Faithful Obedience: Lessons from Joshua's Conquest of Jericho
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the book of Joshua, focusing on the pivotal moment when the Israelites took Jericho. This story is often remembered for the dramatic fall of Jericho's walls, but there's so much more to Joshua's journey and the lessons it holds for us. We began by acknowledging the importance of context in understanding biblical narratives. Joshua's story is not just about a single event but a series of faithful acts and divine instructions that led to the conquest of Jericho.
We explored how God commanded Joshua and the Israelites to remember His faithfulness through acts like circumcision and celebrating Passover. These rituals were not mere formalities but profound reminders of God's promises and their identity as His chosen people. The cessation of manna and the command to eat the produce of the land signified a transition from passive recipients of God's provision to active participants in His work.
A fascinating encounter occurs when Joshua meets a mysterious man with a drawn sword, who identifies himself as the commander of the Lord's army. This encounter underscores the theme that God invites us into His work, not the other way around. Joshua's response—falling on his face and asking for instructions—exemplifies the proper posture of humility and obedience before God.
Finally, we examined the peculiar instructions for taking Jericho. The Israelites were to march around the city for seven days, culminating in a great shout that brought the walls down. This act of faith and obedience demonstrated that the victory was God's doing, not theirs. It also served as a merciful warning to the inhabitants of Jericho, offering them a chance to align with God's will.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Faithfulness and Our Remembrance: The acts of circumcision and celebrating Passover were not just rituals but profound reminders of God's promises and faithfulness. These practices helped the Israelites remember who they were and who God is, reinforcing their identity and mission. Reflecting on God's past faithfulness can strengthen our faith and commitment today. [38:58]
2. Transition from Passive to Active Participation: The shift from receiving manna to eating the produce of the land symbolizes a call to maturity. God often moves us from being passive recipients of His blessings to active participants in His work. This transition requires faith, effort, and a willingness to step into new roles and responsibilities. [48:45]
3. Encountering God with Humility: Joshua's encounter with the commander of the Lord's army teaches us the importance of humility and obedience. Instead of asking God to be on our side, we should seek to align ourselves with His will. This requires a posture of worship and a readiness to follow His instructions, no matter how unconventional they may seem. [51:06]
4. Faith and Obedience in Unconventional Instructions: The instructions to march around Jericho were strange and required great faith. This act of obedience demonstrated that the victory was God's doing. Sometimes, God asks us to take steps of faith that don't make immediate sense, but our obedience can lead to miraculous outcomes. [56:06]
5. God's Mercy and Second Chances: The seven-day march around Jericho was not just a military strategy but also an act of mercy, giving the inhabitants a chance to repent. God is a God of second chances, and He often extends grace and opportunities for us to align with His will, even when we are initially resistant. [01:05:33]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[35:19] - Introduction to Joshua Series
[37:15] - More Than Just a Story
[38:58] - God's Command to Joshua
[40:45] - God's Faithfulness and Promises
[42:25] - Circumcision and Obedience
[43:54] - The Significance of Circumcision
[45:18] - God's Covenant and Promises
[46:01] - Celebrating Passover
[47:24] - Eating the Produce of the Land
[48:45] - Transition from Manna to Produce
[49:33] - Active Participation in God's Work
[51:06] - Joshua's Encounter with the Commander
[52:33] - The Commander’s Identity
[53:15] - Parallels to Moses and the Burning Bush
[54:22] - God’s Side vs. Our Side
[55:09] - God’s Invitation to His Work
[56:06] - Instructions for Taking Jericho
[57:06] - Faith and Obedience
[01:00:43] - The Act of Faith
[01:02:35] - The Fear of Jericho’s Inhabitants
[01:04:16] - God’s Grace and Mercy
[01:07:06] - Application and Reflection
[01:12:16] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Joshua 5:2-3 (ESV) - "At that time the Lord said to Joshua, 'Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel a second time.' So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth."
2. Joshua 5:10-12 (ESV) - "While the people of Israel were encamped at Gilgal, they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening on the plains of Jericho. And the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land. And there was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year."
3. Joshua 5:13-15 (ESV) - "When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, 'Are you for us, or for our adversaries?' And he said, 'No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.' And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, 'What does my lord say to his servant?' And the commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, 'Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.' And Joshua did so."
### Observation Questions
1. What specific acts did God command Joshua and the Israelites to perform before taking Jericho? ([42:25])
2. How did the Israelites' diet change after they celebrated Passover in the land of Canaan? ([47:24])
3. Describe Joshua's encounter with the commander of the Lord's army. What was Joshua's initial question, and how did the commander respond? ([51:06])
4. What were the peculiar instructions given to the Israelites for taking Jericho, and what was the outcome? ([56:06])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why were the acts of circumcision and celebrating Passover significant for the Israelites before they took Jericho? How did these acts serve as reminders of God's faithfulness? ([42:25])
2. What does the cessation of manna and the command to eat the produce of the land symbolize in the context of the Israelites' journey? How does this transition reflect a call to maturity? ([48:45])
3. In Joshua's encounter with the commander of the Lord's army, what does the commander's response teach us about aligning with God's will rather than expecting God to align with ours? ([51:06])
4. How did the Israelites' obedience to the unconventional instructions for taking Jericho demonstrate their faith? What can we learn from their example about following God's guidance even when it seems unusual? ([56:06])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in your life. How can remembering this experience strengthen your faith and commitment today? ([38:58])
2. Are there areas in your life where you feel God is calling you to transition from being a passive recipient to an active participant in His work? What steps can you take to respond to this call? ([48:45])
3. How can you cultivate a posture of humility and obedience in your daily walk with God, similar to Joshua's response to the commander of the Lord's army? ([51:06])
4. Have you ever felt God asking you to take a step of faith that didn't make immediate sense? How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can you apply this experience to future situations? ([56:06])
5. In what ways can you extend grace and offer second chances to others, reflecting God's mercy as demonstrated in the seven-day march around Jericho? ([01:05:33])
6. How can you actively seek to align yourself with God's will rather than asking God to align with your plans? What practical steps can you take to listen and follow His guidance? ([54:22])
7. Identify one specific area in your life where you can take an active role in God's work this week. What actions will you take to participate in His mission? ([49:33])
Devotional
### Day 1: Remembering God's Faithfulness
The acts of circumcision and celebrating Passover were not just rituals but profound reminders of God's promises and faithfulness. These practices helped the Israelites remember who they were and who God is, reinforcing their identity and mission. Reflecting on God's past faithfulness can strengthen our faith and commitment today. [38:58]
Joshua 5:2-3 (ESV): "At that time the Lord said to Joshua, 'Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel a second time.' So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth."
Reflection: Think of a specific moment in your life when you experienced God's faithfulness. How can you create a tangible reminder of that moment to strengthen your faith in times of doubt?
### Day 2: From Passive to Active Participation
The shift from receiving manna to eating the produce of the land symbolizes a call to maturity. God often moves us from being passive recipients of His blessings to active participants in His work. This transition requires faith, effort, and a willingness to step into new roles and responsibilities. [48:45]
Joshua 5:11-12 (ESV): "And the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land, and there was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you have been a passive recipient of God's blessings. What steps can you take this week to become an active participant in God's work in that area?
### Day 3: Encountering God with Humility
Joshua's encounter with the commander of the Lord's army teaches us the importance of humility and obedience. Instead of asking God to be on our side, we should seek to align ourselves with His will. This requires a posture of worship and a readiness to follow His instructions, no matter how unconventional they may seem. [51:06]
Joshua 5:13-14 (ESV): "When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, 'Are you for us, or for our adversaries?' And he said, 'No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.' And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, 'What does my lord say to his servant?'"
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you sought God's support for your plans. How can you shift your focus to seeking His will and aligning yourself with His plans instead?
### Day 4: Faith and Obedience in Unconventional Instructions
The instructions to march around Jericho were strange and required great faith. This act of obedience demonstrated that the victory was God's doing. Sometimes, God asks us to take steps of faith that don't make immediate sense, but our obedience can lead to miraculous outcomes. [56:06]
Joshua 6:3-5 (ESV): "You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. And when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him."
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. Is there an unconventional step of faith God is asking you to take? How can you act in obedience, trusting in His plan?
### Day 5: God's Mercy and Second Chances
The seven-day march around Jericho was not just a military strategy but also an act of mercy, giving the inhabitants a chance to repent. God is a God of second chances, and He often extends grace and opportunities for us to align with His will, even when we are initially resistant. [01:05:33]
Joshua 6:15-16 (ESV): "On the seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times. And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, 'Shout, for the Lord has given you the city.'"
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you have resisted God's will? How can you embrace His mercy and take a step towards aligning with His plan today?
Quotes
1. "There is so much more to the life and the Scripture surrounding David than just his battle with Goliath. There is so much more to Daniel in his life than his stint in the lion's den, and there is so much more to Joshua than just this one moment in his life that we most often think of and think about when we hear his name." [37:15] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God invites us into his work, not the other way around. God invites us into his work, not the other way around. And before we get to that, before we dive in to this story in Joshua chapter 5 and 6, let's say a quick word." [40:45] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God is pushing Israel to grow from being passive recipients to being active participants, participants in his work. He's challenging them to go from just getting and receiving to saying, all right, now I want you, I'm still providing, but I want you to take part in this. I want you to join me in this work." [49:33] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus did not come to take sides. Jesus came to take over. God is saying, hey, I'm too big to squeeze into your little box. I'm too big to squeeze into your little box, into your column, into your camp that you want me to be in. Because God invites us into his work, not the other way around." [55:09] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Set aside your plans. Set aside your thoughts. Set aside all of the things that you are trying to contrive in such a way to get your way. And instead, accept what I am giving to you. God invites us into his work and not the other way around." [58:27] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Maybe God is calling you to grow from being a passive recipient to an active participant. In the same way that the people of Israel went from just receiving the manna to being active participants in gleaning the fruit of the land that God had given them, maybe you too are in a place where God's saying it's time to mature." [01:08:44] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Rather than making plans and asking God to bless them, would you be willing to sit in the middle of the room and ask God, where do you want me to go? God, what do you want me to do? and to listen, and to go wherever he leads, and this is what it means when God says, I will be with you wherever you go." [01:11:10] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "God is inviting you into his work on his terms because God invites us into his work, and not the other way around. Would you consider that and think about that wherever God may lead you this week, and today, and this morning." [01:11:50] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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