Joshua-Judges

Joshua took over leadership from Moses to bring Israel into the promised land. After him came a series of judges or notable chieftains of various tribes, who led Israel through a repeated cycle of apostasy, punishment and rescue.

Leadership

How important are the words even today, “be strong and of good courage”?

“Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:6-8 HCSB)

Rahab’s Dilemma

How did Rahab choose the lesser of two wrongs? Do we also sometimes face similar dilemmas?

“The men left when it was time to close the gate at dark, but I don’t know where the men went. Hurry! Chase after them! You might catch up with them.” (Joshua 2:5 CEB)

Did God condemn her lie or praise her intent (her faith)?

“By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.” (Hebrews 11:31 ESV)

Though she handled things imperfectly, did Rahab’s deed still receive praise? Does that give us hope, who also handle life’s dilemmas very imperfectly?

“And in the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by a different route?” (James 2:25 HCSB)

Circumcision

Why were those entering the promised land circumcised?

“Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised.” (Joshua 5:5 KJV)

What more important circumcision was prophesied?

“Moreover, the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the hearts of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul, so that you may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:6 NASB)

Is a legalistic (letter of the law) physical circumcision required under the new covenant?

“No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.” (Romans 2:29 NLT)

What is the only thing that counts?

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” (Galatians 5:6 NIV)

Obedience

How obedient was Joshua?

“As the Lord had commanded Moses His servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses.” (Joshua 11:15 NKJV)

How obedient was Israel after Joshua, in driving out the perverted, child-murdering Caananites?

“Nevertheless the children of Israel didn’t drive out the Geshurites, nor the Maacathites: but Geshur and Maacath live within Israel to this day.” (Joshua 13:13 WEB)

Allotment of Land

Was the land divided fairly into private hands by lot?

“...Then Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord. There Joshua divided up the shares of the land for the Israelites…” (Joshua 18:6-11)

What can we learn from Joshua’s farewell sermon?

“Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses… you shall hold fast to the Lord … take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the Lord your God.” (Joshua 23:6-11 NKJV)

What else did Joshua say, that we also must choose?

“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:14-15 ESV)

Going Astray

Can overly much involvement with the world around us lead the church astray? What often happens when a new generation leads?

“And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.” (Judges 2:13 KJV)