Joshua 8  The Lord spoke to Joshua these words, "Do not fear or be dismayed."  He would give Ai to the Israelites now, since they obeyed His word.  Following the Lord's instructions, Joshua sent out 30,000 soldiers to the west of Ai, hidden until the right time. Then the main army approached the city and another 5000 soldiers were set aside for a second ambush.  The plan worked perfectly.  Ai was taken.. all its people were destroyed. Cattle and plunder were allowed this time.  And the Lord gave them complete victory. 

After this Joshua led the people of Israel north about 30 miles.. to the place that Moses had spoken about. Some of the tribes stood on Mt Ebal and some stood on Mt Gerizim.  Joshua built an altar of uncut stones and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings.  He took large stones and wrote on them a copy of the law of Moses.   And "he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse according to all that is written in the book of the law." 

Once again, the people of Israel were taught the Law, they were reminded of their covenant with the Lord who had given them the land.  The victories over Jericho and Ai showed them the blessings that God would give them when they obeyed His Word.  The defeat caused by Achan showed them what would happen when they did not obey the Word of God. 

Moses wrote "Cursed is he who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them." ( Deuteronomy 27:26)  But, to those who would "diligently obey" God's word.. they would be blessed.. "and all the blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the Lord your God." (28:2) 

Jesus taught about the blessings of God.. He called those who were poor in spirit- blessed. He called those who mourn- blessed. He called those who are gentle, who hunger and thirst for righteousness, who are merciful, and who are pure in heart - blessed.  Those who seek God and His kingdom and His righteousness are blessed. Walking in the ways of the Lord, obeying His Word will bring His blessings upon us. Jesus said, "Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world... for I was hungry and  you gave Me something to eat.. I was thirsty and you  gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you invited Me in; naked and you clothed Me;  I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me."   Likewise, Jesus also taught about those who are cursed.. "Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink... (Matthew 25:41ff) Jesus explained that "to the extent" that we treat His brothers.. even to the least of them.. we are treating Him.. our actions towards others matter to Him for they reveal whether or not His love has filled our hearts. 

Father in heaven, may we confirm the Word of the Lord .. all that You have given us.. by doing what You have commanded us to do.. by loving You with all of our hearts, minds, souls, and strength.. and by loving others as You have loved us.  May our words and our actions be honoring to You and bring glory to Your Holy Name.  Strengthen us in the Spirit so that we might love like Jesus loves.. that we might do the things that Jesus did.. that we might serve like Jesus served. We are Your people and we desire to obey and be blessed.. never to fail You.  Come and fill us with Your power from above we ask, in the Name of Jesus Christ the risen Lord. Amen. 

 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.