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Bible Study �?Joshua 4 of 12 Studies

"The Power of God’s Promises

Study 4: Jericho Falls.

When have you felt that God was fighting your battles for you? What was your part in that experience?

We fight many battles in life �?financial, emotional and spiritual. How can we be victorious in these struggles, especially when the odds against us seem overwhelming? Conquering the Promised Land was an enormous task. Forty years earlier the Israelites had lamented, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size�?/STRONG>We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them" (Numbers 13:32-33). Yet in spite of these obstacles, Joshua and the people of Israel now set out to conquer the first Canaanite stronghold �?Jericho. As they do so, the Lord teaches them and us how to be victorious.

Read Joshua 5:13 �?6:27. How do you think the visit by the commander of the army of the Lord affected Joshua (vv. 13-15)?

When Joshua asked the commander of the Lord’s army, "Are you for us or for our enemies?" He replied, "Neither" (v. 14). What is the difference between the Lord joining our side and our joining the Lord’s side?

In what ways do the Lord’s instructions for the conquest of Jericho seem strange (6:1-5)?

What was the significance of carrying the Ark of the Covenant and blowing the trumpets?

How do you think the Israelites felt during this seven-day spectacle (vv.6: 16)? What impact do you think it had on the inhabitants of Jericho?

What lessons was God teaching the Israelites during their seven days of marching?

How is our spiritual warfare today similar to and different from Israel’s conquest of Jericho (see 2 Cor. 10:3-5)?

What did it mean for this city and its contents to be devoted to the Lord (6: 17-25)?

Why didn’t God allow the Israelites to keep any of the spoils of war? What does this teach about the things we "earn"?

What spiritual battles are you currently fighting?

What principles of victory have you learned from Israel’s conquest of Jericho?

Posting for Jumpmaster.

2. I believe that Joshua was himself, reinforced to see the Captain of the host of the Lord.

3. Our side is what man deems important, with all our flows. God’s side is what we should be joining, for His side is flawless.

4. Surrounding Jericho and marching around it 1 time for 6 days running. To those people, that knew they had a fight on their hands, would seem to me a fruitless effort. Then on the 7^th day, go around 7 times and on all trips trumpets blowing.

5. So that the people of Jericho, who worshiped goats, could see that God’s Ark of the Covenant had been surrounded. The blowing of the trumpets was becoming a rule.

6. I feel that the Israelites felt foolish as first as for the inhabitants of Jericho probably amused at first. But the longer it went on, the more troubled they felt. Remember they could not leave and no one came into the city.

7. That if you abide by my (the Lord’s) commandants, then I will reward you greatly.

8. The siege of Jericho lasted 7 days. Our fight against sin lasts, a life times.

9. Since these people were against God, the devoting to God was to, make an example of the city, it was destroyed. Only certain items came out and were put into the treasury of the Lord.

10. Because they (spoils) were ill gotten, accursed not achieved through Godly efforts. To earn what you receive, do not deceive others for profit.

Thanks Jumpmaster!! Very good comments and insight to these scriptures.

1. I believe that Joshua had much more courage, after the visit of the Commander of the Lord’s Army appeared and to know he was standing on Holy Ground, humbled him and affirmed that the Holy Spirit was there with him.

General Note: First of all, it should be noted that the destruction of Canaanite cities was based on religious, not political or military considerations (Deut. 7:2-6, 12:2-3, 10-18).

Secondly, the actions taken at Jerchio (and also at Ai) was done on the bases of divine command (Deut. 7:2); Joshua 8:2; Ex. 17:14; Deut. 20: 16). And thus involves the moral character of God. If we believe that God is holy and without imperfection, it follows that whatever He commands will be just and right.

Thirdly, it was really Jehovah who was destroying these cities and their people (Joshua 6:2, 24:8). Israel should merely be regarded as God’s instruments of destruction.

Fourthly, the reason for this command is clearly stated in Scripture and seems to justify the action taken.

For example, Deuteronomy 20:18 makes it clear that this demand was designed to preserve the religious purity of the nation of Israel.

The destruction of various Canaanite cities should be regarded as a direct judgement from God because of their iniquity (Gen. 15: 16-21, cf. Gen. 19).

ok, next who's next?

Joshua 5.2-9

The circumcising (the cutting away of the flesh) that took place was required before they could enter the land of promise; the flesh that they cut away was useless and unclean. Under the law this was required, (old testament) however in the New Testament, this was referred to as a cutting away the uncleanness of our life that we live in the flesh. (Romans 2:29)

Colossians 2:11 “In whom (Christ) also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in

putting off the body of sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.�?Just as The people of Israel where

required to cut away the useless and unclean parts of the body. We today are required to cut away the sins

of our fleshly body. So that we may enter into the promises of God and enter into heaven (our promised land) Hey' Jump, I like your reply..I have learned a lot of 'things' in this bible study, and reminded of things I already knew. Have a great day--love ya...Redda

Ok Girls, here's the message that I get from Joshua 4. If there is something that I just didn't see, don't hesitate to let me know.

Read Joshua 5:13 �?6:27. How do you think the visit by the commander of the army of the Lord affected Joshua (vv. 13-15)? <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

When Joshua asked the commander of the Lord’s army, "Are you for us or for our enemies?" He replied, "Neither" (v. 14). What is the difference between the Lord joining our side and our joining the Lord’s side? <o:p></o:p>

I believe that Joshua was ready to fight. I believe that he thought that if he was the enemy, he would stand face to face with him because God had taught him how to be strong and of good courage. Many times the devil stands before us with a sword and we have to make a decision to fight, or to run. Joshua I believe chose to stand up to the adversary if the commander was one.

Oh our Lord is so great, so wise. You know, when we make the commitment to serve the Lord and come to salvation we have chose the Lord’s side. The Lord is with us as a saint and as a sinner. He has always been on our side even when we sin, but as a sinner, we have more or less told him to mind His own business—that we can handle it. Boy, can we really louse things up! And because of His love for us, he just stepped behind us and allowed us to make mistakes until we come to our senses.

In what ways do the Lord’s instructions for the conquest of Jericho seem strange (6:1-5)? <o:p></o:p>

Sometimes we don’t always understand God’s instructions as to why he tells us to do something in a specific manner, but after the children of Israel had been so far with the Lord and he had never once let them down, they knew that God would protect them.

What was the significance of carrying the Ark of the Covenant and blowing the trumpets? <o:p></o:p>

I believe that the significance of sending the Priest ahead of the Ark symbolized courage of the children of Israel, and that God was behind them and that their courage was backed up by God’s mighty Power.

How do you think the Israelites felt during this seven-day spectacle (vv.6: 16)? What impact do you think it had on the inhabitants of Jericho? <o:p></o:p>

Remember what it feels like to have experienced VICTORY. The children of Israel knew because of their trust in God and his unfailing word that on the seventh day they would have Victory. Just think of how you feel when you accomplish a task that God has set out for you to do. You feel such Joy that you want to Shout to the rooftops! Now I don’t know if the children realize that the seventh day they would have Victory, but just Knowing that they would have it made their Shout so loud that I can only imagine the echo that could be heard from many miles away.<o:p></o:p>

What lessons was God teaching the Israelites during their seven days of marching? <o:p></o:p>

Persistence, Perseverance, Obedience, Strength

How is our spiritual warfare today similar to and different from Israel’s conquest of Jericho (see 2 Cor. 10:3-5)? <o:p></o:p>

Our spiritual warfare today is much like the warfare that the children of Israel had to face. Like the children of Israel, we must have the Power of the Lord to help us through it. We have to be obedient in is commands to us if we are to win. If the children of Israel had not listened to Joshua and to the instruction of the Lord, they would have never crossed the Jordon. II Cor 10: 3 tells us, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh�?SPAN> The war that we must fight today is against evil and demonic forces where as the children of Israel were fighting against the flesh. To take up what God had promised them.

What did it mean for this city and its contents to be devoted to the Lord (6: 17-25)? <o:p></o:p>

EVERYTHING in this city belonged to the Lord just as today.

<o:p></o:p>

Why didn’t God allow the Israelites to keep any of the spoils of war? What does this teach about the things we "earn"? <o:p></o:p>

God blesses us with the things that we have today. He gives us things to use, but ultimately they are His. We all want nice cars, and nice homes. God will bless us with a means of obtaining those things, but we choose to earn these nice things. If God blesses us with a good job, then we must work hard at that job to earn our money. <o:p></o:p>

What spiritual battles are you currently fighting?

I believe the hardest spiritual battle that I fight is keeping my focus. I have been learning this past year how to live my daily life and routines and incorporate God in my life throughout the day. I have come so far, but I sure have a long way to go! One way that I keep God on and in my mind, is when I am driving to and from work, or on my lunch break, the music I listen to is Gospel. When I am at home, I like to have a Christian program playing on the TV as I do my housework. When I am at work, I tune in to the Southern Gospel station from the Internet while sitting at my desk. And of course, I visit this room often because of such wonderful devoted Christian family and friends who has their heart and sights on God. Our focus on life is to God #1 and then all other things will take care of themselves. None of us are exempt from spiritual battles. We must fight them the rest of our life. That is our flesh. The more that we keep the fight up however, the stronger we become and so does our faith.<o:p></o:p>

What principles of victory have you learned from Israel’s conquest of Jericho?

This song sums it up for me:

God's got an army <o:p></o:p>

(WE ARE HIS ARMY—The Saints, and he even has his angels amongst us to help in the battle)<o:p></o:p>

Marching through the land.

(Our walk on this earth is our MARCH to Heaven) <o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Deliverance is their song, and healing in their hand.

(The Lord will deliver us from all the strongholds, once we turn our life over to Christ, His Power becomes our Power)

Everlasting Joy, a song in their heart <o:p></o:p>

(Unspeakable Joy in knowing that they won the battle because of faithfulness, diligentness in Pushing forward, our perseverance)

And in that army I've got a part.

(God uses in so many ways!)

Thank you Lord for allowing me the opportunity to serve you!<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Amen Sister!! Me too!! WOW Ya'll had some wonderful responces to Study #4!!

Now before we move on, I'ed like to point out that the purpose of this study was to demostrate that the Lord is ultimately responsible for all our victories in life!

Also that, in warfare it is common for each side to claim God's support. However, even in the conquest of Canaan the Lord was not on Israel's side, but rather invited them to be on His side. There is a vast difference between the two!

The trumpets carried by the priests were not musical instruments but rather were used to call people to worship and to battle (both senses are evidently meant here). However, the cluster of sevens - seven priests, seven trumpets, seven days and seven marches around the city on the seventh day - emphasized the religioius nature of this conquest. Likewise, the central place of the ark of the covenant stressed that the Lord Himself was conquering the city.

When a city was devoted to the Lord, all things were destroyed and all the city's treasures were brought into the treasury of the Lord's house. For an explanation of why the Lord would destroy everyone in the city, see the general note at the beginning of the leader's notes to this study.

Finally, the formula for the success of God's people could be summarized in three words: Promise, Obedience, and Victory...I encourage you to see how this formula is illustrated throughout chapter 6.

Because of the site being off the air yesterday, I'm running late--I will be posting Study # 5, a little later tonight..in the mean time if anyone else has a reply to this summery, please feel free to continue decussing Study #4 here. God Bless and thanks for your replies!

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Persistence, Perseverance, Obedience, Strength

this is getting good!! makes me want to do the Pentecostal shout!!