Bible readingJoshua 6:1-5 (ESV)"Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. And the Lord said to Joshua, 'See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. 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.'"
Joshua 6:15-16, 20 (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.' ... So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city."
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."
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Observation questions
- According to Joshua 6:3-5, what were the specific instructions regarding the priests, the trumpets, and the ark during the march?
- The Hebrew word ruah is used to describe the "shout" commanded by God. What are the different ways this word can be understood in the context of battle and worship? [05:27]
- How many times is the "ark" mentioned in the account of the fall of Jericho, and what was its position in the procession? [12:11]
- In Joshua 5:13-15, how does Joshua react when he realizes he is speaking to the commander of the army of the Lord?
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Interpretation questions- The walls of Jericho did not simply crumble; they fell forward to create ramps for the Israelites [09:32]. What does this physical detail suggest about the way God provides a path through "impossible" obstacles?
- When Joshua asks the commander of the Lord’s army whose side he is on, the response is simply "No" [27:16]. What does this reveal about the importance of our alignment with God’s agenda rather than asking Him to join ours?
- The ark of the covenant is often referred to as the "ark of the presence" [12:31]. Why is circling a problem with the presence of God through worship and prayer more effective than relying solely on natural strategy? [13:05]
- Simple obedience is described as the key to unlocking supernatural results [15:17]. How does the "foolishness" of the strategy at Jericho (marching and shouting) demonstrate the difference between human cleverness and divine power?
*Application questions- Hunger is the primary difference between someone who is merely "entertained" by church and someone who is truly "filled" by God [00:42]. How would you describe your spiritual hunger right now? What are some practical ways you can stir up a greater appetite for God’s presence this week?
- We are often tempted to fight our battles only in the natural realm [10:17]. Is there a "Jericho" in your life—a situation that feels shut up and impossible—that you need to stop over-analyzing and start "circling" in prayer and worship? [13:05]
- Obedience in the kingdom of God is an invitation to abundant life, not a surrendering of freedom [16:37]. Do you currently view God’s commands as "hoops to jump through" or as "invitations" to a better way of living? How would changing your perspective change your response to Scripture?
- Delayed obedience is often a form of disobedience [21:53]. Is there something God has prompted you to do—perhaps a conversation to have, a habit to break, or a step of faith to take—that you have been putting off? What is stopping you from obeying immediately?
- Following God’s instructions "completely" is compared to following a blueprint for furniture; if you skip steps, you won't get the intended result [24:31]. Are there areas of your life where you are practicing "partial obedience," and how might that be hindering the supernatural results you want to see?
- Worship gives us proper perspective because we cannot truly worship something we do not submit to [29:50]. When you face a challenge, do you tend to lead with your "strategy" or with a "sincere" posture of worship that acknowledges God’s higher ways?
- Daily engagement with the Bible is the framework for learning God’s heart and His commands [30:21]. If you don't have a consistent rhythm of reading Scripture, what is one simple, practical change you can make to your morning or evening routine to ensure you are sitting under His Word every day?