Joshua 7 Achan, from the tribe of Judah, chose to ignore God's command to take all the gold, silver, bronze and iron that they found in Jericho and dedicate it to the Lord's treasury.  All of Israel had been warned of the consequences of taking what was "under the ban" for themselves.  It would bring about a curse upon all of the people.. indeed, because of Achan's sin, 36 soldiers lost their lives and the city of Ai rose up in victory against Israel.  

Joshua was devastated. He tore his clothes and fell on his face before the ark.  He didn't even know why they had failed to take Ai until the Lord informed him about Israel's sin. "Israel has sinned and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. And they have even taken some of the things under the ban and have both stolen and deceived.  Moreover, they have also put them among their own things."   Israel's sin was more than just taking some silver and gold.  It was a breaking of trust.. a breaking of the covenant, the bond between God and His people. 

Through an investigation using lots, the Lord narrowed the suspects down.. first, the tribe of Judah was selected. Then one family, the Zarhites, was selected. Then it was narrowed down to one family, the household of Zabdi.  When the family came before Joshua "man by man" the lot fell on Achan. Zabdi's grandson. 

Achan could not hide from the Lord. He confessed his sins. He had taken a beautiful garment.. a mantle made from fine material, and he had taken 200 shekels of silver and 50 shekels of gold. The items were quickly found and laid before Joshua. Achan did not express sorrow for his sin, even as he confessed what he did.  His family seems to have been complicit in hiding these stolen goods, so they were also condemned. 

Joshua and "all Israel" took Achan, his children, his oxen, donkeys, and sheep, and even his tent to the valley of Achor.. the valley of trouble.  There they were stoned to death and burned with fire.  A "great heap of rocks" then  covered them.  The people of Israel learned something more about their God that day. If they didn't know before.. they now knew that He saw their sin and He delivered judgement on those who failed to obey His commands and who did not repent of their sin. 

Achan "saw... coveted.. and took" the things that he wanted. He did not consider the fact that God had forbid it. He didn't believe that God would bring judgement on him and his family.. indeed on all of Israel for his actions.  The Bible Knowledge Commentary compares this to Eve in the garden.. she saw the fruit, she wanted the fruit, and she took it.. not considering God's ban on that particular tree. She did not realize the consequences of her sin.. bringing judgement upon all the earth. 

Father, forgive us, for we all have sinned and come short of Your great glory.  We have seen the things of this world and have coveted.. and have taken what You have forbidden.  We have failed to believe Your word and acted out of selfish motives. We live in a world that has been so sinful.. so selfish.. so greedy.. so blinded to the Truth that we wonder how You have been patient in Your coming judgement.  Father we pray for our nation, for our neighbors, for our own families, knowing that many are living like Achan.. trying to hide their sins.. not knowing that You see every heart. Let the Light of the gospel of Jesus Christ be manifested in our lives, Lord, so that repentance will flow down into homes and schools, and yes, even churches today.  You are the God who saves and delivers us from the dominion of darkness and brings us into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.. You are faithful and You are full of grace and mercy.  Hear our cries Lord for those who are lost.. and May Jesus Christ, the One who came to seek and save them.. be made known to them today. We ask this in His mighty name. Amen.

 Joshua 6 "Now Jericho was tightly shut.. "   The promise was made and the victory was sure.. The Lord said to Joshua, "See, I have given Jericho into your hand."   What was unexpected was the way this victory would be manifested. 

An army of soldiers, seven priests blowing trumpets, the ark of the covenant, and all the people marched around the city of Jericho.  The people were silent, so only the sound of the trumpets could be heard.  Six days of this.. Israel marching around the city.. one time each day. Then on the 7th day... the group returned to the city and marched around 7 times.  Then the order was given.. the trumpets blew and the people shouted. Joshua yelled,  "Shout! For the Lord has given you the city."  And the walls of Jericho fell down flat. 

The Lord commanded the people to take the silver and gold, bronze and iron things and put them into the treasury of the Lord.  Nothing else was allowed. They were commanded to destroy "everything in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, sheep and donkey.. "  The only exception was Rahab and her family and belongings.  The city was burned down, the metal items given to the Lord, and Rahab's family led to the outside of Israel's camp. 

Joshua spoke a curse over this ruin, "Cursed before the Lord is the man who rises up and builds this city Jericho; with the loss of his first born he shall lay its foundation, and with the loss of his youngest son he shall set up its gates."  This prophecy was fulfilled in the days of Ahab. A man named Hiel build Jericho again.  He lost his first born son as he laid the foundation.  He lost his youngest son as he set up its gates. What a price to pay!  So sad that people do not heed the Word of the Lord.. 

All the land, we are told, now knew that the Lord was with Joshua and the people of Israel.  Victory was certain.. but.. there were still lessons to be learned and work to be done. 

Father in heaven, we have a great victor, Jesus Christ, who has brought us into Your Hands. We have only to  stay united with Him in the Spirit that You have given to us.  We are the branches of the Living True Vine and we want to be fruitful in our walk with Jesus.  Remove from us the things of this world that are keeping us from victorious lives.  Have Your way, Lord, in us today we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Joshua 5  Transitions are a part of life.  We move.  We graduate from high school or college. We get a job or change jobs. We marry.. or we retire.  Life as we know it brings many transitions.. ready or not.  To Israel.. this going across the Jordan.. changed everything. 

Just that event.. the Lord's power displayed as the Jordan River heaped up and the Israelites crossed over caused all the "kings of the Amorites.. and the kings of the Canaaites" to despair. "their hearts melted and there was no spirit in them any longer." 

Then the Lord commanded Joshua to reestablish the covenant that He began in Abraham.. the circumcision of all the males was the sign of that covenant.  With that accomplished Joshua led the people to observe the Passover,  a vivid reminder of God's deliverance from Egypt.  The Lord said, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you."  The place was named "Gilgal" - rolling.  The past was rolled away.. transition.. to a new life.. a new beginning in a new land began that day. 

The manna ceased and the people found grain with which to make unleavened bread and "...they ate some of the yield of the land of Canaan that year." 

Joshua had led the army of Israel through battles on the east side of the Jordan, but now there would be greater battles to be fought. As he explored the land near Jericho,  he looked up "and behold a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand... "  Joshua met the "Captain of the host of the Lord" that day.  He bowed down and worshipped Him.. he removed the sandals from his feet.. for the place he was standing was "holy ground".   Many believe that this captain was the Lord Jesus.. Yeshua.. met Yeshua on a patch of earth near Jericho that day.  The Captain of the Lord of hosts would lead the battles.. now Joshua was ready for what  was ahead. 

Father in heaven, we have a Captain who has won the victory already.. our Lord Jesus!  Whatever today holds.. whatever battle we face tomorrow.. You have already won.. Whatever changes come our way, You will provide as we stay in covenant with You.  You have brought us into oneness with You in Jesus and You will never cast us out.  We praise and worship You!  Thank You Lord!  Lead on O King! We desire to serve You with hearts full of love and faith. Grant us the power to keep standing firm in the Name that is above all names, the name of Jesus.  Come and fill us now O Spirit of Love. Amen. 

 Joshua 4 The Lord commanded Joshua to appoint 12 men, one from each tribe, to take 12 stones across the Jordan River and set up a pillar as a memorial. It was a sign for the future generations.. so that they would know how God led His people across the Jordan and into the promised land.  Joshua also set up 12 stones in the center of the river for the same purpose. They would be under water during the flood stage season.. but seen when the river was calmer. 

Joshua set up the 12 stones at Gilgal.  The people of Israel set up their first camp inside the promised land right there. In this place the nation would begin the conquest of the land that God was giving them.  Here, the men of Israel were circumcised and Passover was celebrated for the first time in a long time.  The manna no longer came and the people ate from the produce of Canaan. When the priests carrying the ark stepped on the shore of the Jordan in this place, all the water of the river returned to its place.

 Gilgal became a starting place for the nation of Israel and "all the peoples of the earth" would know "that the hand of the Lord is mighty".  The memorial stones were a reminder to Israel of the greatness of their God so that they would "fear the Lord [their]  God forever."

We also have a memorial to remind us of the way God has provided for our salvation. As the Passover is a reminder for the Jewish people of how God brought them out of Egypt, the Lord's Supper.. what we call communion..  is a reminder to us of how Jesus Christ brought us out of darkness and into His glorious Kingdom.. It is a reminder of His death... His body broken and His blood poured out..  as well as a reminder that He is coming again.  As the people of Israel taught their children the meaning of the 12 stones... that God brought them into the land.. we must teach our children the true meaning of communion.  It is a sacred reminder of the Lord's greatness and love.. for He gave His one and only Son.. so that we will not perish but have eternal life.  

Father in heaven, only You can hold back the waters of the seas and the rivers.. only You can move mountains and valleys..  and only You can bring us out of death and into life.  We praise Your holy Name.. Yahweh, the Great I Am.  Be exalted forever O Lord.  Thank You for loving the world and sending Jesus Christ to purchase us by His shed blood on the cross.  Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.. to receive honor and glory and power.  Hallelujah!  What a Savior.  Empower us, Holy Spirit, to love others and to remind them of all that Jesus did.  Let hearts receive the good news.. Jesus Saves!  Amen 

 Joshua 3 The day had finally come.. Joshua sent out officers through the camp to tell the people to get ready.. the Ark of the covenant would be carried out to the edge of the Jordan River by the Levitical  priests.. and the people would cross over as the waters were heaped up "a great distance away at Adam.. " 

The instructions for crossing were given:

The people needed to stay 2000 cubits away from the Ark. 

They needed to consecrate themselves the day before they left. 

The priests who carried the Ark would come to the edge of the water and then "stand still". 

Joshua spoke the Word of the Lord, "By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hive, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite. Behold the ark of the covenant is crossing over ahead of you into the Jordan." 

The priests moved out into the waters of the Jordan. As their feet touched the water the river stopped and "rose up in one heap". 

"And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan." 

They had all heard the story of the Red Sea crossing but now they experienced this new crossing for themselves. God Himself assured them through this that they would conquer the inhabitants of the land and that the "Living God" would be with them.

The Jordan River begins at Mount Hermon and flows 70 miles into the Dead Sea.  It goes from more than a thousand feet above sea level to almost 1300 feet below sea level.  It twists and turns so much that its actual length is closer to 200 miles.  It cuts through a valley and receives many tributaries on this long journey. The land was lush and fertile along its streams. Its banks were overflowing during the time of Israel's crossing.  This is the place that the Lord chose to bring His people into the promised land.  There would be no other way that all of these people could have gotten across the river except for the Mighty Hand of God. 

Father in heaven, You are amazing and Your ways are so far above anything we could ask or imagine.  You brought Your people into the land that You had promised to Abraham all those years before. We know that You are the same God and that You are at work in this world to bring Your children into the City built without human hands. Bring us through the waters, Lord God.. that we might always know Your Presence .. the Living God is with us! Thank you for such grace and love. Lead us on, King Jesus, we will follow You. Amen. 

 Joshua 2 Rahab lived "on the wall" of Jericho.  She was known to be a "harlot" but came to be known as a woman of faith. 

Hebrews 11:31 "By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she welcomed the spies in peace."  and James 2:25 "And in the same way was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works, when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?"  

The Lord chose Rahab.. a Gentile woman.. a woman known as a harlot.. to be His.  Rahab married Salmon and became the mother of Boaz.. the grandmother of Obed.. the great grandmother of Jesse, the father of David. 

Rahab had heard about the Lord.. and she believed.  She believed that the Lord had promised the land to the Israelites.  She confessed that "the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. " She believed and staked her own life on it.  

Rahab hid the spies. She tied the scarlet cord in her window. She gathered her family into her home so that they also could be saved from the destruction to come. Rahab sent the pursuers a different way.  James tells us that these actions were the "works" that testified of her faith. 

After the overthrow of Jericho, Rahab and her family were brought out. Joshua 6:23 tells us that Rahab's mother, father, brothers, and "all her relatives" as well as all her belongings.. were rescued and taken to the  the outside of the Hebrew's camp.   But, Rahab "lived in the midst of Israel"  for the rest of her life. 

This is an incredible picture of what God does for all of us.  He calls us out of darkness into light. He doesn't hold our pasts against us.  When we believe that God Is.. . that He is good, that He forgives.. and that He can use us if we act in faith.. He will save us from destruction.. and.. praise the Lord.. He will save those that we bring with us into that faith. 

Father in heaven, thank You for this lesson.. this picture of Your great love and mercy.  May we have faith like Rahab in Who You are.. and may we act in faith in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in. Help us to share the love and mercy found in Jesus Christ the Savior with our families and others so that they can also be rescued from sin and shame.  Let the Light of the Lord shine through us who believe today. Spirit of Love, flood our hearts with the Love of God towards a world that needs salvation. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Joshua 1 Joshua was appointed leader of Israel after the death of Moses.  He was properly prepared for this position as he served Moses for those 40 years in the wilderness.  Born in Egypt, Joshua would have memories of slavery.. of the exodus.. and of the many wonders that God worked on their behalf.  He was also privileged to be a witness of God's presence on the mountain when the Law was given to Moses.. as well as in the tabernacle when Moses met with God.  Joshua was the right man for the job of taking the people Israel across the Jordan to conquer the promised land according to God's Word. 

The Lord spoke to Joshua with great promises.. all of which he received by faith.  Yet.. three times in this first chapter he is reminded.. "Be strong and courageous.. "  It was not going to be a walk in the park! This task that Joshua was assigned would be challenging on both sides.. against the enemy.. as well as dealing with his own people. These promises from God would be his foundation and strength. 

As God laid out the assignment, the first promise given was, " Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you." 

God promised Joshua that He would not fail him.. think of that.  We know that we often fail the Lord, but the God of Israel pledged to not fail Joshua.  He never fails.  He doesn't abandon us.. He doesn't let go of us.. He doesn't drop us. He is not negligent, not slack, not feeble, and certainly not weak. Within His grasp we then can also be... "strong and courageous"! 

The one thing that the Lord required of Joshua and now requires of us is to  "Be careful to do according to all the law..  do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.. "    Knowing, meditating, and doing the Word of God is the only way for us to live successfully before the Lord. He is not talking about material success or the success of the world.. so let us not use this as a formula for that.  He is talking about success in doing what God has commanded you to do. He is talking about the success of living in obedience.. living in the power of God's Spirit.. living in strong, obedient, and courageous faith.. wherever we go. 

Father in heaven, You are great and glorious. You are faithful to us and Your promises are true.. You will not fail.  You are on our side and You have a plan for us.  We must have strength and courage to live in complete surrender and obedience to Your Word, so that we can be successful in this life that You have granted us. Hold us close to Your heart, Father, and fill us with Your Spirit so that we can be successful in a life of obedience to the command of Christ.. to love You with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength and to love others as You have loved us.  Have Your way in us today we pray.. in the name of Jesus our Lord, Amen.