the
treasury of the LORD
..
24 And they
burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the
gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the
house of the LORD
..
26 And
Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD,
that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation
thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of
it.
Jericho is not to be plundered
( 18-19) nor rebuilt.(26) And he who seeks to rebuild it will see two of his
children die !
For 500 years Jericho lay
unbuilt. No wall surrounded the inhabitants who later settled there. But King Ahab came to the throne , about 850
B.C and
1 Kings 16:34 In
his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof
in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son
Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of
Nun.
Learn
that the prophecies of
Gods Word always come to pass. Maybe
not immediately. But eventually.
And learn that it is unwise to
build again what God has forbidden. Old
habits from pre-conversion days must be avoided , old friendships that once led
into sin need to be forsaken , frequenting places associated with the
unconverted state that do not help ones spiritual growth is no longer
acceptable
to do so is rebuilding
Jericho. The past life is to be buried
and not rebuilt ! It is a sad day
when those who have professed faith in Christ
return to the old way of life.
Let him that standeth take heed
lest he is snared into
rebuilding his Jericho.
..
CONCLUSION
So the Book of Joshua continues to teach us lessons for our
Christian pilgrimage.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Joshuas Folly !!
( Study No. 7)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
INTRODUCTION
Jericho has fallen
and now Joshua turns
his attention to the nearby city of Ai.
..
(1) ISRAEL IS DEFEATED.
A report from his spies leads Joshua to send just a small contingent of his total fighting force.
Joshua 7: 3When they returned, they told
Joshua, "It's a small town, and it won't take more than two or three
thousand of us to destroy it. There's no need for all of us to go there."
4So approximately three thousand warriors were sent, but they were
soundly defeated. The men of Ai 5chased the Israelites from the city
gate as far as the quarries, and they killed about thirty-six who were
retreating down the slope. The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at this turn
of events, and their courage melted away.
Likewise it is folly to underestimate the strength and the wiles of our enemy, the Devil. Even the archangel, Michael, didnt feel confident about taking him on !!
(Jude vs. 9-10 !)
It is not always true that Each victory will help you some other to win.
Sometimes a victory may lead to self-confidence rather than the acknowledgement that without the Lords help and guidance, we can do nothing. ( John 15:5)
(2) JOSHUA IS DESPAIRING.
Joshua casts himself down in prayer. He prays to the right God. He prays in the right manner. He prays with the right words. He prays at the wrong time !! He should have prayed before the attack on Ai !
Notice how his prayer proceeds from a rather shaky, complaining beginning to a triumphant conclusion.
Joshua
7:7Then
Joshua cried out, "Sovereign LORD, why did you bring us across the Jordan
River if you are going to let the Amorites kill us? If only we had been content
to stay on the other side! 8Lord, what am I to say, now that Israel
has fled from its enemies? 9For when the Canaanites and all the
other people living in the land hear about it, they will surround us and wipe
us off the face of the earth. And
then what will happen to the honour of your great name?"
This defeat of Israel will inspire confidence in the tribes of Canaan
and
instil fear in the hearts of his people.
But it will also bring the Name of the Lord into disrepute among the
heathen ! ( vs. 9b)
A victorious Christian life will cause others to see our good works and glorify God!
( Matthew 5:16) But a defeated ,miserable Christianity will cause the Name of God to be blasphemed among the unbelievers. ( Romans 2:24)
.
(3) JEHOVAH IS
DOGMATIC !
Joshua is told to stop praying !!!
Joshua 7:10But the LORD said to Joshua,
"Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? 11Israel has
sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen the things that I commanded to
be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them; they have also lied
about it and hidden the things among their belongings. 12That is why
the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel has
been set apart for destruction. I will not remain with you any longer unless
you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction.
13"Get up! Command the people to purify themselves in
preparation for tomorrow.
There is sin in the camp ! Someone has plundered gold and garments from Jericho!
And the Lord had said that Jericho was not to be plundered. ( Joshua 6:18-19)
If Joshua had prayed before the attack on Ai he would have known that .
The guilty person must be brought to justice, and put to death, before victory at Ai can be accomplished. Sin is the enemy of a victorious life.
(4) ACHAN IS
DISCOVERED.
By means of the Urim and Thummin ( Numbers 27:21) or by casting lots (Joshua 18:10) the culprit is discovered.
Joshua 7: 20Achan
replied, "I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. 21For
I saw a beautiful robe imported from Babylon,[4]
two hundred silver coins,[5]
and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound.[6] I
wanted them so much that I took them. They are hidden in the ground beneath my
tent, with the silver buried deeper than the rest."
The stolen articles are found in his tent implying that his family were a part of this crime and all are put to death.
Joshua 7: 24Then Joshua
and all the Israelites took Achan, the silver, the robe, the bar of gold, his
sons, daughters, cattle, donkeys, sheep, tent, and everything he had, and they
brought them to the valley of Achor. 25Then Joshua said to Achan,
"Why have you brought trouble on us? The LORD will now bring trouble on
you." And all the Israelites stoned Achan and his family and burned their
bodies.
..
(5) AI IS DESTROYED
Joshua , Chapter 8, tells of a renewed attack on Ai and the strategy used.
Joshua 8: 3So Joshua and
the army of Israel set out to attack Ai. Joshua chose thirty thousand fighting
men and sent them out at night 4with these orders: "Hide in
ambush close behind the city and be ready for action. 5When our main
army attacks, the men of Ai will come out to fight as they did before, and we
will run away from them. 6We will let them chase us until they have
all left the city. For they will say, `The Israelites are running away from us
as they did before.' 7Then you will jump up from your ambush and take
possession of the city, for the LORD your God will give it to you. 8Set
the city on fire, as the LORD has commanded. You have your orders."
Thirty thousand Israelite warriors are stationed secretly behind Ai, whilst Joshua and 5,000 show themselves in front. The men of Ai chase Joshuas men only to find the 30,000 have attacked and destroyed their undefended city.
It is worth noting that Joshua stands with his spear raised throughout the battle,
(vs.26) as did Moses lift his rod during the war with the Amalekites. ( Exodus 17:1)
The uplifted rod of Moses .. and spear of Joshua remind us that the battle is won in the place of prayer .
(6) ACHOR IS DISPELLED !
In other words , the Valley of Achor ( Joshua 7:24) meaning Trouble can be transformed into a Highway of Hope ! Thats what the Lord says as He describes the redemption of His unfaithful wife, Israel
Hosea 2
14 "Therefore I am now going to allure her;
I will lead her into the desert
and speak tenderly to her.
15 There I will give her back her vineyards,
and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.
There she will sing as in the days of her youth,
as in the day she came up out of Egypt.
16 "In that day," declares the LORD ,
"you will call me 'my husband';
you will no longer call me 'my master.
'
.
19
I will betroth you to me forever;
I will betroth you in] righteousness and justice,
in love and compassion.
20 I will betroth you in faithfulness,
and you will acknowledge the LORD .
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
CONCLUSION
To those who repent and confess their sin and turn to Him , the valley of trouble
(Achor) is dispelled and all is joy and peace in His keeping.
So Joshua and his men found it to be.
It is interesting that C.J.Ellicot in his commentary tells us that the valley of Achor runs from Jericho to Jerusalem i.e. from the city of destruction to the city of God. ( p.121) So it is the sinner who turns to the Saviour leaves his Achor and begins his Homeward pilgrimage !
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
(
Studies in Joshua No. 8)
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
(1) The Deceitfulness of the Gibeonites.
The Hivites
who lived in the city of Gibeon less than 20 miles
away from the Israelite camp
were one
of the Canaanite tribes destined for destruction.
But they hatched a plan
to deceive the Israelites
and live!
Joshua 9: 3 However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had
done to Jericho and Ai, 4 they resorted to a ruse: They went as a
delegation whose donkeys were loaded
with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. 5
The men put worn and patched sandals on their feet and wore old clothes. All
the bread of their food supply was dry and mouldy. 6 Then they went
to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel, "We
have come from a distant country; make a treaty with us
' 12 This bread of ours was warm
when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how
dry and mouldy it is. 13 And these wineskins that we filled were
new, but see how cracked they are. And our clothes and sandals are worn out by
the very long journey."
Joshua believed their lie
and entered into a treaty with them.
The New Testament continually
warns of this very danger. False
teachers abound.
The Lord Jesus said ..
(Matthew 24 : 4) Take heed that no man deceive you.5 For
many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive
many
. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive
many
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false
prophets, and shall
show great signs
and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive
the very elect .
The Apostle Paul warned of deception.
2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and
worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
And John adds his
warning. 2 John vs 7 ..
many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus
Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Evangelist Billy
Graham writes Thousands of uninstructed Christians are being deceived
today ! ( World Aflame p. 88)
Dont be gullible! Prove all things! (1 Thessalonians 5:21) Like the Christians in Berea, we are to search the Scriptures
to see if what you are being told agrees with Gods Word. (Acts 17: 10-11)
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
(2) The Neglect of Joshua
There have been a number of obedient acts of Joshua thus
far described in the Book that bears his name.
He crossed over Jordan River at the Lords command in spite of innumerable dangers and
difficulties, he re-instituted the Passover feast which was long neglected, he
submitted to the Lords curious strategy for conquering Jericho and he renewed the covenant on Mounts Ebal
and Gerezim ( Joshua 8:31-35)
Joshua 8: 33 And
all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this
side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the
ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among
them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against
mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that
they should bless the people of Israel.
34 And afterward he read all the words of the law,
the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of
the law.
35 There was not a word of all that Moses
commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel,
with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant
among them.
But Joshua seems to have had one defect
an Achillies
heel
a weak spot in his spiritual
life. He neglected to seek the Lord prior to the attack on Ai. ( Joshua 7:4-11)
And he neglects to seek the
Lord before entering into a treaty with the men of Gibeon !
Joshua 9: 14 The men of
Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD .
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
(3) The Illustration of the Gospel .
Like so many Old Testament
stories we have here an illustration of
Gods great salvation.
(a) SCARED
the Gibeonites feared for their lives.
Joshua 9: 24
They answered Joshua, "Your servants were clearly told how the LORD your
God had commanded his servant Moses to give you the whole land and to wipe out
all its inhabitants from before you. So we feared for our lives because
of you, and that is why we did this.
Sometimes it is the story of Gods love that draws the sinner to
Christ , but others are motivated by a realization that judgement is coming. ( Jude vs. 22-23)
(b) SEEKING Seek ye the Lord whilst He may be found cried the
prophet. (Isaiah 55:6)
And thats what the men of Gibeon did. They came to Joshua .
Today, the sinner needs to come to Jesus and there is no deceiving Him
as to whether one is sincere or not !
( c) SAVED
Joshua made a treaty
(a covenant KJV) that resulted in
their salvation from physical death.
Joshua 9: 26 So
Joshua saved them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them.
The Lord Jesus made a new covenant that results in eternal
life for those who place their faith in Him.
Note the commitment made by the Gibeonites
the same requirement
required by those who come to the Saviour
25 We are now in
your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you."
(d) SERVING
The Gibeonites are appointed certain tasks.
Joshua 9: 27 That day he made the Gibeonites woodcutters and water
carriers for the community and for the altar of the LORD at the place the LORD
would choose. And that is what they are to this day.
2
Chronicles 1:3 So Solomon, and all the congregation
with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the
tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had
made in the wilderness.
The Gibeonites
serving as
priestly helpers at the Tabernacle of the Lord !
Better to be a doorkeeper
in the house of the Lord than to dwell in the tents of wickedness !! ( Psalm
84:10)
..
Conclusion In the next chapter Joshua
defends the Gibeonites from the attack of
enemy
tribes
and the most curious miracle in the Bible takes place !
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
When
the Sun stood Still
or did it
??
(
Study No. 9)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Joshua 10: 12 On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel,
Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel:
"O sun, stand still over Gibeon,
O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon."
13 So the sun stood still,
and the moon stopped,
till the nation avenged itself on its enemies
( NIV Trans )
..
It was in the early 1970s that Howard Hill dropped a bombshell
in Christendom by announcing that
scientists from NASAs space agency had verified a day was missing in the worlds history. Over twenty accounts of
this are pasted in my scrapbook
from America, England , Singapore ,
Australia. It was printed in
respectable magazines such as the Bible Societys Sower, Christian
Literature Crusades Floodtide, Prophetic
Witness ( U.K. ) ; Evangelical
Press News Service
and even twice in New Life
2/7/1970 and 5/10/1989 !) You
will even find this story on the
Internet
today. This is almost too fantastic to believe says one Editor,
but its true.(Inner Witness 12/ 74 )
.
(1) AN EVIL CONFEDERACY The Gibeonites, who had tricked Joshua into
making a covenant with them (Ch. 9) now find themselves under attack by five
Amorite tribes led by Adoni-Zedek.
Joshua 10: 5 Then the five kings of the
Amorite s the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon joined
forces. They moved up with all their troops and took up positions against
Gibeon and attacked it.
.
(2) AN URGENT CALL They call upon Joshua to deliver them.
Joshua 10: 6 The Gibeonites then sent word to Joshua in the camp at
Gilgal: Do not abandon your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us! Help
us, because all the Amorite kings from the hill country have joined forces
against us.
(3 ) A DIVINE CONSOLATION The Lord promises to give the Israelites the
victory !
Joshua 10: 7 So Joshua marched
up from Gilgal with his entire army, including all the best fighting men. 8
The LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into
your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you."
Notice, incidentally , that
they marched
no horses !
And it was a 20 mile journey , up-hill! They probably ran most of the way !
..
(4 ) A VICTORIOUS
CONFLICT
Jehovah, the God of Israel
, fights against the Amorites. Great
hailstones decimate the foe.
Joshua 10: 9 After an all-night march from Gilgal,
Joshua took them by surprise. 10 The LORD threw them into confusion
before Israel, who defeated them in a great victory at Gibeon.
11 As they fled
before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the LORD hurled large
hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hailstones
than were killed by the swords of the Israelites.
(5) THE EXCITING CLIMAX The five Amorite kings escape the slaughter
and take refuge in a cave. But their
hiding place is discovered .. and they are brought before Joshua
Joshua 10 :24
he summoned all the men of Israel and said
to the army commanders who had come with him, "Come here and put your feet
on the necks of these kings." So they came forward and placed their feet
on their necks.
This ancient custom symbolized
utter humiliation and defeat. It is
alluded to in Psalm 110:1 where we are told the Day is coming when the Messiah
our Heavenly Joshua
will put all His enemies under His feet. And we who are
His followers will share in the victory
Romans 16: 19Everyone has heard
about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise
about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
20The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
..
(6) THE INCREDIBLE
COMMAND
Joshua 10: 12 On the day the LORD
gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of
Israel:
"O sun, stand still over Gibeon,
O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon."
13 So the sun stood still,
and the moon stopped,
till the nation avenged itself on [2] its enemies,
as it is written in the Book of Jashar.
The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full
day. 14 There has never been a day like it before or since, a day
when the LORD listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!
15 Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal.
(a) There are those who hold to the view that the Sun literally
stopped for about a full day. And no Christian would deny God could do
that if He so desired. Joshua, they say
, wanted the daylight to continue so the Amorites could not escape in the
darkness.
(b) On the other hand there
are good Biblical scholars who maintain Joshua was pleading for the
darkness to continue
to gain the advantage of a surprise night
attack.
(c) And there are those who
see the whole thing as a poetical description of the hailstorm.
* These verses are a quotation from the Book of Jasher
and it
is in the style of Hebrew
poetry.
* It is comparable to Judges 5:20 where the poet writes the stars
fought against Sisera. What really happened at that time was a thunderstorm.
But poets do not always say things as clearly as historians !
* The translation of Sun,
stand still, is better rendered , Sun, be silent ! ( ASV )
Joshua is simply asking for
his men to escape the heat of the day
and God replied with a hailstorm. The
miracle was that the hail stones only killed the Amorites !
* If the Sun literally stood
still it is strange that this gigantic miracle is never referred to again in
all of Scripture.
* Joshua 10: 43 may lend support to this view :-
43 Then Joshua returned
with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal.
This is identical with Joshua 10: 15.
Consider the following
scenario
HISTORICAL POETICAL
Joshua 10: 1-11
Joshua 12:12-16
Including
his return to
Gilgal
Joshua 10: 17-43.
Including his return to Gilgal.
..
CONCLUSION
Whichever interpretation one adopts concerning the sun standing
still , it is clear that the Gibeonites knew what to do when they were in
trouble
they went to Joshua for help. And when we are in trouble, there is
One to whom we can flee for refuge, even our Heavenly Joshua.
And there is no proof of Harold Hills claim that a computer found
evidence concerning the sun literally
standing still !
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Miscellaneous Matters in the Book of
Joshua
( Study No. 10)
.
INTRODUCTION In this study
we will consider a number of issues
relating to the conquest and dividing of the Land of Canaan.
In Joshua 1-5 we saw Israel preparing to Enter the Land. * In Chapters
6-11 they Conquer the Land. There are three campaigns. First, the central cities , Jericho,
( Ch. 6) Ai ( Ch. 7-8) and Gibeon ( Ch.9)
Then, secondly, was the conquest
of the five southern kings and their armies ( Ch. 10)
and, thirdly, the northern Canaanite tribes are defeated. ( Ch.
11) A
summary of all these victories is given in Chapter 12.
Then came the Dividing of the
Land among the 12 Tribes.
Chapter 13 has to do with the 2 and a half tribes East of Jordan River.
Chapters 14-19 tell of the 9 and a half
tribes West of Jordan. The Tribe of Levi
gets no land but is appointed 48 cities scattered throughout the nation
. ( Joshua 21:41)
(1) A Lesson in
Inspiration. Lists of the
names of cities , such as we find in Joshua 12 can seem boring and unimportant
to modern day readers. For example
Joshua 12:16 The
king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one;
17 The
king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;
18 The king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon,
one;
19 The king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one;
20 The king of Shimronmeron, one; the king of
Achshaph, one;
21 The king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo,
one;
22 The king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam of
Carmel, one;
23 The king of Dor in the coast of Dor, one; the
king of the nations of Gilgal, one;
24 The king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty
and one.
But whilst it may not be as important for
us as , say Romans or Ephesians
, yet it was important for those early
Israelites. All Scripture is equally inspired , not all is equally important to different people at different times in
history. Notice, however, in the 116
cities given to the Tribe of Judah ( Josh. 14-15 ) that Bethlehem doesnt even
rate a mention. Yet it was to this obscure place the Saviour came.
Notice,
too, that 31 victories are listed. ( Josh. 12:24) Not about 30.
Every victory is itemized and precious in the sight of
God.
(2) A Lesson in Archaeology. The spade of the
archaeologist has done much to
verify the Scripture account.
(a) Hazor
( Josh. ) was one of the
greatest cities of the past with 40,000 inhabitants. Josh. 11:1When King Jabin of Hazor heard
what had happened, he sent urgent messages to the following kings: King Jobab
of Madon; the king of Shimron; the king of Acshaph; 2all the kings of
the northern hill country; the kings in the Jordan Valley[1]
south of Galilee[2] ;
the kings in the western foothills[3] ;
the kings of Naphoth-dor on the west; 3the kings of Canaan, both
east and west; the kings of the Amorites; the kings of the Hittites; the
kings of the Perizzites; the kings in the Jebusite hill country; and the
Hivites in the towns on the slopes of Mount Hermon, in the land of Mizpah.
4All these kings responded by mobilizing their warriors and uniting
to fight against Israel. Their combined armies, along with a vast array of
horses and chariots, covered the landscape like the sand on the seashore.
Professor
Garstang tell how a knowledge of the Bible actually helped him discover the
site !! But it was Yigael Yadin who excavated it nearly 30 years later. ( 1955)
( b) Hittites ( 11: 3)
are mentioned 46 times in the Old Testament. Critics used to think this an exaggeration until Professor Sayce
discovered that they were a mighty empire in Old Testament times.
(c) Lachish was conquered by the
Israelites on the second day. ( Joshua 10:32) Why the second day and not the
same day like other cities mentioned ? Archaeologists have discovered that
Lachish was protected by a double wall with a ramp between , at an angle of 35
degrees with a hard slippery surface of limestone plaster which must have been
difficult to scale. ( Cities Walled up to Heaven J.A. Thompson p. 14 )
(3) A Lesson in
Faithlessness . When the land was conquered and divided between the
tribes , pockets of enemy still remained. * The people of Judah
, for example could not conquer the Jebusites. ( Josh 15:63)
As for the
Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive
them out; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto
this day. ( Josh
15:63) * The Ephraimites just made
slaves of those Canaanites in the territory assigned to them. And
they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell
among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute. ( Josh 16:10) * Likewise the tribe of Manasseh failed to drive out the Canaanites from
their portion of land.
Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the
inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land. ( Josh. 17:12) Moses had warned that failure
in this matter would have repercussions
they will be pricks in your eyes and thorns in your side. ( Numbers 33:
55) After the death of Joshua , as revealed in the Book of Judges ,
thus it proved to be. Yet
these same tribes later decided to wage war on their own fellow Israelites who
lived east of Jordan ! ( Josh. 22:12)
There are some Christians ready to pick a fight with fellow believers ,
rather than concentrate on doing battle with the real enemy.
(4) A Lesson in
Prophecy
It is difficult
to reconcile the repeated assertions of Dispensationalists that Israel has
never occupied the land promised to Abraham. Notice Joshua 2143 And
the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their
fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.44 And
the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their
fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD
delivered all their enemies into their hand. And in his farewell speech Joshua says
Joshua 23:14 And,
behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your
hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good
things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto
you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.
It is true that they later lost the land
because of their disobedience. This is what Moses had foretold. ( Deuteronomy
28:58-64-66) And what Joshua here warned
. Joshua 23: 15 Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good
things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the
LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this
good land which the LORD your God hath given you.
16 When ye have transgressed the covenant of the
LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and
bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against
you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given
unto you.
But they certainly occupied, in Joshuas
day, and in Solomons (1 Kings
4:21), all the territory God had
promised to Abraham.
(5) A Lesson in
Faithfulness
Zelophead dies
without any male children. But Miss
Noah ( !) and her sisters stake a claim
for his land ! Normally this would go
to the son in the family. But they confronted Moses in wilderness days and received his ( and the Lords ) promise that their fathers portion of land
would pass to them. ( Numbers 27:1-8) Not only did they believe the land would
be restored to Israel and that the Canaanites would be defeated , but they now
stand on the promise of Gods word and ask Joshua to grant them their
request.
Joshua 17: 3 But Zelophehad,
. the son
of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters: and these are the names of his
daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
4 And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and
before Joshua the son of Nun,
., saying, The LORD commanded Moses to give us
an inheritance among our brethren. Therefore according to the commandment of
the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father.
5 And there fell ten portions to Manasseh, beside
the land of Gilead and Bashan, which were on the other side Jordan;
6 Because the daughters of Manasseh had an
inheritance among his sons: and the rest of Manasseh's sons had the land of
Gilead.
Standing
on the promises of God also brings its
reward for us
as it did for
these wise ladies.
..
CONCLUSION
. And believe me , there are
yet more wonderful lessons to learn from the Book of Joshua !!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Give me this Mountain !! ( Studies in Joshua 11)
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
INTRODUCTION
The land has been conquered
and in the midst of those chapters where
Joshua divides the land among the tribes, we have the inspiring story of Caleb
!
Read it carefully !
Joshua 14: 6 Now the men of Judah approached
Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him,
"You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea
about you and me. 7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of
the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back
a report according to my convictions, 8 but my brothers who went up
with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the
LORD my God wholeheartedly. 9 So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The
land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your
children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.' [1]
10 "Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive
for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved
about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! 11 I
am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to
go out to battle now as I was then. 12 Now give me this hill
country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that
the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the
LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said."
13 Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as
his inheritance. 14 So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh
the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD , the God of Israel,
wholeheartedly. 15 (Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba after
Arba, who was the greatest man among the Anakites.)
Then the land had rest from war. (
NIV translation )
In spite of the Anakim ( giants ) in the city , in spite of the
uphill climb to a walled city ,
(Hebron is over 3000 feet
above sea level) , in spite of the failure of some other tribes to defeat the
Canaanites ( Josh. 16:10, 17:12-13), in spite of his advanced age ( vs. 10) and
in spite of the fact that his father was not even an Israelite ( vs. 6.
) Caleb says Give me this mountain !!
( vs. 12. KJV) For he has come
to trust in Israels God !
..
(1) THE RIGHT OF HIS CLAIM .
Because of his wholehearted faith ( did you count the number of times
that word occurred in the above text ?)
the Lord had promised him the city of Hebron ( vs. 12) Again
count the
number of times Caleb reminds Joshua the Lord promised him this city . (
vs. 6,9,10, 12a,12b.) He was certainly
standing on the promises of God ! as recorded in Numbers 14:24.
..
(2) THE REASON FOR HIS CLAIM .
Hebron was a sacred place to Israel
it was the burial place of
Abraham and Sarah and Isaac and
Jacob. Caleb probably said to himself
, Its not right that it should be desecrated by the presence of the Anakim
! Today, however, a Moslem mosque covers this burial site.
(3) THE RESULT OF HIS CLAIM
Caleb conquered the
enemy , even the three giants who dwelt therein. ( Joshua 15:13-14)
His wholehearted faith
resulted in a wholehearted victory.
Like the Apostle Paul, he had learned to fight a good fight, finish the
course and keep the Faith even in his
twilight years. ( 2 Timothy 4:7)
(4) THE RELINQUISHMENT OF HIS CLAIM !!
Joshua 21 lists the
forty-eight cities given to the Levites. These were Gods representatives ,
scattered throughout the tribes. And among those cities is
Hebron.
Caleb had handed over his prized possession to the Lord. He was content to dwell on the outskirts of
that city. (Joshua 21: 11-12)
In the New Testament we
read of how Mary of Bethany also gave her most precious gift to the Lord. (
John 12:3)
And Isaac Watts reminds
us
Were the whole
realm of nature mine ,
that were an
offering far too small;
Love so
amazing , so Divine
demands my
soul, my life, my all.
And thats the example Caleb sets
for us.
..
CONCLUSION
Caleb was not only a
man of wholehearted faith
but of wholehearted devotion to his Lord !
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Run!! , Sinner, Run!! ( Studies in Joshua No. 12)
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
INTRODUCTION
Meet Tom , Dick and
Harry who lived in the days of Joshua.
Tom is chopping down a tree when his axe-head flies off and kills Dick. (Dick forgot to duck !)
So Dicks brother, Harry, takes off after Tom
to kill him! Such was
the Mosaic law. Tom, however, flees to an appointed city of refuge where a
trial takes place. If he is found guilty of deliberate murder, he is put to
death. But if the verdict is manslaughter, he is safe from Harry as long as he
remains in the city of refuge
until the High Priest dies. Then he may return
safely to his home. With that example
in mind, we turn to Joshua 20
( Liv.Bible Trans.)
.
Joshua 20: 1The LORD said to Joshua, 2"Now
tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed Moses. 3Anyone
who kills another person unintentionally can run to one of these cities and be
protected from the relatives of the one who was killed, for the relatives may
seek to avenge the killing.
4"Upon reaching one of these cities, the one who caused the
accidental death will appear before the leaders at the city gate and explain
what happened. They must allow the accused to enter the city and live there
among them. 5If the relatives of the victim come to avenge the
killing, the leaders must not release the accused to them, for the death was
accidental. 6But the person who caused the death must stay in that
city and be tried by the community and found innocent. Then the one declared
innocent because the death was accidental must continue to live in that city
until the death of the high priest who was in office at the time of the
accident. After that, the one found innocent is free to return home."
7The following cities were designated as cities of refuge: Kedesh of
Galilee, in the hill country of Naphtali; Shechem, in the hill country of
Ephraim; and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), in the hill country of Judah. 8On
the east side of the Jordan River, across from Jericho, the following cities
were designated as cities of refuge: Bezer, in the wilderness plain of the
tribe of Reuben; Ramoth in Gilead, in the territory of the tribe of Gad; and
Golan in Bashan, in the land of the tribe of Manasseh. 9These cities
were set apart for Israelites as well as the foreigners living among them.
Anyone who accidentally killed another person could take refuge in one of these
cities. In this way, they could escape being killed in revenge prior to
standing trial before the community.
All of which becomes a wonderful illustration of the Refuge that God has provided for us.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
(1) THE ORIGIN
It was God who appointed these cities not man. And it was God the Father who appointed His Son to be the one place where the sinner may flee for refuge from the Judgment to come. In a Messianic prophecy Isaiah foretold that day
Isaiah 32: 1 Behold, a king
shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.2 And
a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the
tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a
weary land.:
Other Refuge have I none,
hangs
my helpless soul on Thee ( Charles Wesley)
Roman Catholics often refer to Mary as Refuge for Sinners but those who fly to her are not trusting the One whom God has appointed.
(2) THE
NECESSITY
God is a Holy God. His very nature demands that sin be punished. Even now the wrath of God abideth over the sinner.( John 3:36. Read it !!)
Flee from the wrath to come ! cried John the Baptist. ( Matthew 3:7) And his warning is just as relevant in our day ( 2 Thessalonians 1: 7-9) If the sinner is to escape that coming wrath, there must be a place of refuge in which he can shelter. And at Calvary that place was provided.
(3) THE
ACCESSIBILITY
All these six cities were within a days journey no matter where one was in the Land of Israel. Jewish writers tell of roads being kept in good repair, signposts erected to point the way, the gates of the cities of refuge were ever open everything was done to enable the manslayer to escape the next of kin. Likewise God has done all he can for the sinner the Bible points the way of salvation in language clear and simple
John 3:16 For
God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
..
(4) THE
AVAILIBILITY
The salvation provided by the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus is not just for the manslayer , but even the murderer !
The
vilest offender who truly believes
that moment from Jesus a pardon receives
( Fanny Crosby)
And it is for all Jew and Gentile. ( Joshua 20:9) For me and you .
(5) THE
SECURITY
(a) Safe until the High Priest dies and our High Priest dieth no more ! ( Romans 6:9) and ( b) safe as long as we do not stray from our Refuge ! ( Colossians 1: 22-23)
.
CONCLUSION
Jesus, my hearts dear refuge , Jesus has died for me !
firm on the Rock of Ages ever my trust shall be ! ( F.Crosby.)
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The Trouble with Ed (Study No. 13) ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
INTRODUCTION
Joshua 22: 34 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad
called the altar Ed: for it shall be a
witness between us that the LORD is God.
The word Ed is Hebrew for witness
and is translated that way in most modern translations. And this Ed nearly
caused a civil war in Israel !!
(1)
AN ALTAR OF UNITY
In
Deuteronomy 16 we read that God had commanded there was to be one place
and only one
where the
Israelites were to gather to present their various sacrifices. And to observe
their three annual Feast Days.
Deut. 16: 1 Observe the month of Abib, and keep THE PASSOVER unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.
2 Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there .
5 Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee:
6 But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt .
10 And thou shalt keep THE FEAST OF WEEKS ( PENTECOST ) unto the LORD thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand .11 And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there.
13 Thou shalt observe THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine: .
15 Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: ..
16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread,(i.e. THE PASSOVER ) and in the FEAST OF WEEKS , and in THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES : and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: .
The reason for these compulsory gatherings was (a) to give thanks for the harvest and (b) to foster national unity. The twelve tribes were to remember that they were all part of Israel and not hive off into their own little separatist clique.In Joshuas day the place God chose was Shiloh. Later, when David was King , it was Jerusalem .
(2) AN ALTAR OF DISUNITY !!
(a) The Rearing After the conquest of Canaan was completed, the 2½ tribes ( Reuben , Gad and half Manasseh ) return to their God-given inheritance East of Jordan River. And on the way they rear an altar ! Joshua 22:1 Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh,
2 And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you ..
6 So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents ..
10 And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan ..
(b) The Reaction The 9 ½ tribes West of Jordan see this as disobedience to Gods Law in Deuteronomy 16. This will bring judgment upon them , they say , as happened at Peor ( where God had punished their sin with a plague ( Numbers 31:16) and when Achans sin had brought defeat in the battle at Ai.( Josh. 7) They prepare for war !! Joshua 22: 11 And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel.
12 And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them.
The High Priest, Phineas, leads a deputation of princes to confront the 2½ Tribes as to why they have built this altar.
13 And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,
14 And with him ten princes,
..
15 And they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spake with them, saying,
16 Thus saith the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the LORD?
17 Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD,
18 But that ye must turn away this day from following the LORD? and it will be, seeing ye rebel to day against the LORD, that to morrow he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel
rebel not against the LORD, nor rebel against us, in building
an altar beside the altar of the LORD our God.
20 Did not Achan
commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel?
.
(c ) The Reply
The explanation is given
it was never meant to be an altar for sacrifice. It was reared as a memorial, that the 9½ tribes would remember their brethren separated from them by the Jordan River. 21 Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the heads of the thousands of Israel,
22 The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD, (save us not this day,)
23 That we have built us an altar to turn from following the LORD 25 For the LORD hath made Jordan a border between us and you .
26 Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice:
27 But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, . that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.
28 Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should so say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say again, Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between us and you.
29 God forbid that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle.
(d) The Result
Phineas returns to the 9½ tribes and pacifies their hot headedness.
Joshua 22:30 And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake,
33 And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt.
34 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed: for it shall be a witness between us that the LORD is God. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: * A LESSON IN DISUNITY .The Lord Jesus said, Judge not that ye be not judged ! ( Matthew 7:1) And the tribes west of Jordan did just that. They imputed unworthy motives to their brethren. They jumped to a hasty conclusion. There are some things we must judge
even in this same chapter ( Matthew 7) the Lord tells us to beware of false prophets. ( 7: 15) We can judge false teaching by comparing it to Gods Word. But we cannot judge the motive in a persons heart that causes them to act in a certain manner. It is noteworthy that these 9 ½ tribes failed to conquer some pockets of the enemy in their own territory
..
Joshua 13:13 Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day.
Joshua 16:4 So the children of Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance .
10 ( but) they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute.
Joshua 17 12 the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
13 Yet it came to pass, when the children of Israel were waxen strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, but did not utterly drive them out.
but were quick to go to war against fellow believers. We have met some Christians like that
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: * A LESSON IN UNITY Christians are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28. It is because we have come to the one place that God has appointed. It is where the Saviour died and provided salvation for all who put their trust in Him. None other Lamb ! None other Name !None other hope in heaven or earth or sea !None other hiding place from sin and shame
None beside Thee !( Christina Rossetti )
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::CONCLUSION
Such is the story of Ed. It is a reminder that we must Judge not anothers motives
and a reminder that it is at the Cross,, Gods Altar , the only place of salvation is to be found. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Choose ye this day
!!( Studies in Joshua
No. 14) ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Choose ye this day whom ye will serve but as for me and my house ,we will serve the LORD!(i.e. Jehovah; the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob & Moses !!) (Joshua 24: 15. KJV )
Such is the climax of Joshuas sermon. It is a call to action
as every sermon ought to be. Josh. 24: 1Then Joshua summoned all the people of Israel to Shechem, So they came and presented themselves to God.
Notice they are not just coming to hear Joshua but to God ! Such should be the attitude of all who assemble to hear the Word of God preached each Lords Day
So the nation assembles at Shechem
it is central in the land , and also the place God spoke to Abraham (and promised him this land) when he first arrived. ( Genesis 12:4-6)
..(1) A REMINDER OF THE PAST ( 24:2-13)
2Joshua said to the people, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Your ancestors, including Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River,[1] and they worshiped other gods. 3But I took your ancestor Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him into the land of Canaan. I gave him many descendants through his son Isaac. 4To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. To Esau I gave the hill country of Seir, while Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.
5"Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I brought terrible plagues on Egypt; and afterward I brought you out as a free people. 6But when your ancestors arrived at the Red Sea,[2] the Egyptians chased after you with chariots and horses. 7When you cried out to the LORD, I put darkness between you and the Egyptians. I brought the sea crashing down on the Egyptians, drowning them. With your very own eyes you saw what I did. Then you lived in the wilderness for many years.
8"Finally, I brought you into the land of the Amorites on the east side of the Jordan. They fought against you, but I gave you victory over them, and you took possession of their land. 9Then Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, started a war against Israel. He asked Balaam son of Beor to curse you, 10but I would not listen to him. Instead, I made Balaam bless you, and so I rescued you from Balak.
11"When you crossed the Jordan River and came to Jericho, the men of Jericho fought against you. There were also many others who fought you, including the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. But I gave you victory over them. 12And I sent hornets ahead of you to drive out the two kings of the Amorites. It was not your swords or bows that brought you victory. 13I gave you land you had not worked for, and I gave you cities you did not build--the cities in which you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them.
* Notice what Joshua did say
The reference to hornets ( vs 12) has been described as raids by Egyptians, as leprosy... and as literal hornets ! Commentators differ !* Notice what Joshua did not say
that I achieved a great victory ! . He gives all the glory to God. Nor does he mention the Sun standing still
if that really happened it surely would have rated a mention. (See study notes on Joshua chapter 10.) * Notice what Joshuas Lord did ! He gave them a land they did not work for and cities they did not build. (13) And one Day when our Heavenly Joshua leads us Home to Heaven we will be able to say the same thing ! Not by works of righteousness which we have done but He saved us ! ( Titus 3:5)
..
(2) A RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PRESENT ! (vs. 14-15)
Josh. 24 14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. ( KJV) Here are four danger signals
* Beware of an Over-familiarity with our God. Fear the Lord ! (vs. 14) Not a cringing fear but a holy reverence in His presence. The angelic host cry Holy, Holy, Holy, around His throne. (Isaiah 6:3)
* Beware of Hypocrisy in sincerity (vs.14) . Not like the Pharisees who outwardly put on a religious display to be seen of men. (Matthew 6:5)
* Beware of Idolatry put away the gods (vs. 14) It could be these idols had once belonged to their ancestors and were kept as souvenirs. It is hard to believe they were being worshipped or the Lord would not have granted them so many victories. Or was secret idolatry the reason some tribes failed to conquer the Canaanites in their territory? (Joshua 15:63; 16:10; 17:12)
Paul, likewise, warns about the idolatry that may beset the Lords people
Colossians 3:5So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires. Don't be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry.
* Beware of choosing the wrong God ! ( vs. 15)
Choose ye this day whom ye will serve but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!
Joshua does not want them to shake his hand at the door and say, That was a lovely sermon! He wants them to respond faithfully to the One who saved them out of Egypt and led them to Canaan and blessed them. A lecture imparts knowledge but a sermon calls for a response.
(3) A RESPONSE THAT PUZZLES ! ( vs. 16-29, 31)
16The people replied, "We would never forsake the LORD and worship other gods. 17For the LORD our God is the one who rescued us and our ancestors from slavery in the land of Egypt. He performed mighty miracles before our very eyes. As we traveled through the wilderness among our enemies, he preserved us. 18It was the LORD who drove out the Amorites and the other nations living here in the land. So we, too, will serve the LORD, for he alone is our God."
That sounds good
but Joshua has learned to exercise discernment
.19Then Joshua said to the people, 20If you forsake the LORD and serve other gods, he will turn against you and destroy you, even though he has been so good to you." 23 destroy the idols among you, and turn your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel."
Again the Israelites promise to serve their God.
24The people said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God. We will obey him alone."
Still Joshua doubts their sincerity. Did he call for a Burning-of-Idols Day
and nobody came ? Or was it the illumination of the Holy Spirit? In any case , Joshua is right . The Book of Judges is a grim picture of the Israelites continual lapses back into idolatry after Joshuas death. (31Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the leaders who outlived him--those who had personally experienced all that the LORD had done for Israel.)
However, a two-fold reminder of their promise took place. A stone memorial was erected and Joshua adds to the Book of the Law that had previously been written by Moses.
25So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day at Shechem, committing them to a permanent and binding contract between themselves and the LORD. 26Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. As a reminder of their agreement, he took a huge stone and rolled it beneath the oak tree beside the Tabernacle of the LORD.
27Joshua said to all the people, "This stone has heard everything the LORD said to us. It will be a witness to testify against you if you go back on your word to God."
28Then Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance.
29Soon after this, Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of 110. 30They buried him in the land he had inherited, at Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash ..
..EPILOGUE ( vs. 32)
32The bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought along with them when they left Egypt, were buried at Shechem, in the parcel of ground Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor for one hundred pieces of silver.[3] This land was located in the territory allotted to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the descendants of Joseph.
Joseph had been rejected by his brethren, sold for the price of a slave, imprisoned in a dungeon , risen to the Pharaohs right hand , saved his people in days of famine, married a Gentile
there are numerous ways in which Joseph illustrates our New Testament Saviour. And when Joseph was dying he requested that he be buried in the land God had promised to Abraham. ( Genesis 50:25) So his mummified body is carried throughout the journeying of the Israelites , from Egypt to Canaan, and there finds a resting place.Dr. Ironside sees an interesting illustration here of 2 Corinthians 4: 8-10.2 Corinthians 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
Every scar Paul bore from the stoning and the beatings and the scourging
was for Jesus sake. He bore it all for Him. Paul tells us that he died daily to his own comforts and desires. ( 1 Corinth. 15:31) The great apostle would see the comparison here, between the bearing of Josephs body and his bearing the dying of the Lord Jesus during his earthly pilgrimage, much clearer than we who have never entered into such an identification with the One of whom Joseph is but an illustration. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::