Joshua 7 – 8 Israel and the Battle of Ai / Sin and Consequences
The Lord specified what to do with certain spoils from Jericho. Let’s read about how one person responded to those directions.
Joshua 7: 1-15
One man sinned Achan – What were the consequences?
4 Battle lost to a few Ai-s.
5 36 men died.
5 The people’s hearts became like water.
6 Joshua and the Elders lost faith in God. (Why?)
12 Israel cannot stand before their enemies.
12 Israel has become accursed.
12 I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things in your midst.
Why did Achan’s sin result in consequences for the whole nation?
Let’s spend a few minutes looking at how wide the impact of our sin goes.
I’ll pick something easy. Let’s say that someone makes some bad decisions – like Achan – and sees something he wants – like Meth – and takes it- and gets hooked on the drug. It destroys the person’s body, but what else happens? Family – friends – the public – all suffer.
Now let’s bring it home. What about your sin? How wide are those consequences spread?
Family – Friends-Church- community- work?
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What was Joshua’s concern after the defeat in Battle? Why did you bring us here? What about your (God’s reputation). Why was Joshua concerned about God’s reputation?
What was God’s concern after the battle? –Israel’s sin/ Obedience - how were these two different?
Joshua 7:16-26
More stones – Another reminder
Why do you think God commanded them to kill and burn Achan and all that belonged to him?
Sin is Serious.
Joshua 8:1-13 and 18 and 25-29.
Israel won the 2nd battle of Ai with God’s help.
What was the difference for most of Israel (all but Achan) between Battle #1 and Battle #2?
What do these events say about God’s character?
What does this story tell us about our sin?
If you look at your daily schedule as a battle, how should you prepare for it in light of this story?
8:30-35 – Another Rockpile. This alter, with the commandments written on it, served as a reminder to Israel of the consequences of disobedience. What serves as a reminder to obey God in your life?
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Whose side are you on? - Jerico
Joshua 5:13-6:27 Whose side are you on? – Jerico
When was the last time you went to a T-High – A-High football game?
Which side did you sit on?
Are you” for us” or “against us” is important in many settings. Joshua, as the leader of Israel, heading into battle had an “us versus them” attitude.
Israel was headed into their first battle in the new land.
Read Joshua 5:13-15. This is a Theophany – a physical appearance of God, in the form of a man (the pre-incarnate Christ). In this appearance, he had drawn a sword. It wasn’t unusual for Joshua to ask whose side He was on, but the answer he got was probably not what he expected.
NO
What does this answer say about God being on the Israelites “side”?
What was Joshua’s response to the Lord in v. 14? And in v. 15?
How close do you have to be to God to worship Him? A physical encounter, a church service, a Bible study, a prayer time, a challenge to your faith?
Chapter 6:1-16 and V20
How would an army normally take over a walled city like Jerico?
Why do you think God commanded them to do it this way?
Has God ever told you to do something in a way that is not the normal way? How did you respond?
What happened in the camp during those 6 days of marching around Jerico once a day? What was it like?
V2 says “See, I have given Jerico into your hand, with its king and valiant warriors”. Past Tense. Had He done it yet? How did that work?
6:21-25 Utter destruction.
This seems harsh. Why do you think God had them kill everyone except Rahab and her family?
Look back at 5:13 (the Theophany) This whole battle began with the Lord’s sword drawn. Once the fire was out, do you think there was any question about how this victory was won?
When was the last time you went to a T-High – A-High football game?
Which side did you sit on?
Are you” for us” or “against us” is important in many settings. Joshua, as the leader of Israel, heading into battle had an “us versus them” attitude.
Israel was headed into their first battle in the new land.
Read Joshua 5:13-15. This is a Theophany – a physical appearance of God, in the form of a man (the pre-incarnate Christ). In this appearance, he had drawn a sword. It wasn’t unusual for Joshua to ask whose side He was on, but the answer he got was probably not what he expected.
NO
What does this answer say about God being on the Israelites “side”?
What was Joshua’s response to the Lord in v. 14? And in v. 15?
How close do you have to be to God to worship Him? A physical encounter, a church service, a Bible study, a prayer time, a challenge to your faith?
Chapter 6:1-16 and V20
How would an army normally take over a walled city like Jerico?
Why do you think God commanded them to do it this way?
Has God ever told you to do something in a way that is not the normal way? How did you respond?
What happened in the camp during those 6 days of marching around Jerico once a day? What was it like?
V2 says “See, I have given Jerico into your hand, with its king and valiant warriors”. Past Tense. Had He done it yet? How did that work?
6:21-25 Utter destruction.
This seems harsh. Why do you think God had them kill everyone except Rahab and her family?
Look back at 5:13 (the Theophany) This whole battle began with the Lord’s sword drawn. Once the fire was out, do you think there was any question about how this victory was won?
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Remembering what God has done
Joshua 3:1-5:12
Remembering What God has done
How has God blessed you this week?
This week we are going to see how Israel tried to remember their miraculous crossing into the Promised Land. We pick up the story in Chapter 3. The spies have reported back, It’s full steam ahead.
Read Joshua 3:1-5. The people had 3 days to think about the next steps. They were entering into the land God had promised, a lot of uncertainty lie ahead. Joshua called for the people to consecrate themselves.
One definition of consecration is to set apart or dedicate yourself to the service of God.
Back in Exodus 19:14-15 Israelites consecrated themselves by washing their clothes and abstaining from sexual contact. This was just before they were given the 10 commandments, another important occasion.
Have you ever consecrated yourself? When? How? What would be a time when you might want to do that?
Time to go – Read 3:6-13 & 17
What did God Promise Joshua? (v7) I will exalt you in the sight of Israel. I will be with you .
They were consecrated, they were going to do all God had for them to do. They had likely heard the story of the Exodus. Who do you think this miracle affected them? Do you think they learned something about God through this experience?
God wanted them to remember what He had done for them, so He commanded them to do something special. Read 4:1-8
God commanded them to haul out 12 big rocks and stack them up as a memorial. Why?
Earlier, we shared some blessings that God has given us. Is it important for us to remember God’s blessings? Why?
How do you remember what God has done for you? Memory? Stones? What about sharing your experiences with others? Children? Family? Others?
Ch 5 tells about the males all getting circumcised with flint knives and how one of their potential enemies was scared off by the miracle at the crossing of the Jordan.
V10-12- The manna stopped. Wow. How important was that stack of stones on the first day with no manna?
God changed the way he provided for Israel from Manna to the produce in the promised land. When he changes the way he provides for us, those previous blessings can be an important reminder of His love and provision.
Remembering What God has done
How has God blessed you this week?
This week we are going to see how Israel tried to remember their miraculous crossing into the Promised Land. We pick up the story in Chapter 3. The spies have reported back, It’s full steam ahead.
Read Joshua 3:1-5. The people had 3 days to think about the next steps. They were entering into the land God had promised, a lot of uncertainty lie ahead. Joshua called for the people to consecrate themselves.
One definition of consecration is to set apart or dedicate yourself to the service of God.
Back in Exodus 19:14-15 Israelites consecrated themselves by washing their clothes and abstaining from sexual contact. This was just before they were given the 10 commandments, another important occasion.
Have you ever consecrated yourself? When? How? What would be a time when you might want to do that?
Time to go – Read 3:6-13 & 17
What did God Promise Joshua? (v7) I will exalt you in the sight of Israel. I will be with you .
They were consecrated, they were going to do all God had for them to do. They had likely heard the story of the Exodus. Who do you think this miracle affected them? Do you think they learned something about God through this experience?
God wanted them to remember what He had done for them, so He commanded them to do something special. Read 4:1-8
God commanded them to haul out 12 big rocks and stack them up as a memorial. Why?
Earlier, we shared some blessings that God has given us. Is it important for us to remember God’s blessings? Why?
How do you remember what God has done for you? Memory? Stones? What about sharing your experiences with others? Children? Family? Others?
Ch 5 tells about the males all getting circumcised with flint knives and how one of their potential enemies was scared off by the miracle at the crossing of the Jordan.
V10-12- The manna stopped. Wow. How important was that stack of stones on the first day with no manna?
God changed the way he provided for Israel from Manna to the produce in the promised land. When he changes the way he provides for us, those previous blessings can be an important reminder of His love and provision.
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