Lessons in Obedience and Divine Guidance from Joshua
Summary
### Summary
In Joshua chapter 7, we explored the consequences of disobedience and the importance of seeking God's guidance. The Israelites faced a significant setback when Achan took some of the plunder from Jericho, which was supposed to be dedicated to God. This act of disobedience led to their defeat at Ai, a smaller and seemingly insignificant city. Joshua, in his distress, sought the Lord, who revealed that there was sin in the camp. Once the sin was dealt with, God reassured Joshua and the Israelites, encouraging them to move forward with His guidance.
Joshua learned a crucial lesson about the dangers of self-confidence and the necessity of constant reliance on God. The Israelites' initial defeat at Ai was a result of their presumption and lack of consultation with God. However, after addressing the sin and seeking God's direction, they were given a new strategy to conquer Ai. This time, God instructed them to set an ambush, demonstrating His infinite variety in guiding His people.
The story also highlights the importance of hearing and believing God's Word. Joshua had to overcome his past experiences and trust in God's promise of victory. This trust led to a successful ambush and the eventual capture of Ai. The Israelites were reminded that God's plans might differ from past experiences, and they must remain open to His new directions.
Finally, the chapter concludes with Joshua building an altar on Mount Ebal, the mountain of curses, and offering sacrifices. This act symbolized the need for a blood sacrifice to overturn the curse of the law, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who redeemed us from the curse by becoming a curse for us.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Consequences of Disobedience: Achan's sin of taking what was dedicated to God led to Israel's defeat at Ai. This teaches us that disobedience to God's commands can have far-reaching consequences, affecting not just the individual but the entire community. It underscores the importance of integrity and obedience in our walk with God. [00:57]
2. The Danger of Self-Confidence: Joshua and the Israelites initially approached Ai with self-confidence, neglecting to seek God's guidance. This resulted in their defeat. We must remember that past victories do not guarantee future success without God's continual guidance. Reliance on God should be a daily practice, not a one-time event. [01:41]
3. Hearing and Believing God's Word: It's not enough to merely hear God's Word; we must believe and act on it. Joshua had to trust God's promise of victory despite his past experience of defeat. This teaches us to place our faith in God's Word over our experiences and to act in obedience to His instructions. [06:07]
4. God's Infinite Variety in Guidance: God's instructions for conquering Ai were different from those for Jericho, showing His infinite variety in guiding His people. We must remain open to new directions from God and avoid putting Him in a box based on past experiences. Flexibility and responsiveness to the Holy Spirit are crucial in our spiritual journey. [12:38]
5. The Necessity of a Blood Sacrifice: The altar built on Mount Ebal, the mountain of curses, and the sacrifices offered there symbolize the need for a blood sacrifice to overturn the curse of the law. This points to Jesus Christ, who became a curse for us and redeemed us through His sacrifice. It reminds us of the profound significance of Christ's atonement for our sins. [28:20]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:57] - The Sin of Achan and Its Consequences
[01:41] - Joshua's Mistake and the Lesson of Self-Confidence
[02:23] - The Importance of Constant Communication with God
[03:48] - God's Encouragement to Joshua
[06:07] - Hearing and Believing God's Word
[08:03] - Overcoming Experience with Faith
[09:11] - God's Promise of Victory and Reward
[11:18] - New Instructions for Conquering Ai
[12:38] - God's Infinite Variety in Guidance
[14:23] - The Ambush Strategy
[17:07] - The Capture of Ai
[20:14] - Moving Forward with God's Guidance
[23:26] - Building the Altar on Mount Ebal
[28:20] - The Significance of the Blood Sacrifice
[30:38] - Conclusion and Prayer Points
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Joshua 7:1-26 - The Sin of Achan and its Consequences
2. Joshua 8:1-29 - The Capture of Ai
3. Galatians 3:10-14 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse of the Law
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific sin did Achan commit, and what were the consequences for Israel? ([00:57])
2. How did Joshua initially approach the battle of Ai, and what mistake did he make? ([01:41])
3. What new strategy did God give Joshua for conquering Ai, and how did it differ from the strategy for Jericho? ([11:18])
4. What symbolic act did Joshua perform on Mount Ebal, and what did it signify? ([28:20])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why was it important for Joshua to seek God's guidance before going into battle, and what does this teach us about reliance on God? ([02:23])
2. How does the story of Achan illustrate the far-reaching consequences of disobedience, not just for the individual but for the community? ([05:19])
3. In what ways does the ambush strategy at Ai demonstrate God's infinite variety in guiding His people? ([12:38])
4. How does the altar built on Mount Ebal point forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ? ([28:20])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you acted out of self-confidence rather than seeking God's guidance. What was the outcome, and how can you ensure you seek God's direction in the future? ([01:41])
2. Achan's sin affected the entire community. How can you ensure that your actions align with God's commands to avoid negative impacts on those around you? ([00:57])
3. Joshua had to overcome his past experiences and trust in God's promise of victory. Is there a past failure that is holding you back from trusting God fully? How can you move past it? ([06:07])
4. God's instructions for Ai were different from those for Jericho. Are there areas in your life where you are relying on past experiences rather than being open to new directions from God? ([12:38])
5. The necessity of a blood sacrifice was symbolized by the altar on Mount Ebal. How does understanding Christ's sacrifice deepen your appreciation for His redemption? ([28:20])
6. How can you cultivate a daily practice of seeking God's guidance in your decisions, both big and small? ([02:23])
7. Think of a specific area in your life where you need to hear and believe God's Word over your experiences. What steps can you take to act in obedience to His instructions? ([06:07])
Devotional
Day 1: The Consequences of Disobedience
Disobedience to God's commands can have far-reaching consequences, affecting not just the individual but the entire community. In Joshua chapter 7, Achan's sin of taking what was dedicated to God led to Israel's defeat at Ai. This incident underscores the importance of integrity and obedience in our walk with God. When we act against God's will, it can bring about negative repercussions not only for ourselves but also for those around us. The story of Achan serves as a sobering reminder that our actions have communal implications, and we must strive to live in accordance with God's directives to avoid such pitfalls. [00:57]
Joshua 7:11-12 (ESV): "Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies because they have become devoted for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you."
Reflection: Think of a time when your actions negatively impacted others. How can you seek God's forgiveness and make amends today?
Day 2: The Danger of Self-Confidence
Joshua and the Israelites initially approached Ai with self-confidence, neglecting to seek God's guidance. This resulted in their defeat. We must remember that past victories do not guarantee future success without God's continual guidance. Reliance on God should be a daily practice, not a one-time event. The Israelites' presumption serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of self-reliance and the necessity of seeking God's direction in every endeavor. By humbling ourselves and acknowledging our need for God's wisdom, we can avoid the pitfalls of overconfidence and ensure that our actions align with His will. [01:41]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: In what areas of your life have you been relying on your own strength rather than seeking God's guidance? How can you start seeking His direction today?
Day 3: Hearing and Believing God's Word
It's not enough to merely hear God's Word; we must believe and act on it. Joshua had to trust God's promise of victory despite his past experience of defeat. This teaches us to place our faith in God's Word over our experiences and to act in obedience to His instructions. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's plans and open the door to His blessings. The story of Joshua's renewed faith and subsequent victory at Ai illustrates the transformative power of trusting in God's promises and acting upon them, even when past experiences suggest otherwise. [06:07]
James 1:22 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
Reflection: Reflect on a promise from God's Word that you have struggled to believe. How can you take a step of faith to act on that promise today?
Day 4: God's Infinite Variety in Guidance
God's instructions for conquering Ai were different from those for Jericho, showing His infinite variety in guiding His people. We must remain open to new directions from God and avoid putting Him in a box based on past experiences. Flexibility and responsiveness to the Holy Spirit are crucial in our spiritual journey. By being open to God's diverse ways of leading us, we can experience His guidance in fresh and unexpected ways, ensuring that we are always in step with His will. The story of Ai's conquest serves as a reminder that God's methods are not limited and that we should be attentive to His unique guidance in every situation. [12:38]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you have been resistant to change or new directions from God? How can you become more open to His guidance today?
Day 5: The Necessity of a Blood Sacrifice
The altar built on Mount Ebal, the mountain of curses, and the sacrifices offered there symbolize the need for a blood sacrifice to overturn the curse of the law. This points to Jesus Christ, who became a curse for us and redeemed us through His sacrifice. It reminds us of the profound significance of Christ's atonement for our sins. By reflecting on the necessity of a blood sacrifice, we gain a deeper appreciation for the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice and the redemption it brings. This understanding should lead us to live lives of gratitude and obedience, recognizing the immense cost of our salvation. [28:20]
Hebrews 9:22 (ESV): "Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins."
Reflection: How does understanding the necessity of Christ's sacrifice impact your daily life and relationship with God? What steps can you take to live in greater gratitude and obedience?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We learned some very important lessons about not walking in presumption, not walking in an attitude of self-confidence, but continuing to rely on the Lord, continuing to trust in Him, and rely on Him, and know that whatever marching orders we got yesterday are not... And for the battle that we dealt with yesterday probably aren't sufficient for the battle that we're facing today or even tomorrow for that matter. We need to be in constant communication with the Lord." [02:23] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Do not fear and do not be dismayed. Your Bible may say, do not be discouraged. He says, Take all the fighting men with you and arise. Go up to Ai. See, I have given it into your hand, the king of Ai and his people, his city and his land. Stop there, if you would, please, for a moment. God knew that Joshua was reeling from this, this past mistake to the point where he needed the encouragement of the Lord. Sometimes that happens in our lives too. We make mistakes. We all make mistakes, let's face it." [03:48] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You know what? Do you know that it's not enough just to hear the Word of God? We have to believe it. We have to embrace it. We have to accept it. Because there's a lot of people who hear the Word of God. Listen, there are people who come to Calvary Chapel, Ontario on a regular basis and hear the Word of God, but they're not even saved. There are people who literally sit in these seats and who are not born again because they've heard the Word of God, and heard the Word of God, and heard the Word of God, but they've never embraced it. They've never received it. They've never believed it. At least unto salvation." [06:07] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Boy, I tell you. Guys, there is such a danger in creating our doctrinal understanding of God, the world, and His work in our lives through experience. It is so dangerous. So dangerous. So many Christians do it. Myself included. Guilty as charged. We look at life. We assess it by experience. And we come to conclusions based on that experience. And if Joshua were to do that right now, he would say, You know what? I think we're in over our heads here, guys. Because that's what experience would say to me. But God comes with His word. And He says, Joshua, don't be discouraged." [08:03] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "One of the problems with revivals in the church is that we want God to do the same thing that he did before. And we want to kind of live in the revival time. Well, this is the way God was doing it during the revival. That's wonderful but we can't do that. We can't live in the past. We have to listen for God today. You know, one of the big problems frankly in churches is that we keep things alive because we've always done it that way. You know? Have you ever seen that in churches? Why do you guys do that? We always have. But it's not working anymore." [20:14] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "And then you can have everything from that point on. But you remember the story in the previous chapter. A man by the name of Achan actually took some of what belonged to the Lord, hid it, and because of that, he made the nation of Israel liable to destruction. So when they went out to fight against the second city of Ai, they were actually routed by the men of Ai, even though it was a fairly insignificant city. Joshua fell on his face before God, cried out to the Lord, and God said to Joshua, Why are you praying? You think this is my fault? You think I'm not good on my promises? There's sin in the camp. They had to root out that sin, and that sin has now been dealt with. And now the Lord is free to once again work with Israel because that hindrance has been taken out of the way." [00:57] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And the others came out from the city against them. So they were in the midst of Israel, meaning they were surrounded now by Israelite troops, some on this side, some on that side. And Israel struck them down until there was none left that survived or escaped. But the king of Ai they took alive and brought him near to Joshua. When Israel had finished killing all the inhabitants of Ai in the open wilderness where they pursued them, and all of them to the very last had fallen by the edge of the sword, all Israel returned to Ai and struck it down with the edge of the sword. And all who fell that day, both men and women, were twelve thousand, all the people of Ai." [18:24] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So Joshua sent them out, and they went to the place of ambush and lay between Bethel and Ai to the west of Ai. But Joshua spent that night among the people. Joshua arose early in the morning and mustered the people and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai. And all the fighting men who were with him went up and drew near before the city and encamped on the north side of Ai with a ravine between them and Ai. He took about 5,000 men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai to the west of the city." [16:01] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Now, you need to picture this correctly. The ark of the covenant, well, you know what, in order to picture it correctly, I've got to show you a picture, okay? Let me put this up on the screen for you because this is an actual picture in Israel of these two mountains, Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. They're that close to each other. What's going on? And Moses told them to do this before they even came into the land. He said, I want you to put yourself right in between these two mountains. Now, obviously, this is a modern picture which has dwellings and things and all that. None of that stuff would have been there, of course, back during that time. But he said, basically, they took the ark of the covenant and they put it right in the valley, okay, right down in the center. The Levites were stationed on either side of the ark of the covenant, and then they had Israelites, some on one side facing one mountain, and others on the other side of the ark of the covenant facing the other mountain." [26:02] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "This passage reminds us that there must be a sacrifice. There must be a blood sacrifice in order to be redeemed from the curse of the law. So where was it they sacrificed animals? On the altar on Mount Ebal, the mountain of cursing. Because only through a blood sacrifice could that curse of the law be overcome. And that is exactly what has happened in the person of Jesus Christ who through that curse through that blood sacrifice became the one who bore our curse and redeemed us as Paul says here from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." [30:09] (-14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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