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Joshua 1-4
Lessons for Leaders
and Followers
Psalm 32:6-11 Mules Get Into Trouble
6.Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to you in a time when you may be found. Surely when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach to him.7.You are my hiding place. You will preserve me from trouble. You will surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.8.I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you.9.Don’t be like the horse, or like the mule, which have no understanding, who are controlled by bit and bridle, or else they will not come near to you.10.Many sorrows come to the wicked, but hesed/loyal covenantal love shall surround him who trusts in Yahweh.11.Be glad in Yahweh, and rejoice, you righteous! Shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart!"Observation
32:6-11.According to the inscription, this is a “Maschil” or “instructional” psalm, the first of thirteen. The “instruction” (root of “Maschil”) appears at verse 8, the first element of the chiastic center, whose complement is verse 9. Those who are forgiven, need to learn to walk in the righteous ways that lead to blessing, then they will be surrounded by God's hesed. Then they will have the protection and joy which belong exclusively to the righteous and upright of heart. Those who are not receptive to God and seek Him, are like a horse or mule that need external restraint. They don't understand that their highest happiness comes from faithfully seeking God's ways and trusting Him to be faithful to His promises.
Application
If you embrace God's instruction, you will avoid sorrow and find joy; if not, you must like the taste of a bit in your mouth.
Prayer
God, help me not be a stubborn mule, but be quick to confess sin, and embrace Your truth; thanks that You want to surround me with Your hesed/love. Amen.
Proverbs 9:1-6 Take Your Choice
1.“Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.2.She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.3.She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:4."Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,5."Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!6.Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding."Observation
9:1-6.Both personified Wisdom and Folly (Proverbs 9:16) issue the same invitation to the open-minded. Folly's way leads to death, Wisdom's to life.
Application
Feast on Wisdom's banquet and live without regrets.
Prayer
Infinitely Wise God, may I learn and follow Your wisdom in every decision I make today. Amen.
Joshua 1-4 Lessons for Leaders and Followers
After the death of the Mighty Moses, the miracle mantel passes to Joshua as God demonstrates that He is who He said He is, and will do what He said He'd do (Hebrews 11:6).
Joshua 1 The Secret to Being Strong and Courageous
1.After the death of Moses the servant of Yahweh, Yahweh spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying,2."Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you, and all this people, to the land which I give to them3.I have given you every place that the sole of your foot will tread on, as I told Moses.4.From the wilderness, and this Lebanon, even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border.5.No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you.6."Be strong and courageous; for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.7.Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.8.This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.
9.Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed: for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go."
10.Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,11."Pass through the midst of the camp, and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare food; for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which Yahweh your God gives you to possess it.’"
12.Joshua spoke to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, saying,13."Remember the word which Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you, saying, ‘Yahweh your God gives you rest, and will give you this land.14.Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock, shall live in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan; but you shall pass over before your brothers armed, all the mighty men of valour, and shall help them15.until Yahweh has given your brothers rest, as he has given you, and they have also possessed the land which Yahweh your God gives them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession, and possess it, which Moses the servant of Yahweh gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.’"
16.They answered Joshua, saying, "All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.17.Just as we listened to Moses in all things, so will we listen to you. Only may Yahweh your God be with you, as he was with Moses.18.Whoever rebels against your commandment, and doesn’t listen to your words in all that you command him, he shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous."
Observations
1:1-18.1:6,7,9,18 All these verses mention the command to be strong and courageous, yet in different contexts:
1:6.
to lead the people against a scary enemy;
1:7.
to obey (adds the modifier “very” = exceedingly) - apparently it takes strength and exceeding courage or bravery to obey all that God reveals;
1:8-9.
These are two of the most important verses for getting the most out of life, both materially and spiritually. Meditate means to “revolve in the mind” or look at from different angles. The purpose of meditation is application (do it). You think about how God's instructions can apply to different aspects of your life. See Truthbase.net or Digging Deeper (below) for Suggestions on Application. Then, as a consequence you get blessing, prosperity, and success. This yields the mantra: Meditation is thinking through implications for applications.
1:9.
follows verse 8 for a reason. If God commands us, it's doable. He provides the resources to make it happen, foremost of which is His word.
1:11.
Joshua executes two tasks of leadership: planning/preparation, and perspective/vision. He prepares the people to get physically ready, but then reinforces the perspective they will need, namely, God is the one who will give them the land to do their job of possessing it (by driving out the pagan idolaters).
1:12-18.
In this section Joshua takes on a key leadership task of problem prevention (particularly as it relates to personnel), by going to the trans-Jordan tribes personally and reminding them of their promises and obligation. They graciously honor their word to Moses and encourage Joshua to do his job courageously, indicating that anyone who didn't follow him would be “taken care of.” If only all leadership problems were so easily resolved.
1:18.
The people exhort Joshua to not falter so they can follow.
Being strong and courageous is our job; it is not something God does for us, but it is ultimately a result of how we process our perceptions. (See Resources and series on Perception and Performance on Truthbase.net).
Question
Have you memorized Joshua 1:8-9?
Application
If you want to be prosperous and successful in all you do, memorize Joshua 1:8-9 and put it into practice.
Prayer
Mighty God, if You are with me, I have no need to fear; help me know and do Your will so I can be assured of Your protection and prosperity. Amen.
P.S.
Did I mention you should memorize Joshua 1:8-9? Write it out (in your favorite version) on a number of post-its, and put them on your mirror, monitor, screen saver, refrigerator, remote control, kitchen table, dashboard, scale, phone, kid's forehead, etc. Review and recite it until you can write it out perfectly from memory. See guaranteed guide to Scripture Memory in TOYL on Truthbase.net. GT and the Halo Express has a kid's song for Joshua 1:9; I found this one on Youtube for both verses.
Joshua 2 Spies Make an Honorable Deal with a Prostitute
1.Joshua the son of Nun secretly sent two men out of Shittim as spies, saying, "Go, view the land, including Jericho." They went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab, and slept there.2.The king of Jericho was told, "Behold, men of the children of Israel came in here tonight to spy out the land."3.The king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, "Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered into your house; for they have come to spy out all the land."4.The woman took the two men and hid them. Then she said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I didn’t know where they came from.5.It happened about the time of the shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out. Where the men went, I don’t know. Pursue them quickly; for you will overtake them."6.But she had brought them up to the roof, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof.9.she said to the men, "I know that Yahweh has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you.10.For we have heard how Yahweh dried up the water of the Red Sea before you, when you came out of Egypt; and what you did to the two kings Sihon and to Og, whom you utterly destroyed.11.As soon as we had heard it, our hearts melted, neither did there remain any more spirit in any man, because of you: for Yahweh your God, he is God in heaven above, and on earth beneath.12.Now therefore, please swear to me by Yahweh, since I have demonstrated hesed/covenant loyalty with you, that you also will demonstrate hesed/covenant loyalty with my father’s house, and give me a true token;13.and that you will save...and will deliver our lives from death."14.The men said to her, "Our life for yours, if you don’t talk about this business of ours; and it shall be, when Yahweh gives us the land, that we will demonstrate hesed/covenant loyalty and faithfulness with you."15.Then she let them down by a cord through the window; for her house was on the side of the wall, and she lived on the wall.16.She said to them, "Go to the mountain, lest the pursuers find you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward, you may go your way."17.The men said to her, "We will be guiltless of this your oath which you have made us to swear.18.Behold, when we come into the land, you shall bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which you used to let us down. You shall gather to yourself into the house your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household.19.It shall be that whoever goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood will be on his head, and we will be guiltless. Whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand is on him.20.But if you talk about this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless of your oath which you have made us to swear."21.She said, "According to your words, so be it." She sent them away, and they departed. She tied the scarlet line in the window.23.Then the two men returned, descended from the mountain, passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun; and they told him all that had happened to them.24.They said to Joshua, "Truly Yahweh has delivered into our hands all the land. Moreover, all the inhabitants of the land melt away before us."Observations
2:1.Rahab's was good place to stay while doing undercover work. For her commitment to God's people she and her family are spared in the upcoming destruction of the city (Joshua 6:17); she makes it into Faith's Hall of Fame - Hebrews 11:31 for receiving the spies by faith; and James uses her as an illustration of someone justified by her works for not betraying them. The biggest blessing of all is she becomes Boaz's mom, who marries Ruth, making Rahab the great-great-grandmother of King David, and an ancestor of the Messiah (Matthew 1:5)! Not bad for a self-preserving, unpatriotic, deceiving, prostitute. The truth does strange things to people.
2:9-11.
God desires that His dealings with His people “evangelize” others. Rahab became a believer in the true God. She recognizes Him not only as the sovereign Creator (who sets the rules), but also actively involved in the affairs of men on earth. She then takes responsive action to God's revelation (worship) in switching her allegiance, and risking her life to be loyal to her God. Modern “believers” could learn a lot from her. She was then used by God to encourage His people.
Hebrews 11:31 "By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace."
2:12-14.
Hesed is covenant loyalty, faithfulness to what one promised.
Application
Those who develop an accurate view of God and take appropriate action live happily ever after, regardless of their past.
Prayer
Supreme God in heaven above and on earth below, may I demonstrate Hall of Fame faith in what You've revealed, and works worthy of Your blessing. Amen.Joshua 3 Miracles For Those Who Walk By Faith
1.Joshua rose up early in the morning; and they moved from Shittim, and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel. They lodged there before they passed over.2.It happened after three days, that the officers went through the midst of the camp;3.and they commanded the people, saying, "When you see the ark of the covenant of Yahweh your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then you shall move from your place, and follow it.4.Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure."5.Joshua said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves; for tomorrow Yahweh will do wonders among you."7.Yahweh said to Joshua, "Today I will begin to magnify you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.8.You shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’"9.Joshua said to the children of Israel, "Come here, and hear the words of Yahweh your God."10.Joshua said, "Hereby you shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Hivite, and the Perizzite, and the Girgashite, and the Amorite, and the Jebusite out from before you.11.Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passes over before you into the Jordan.12.Now therefore take twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, for every tribe a man.13.It shall come to pass, when the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of Yahweh, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan will be cut off, even the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand in one heap."14.When the people moved from their tents to pass over the Jordan, the priests bore the ark of the covenant before the people,15.and when the feet of the priests who bore the ark had dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the time of harvest),16.the waters which came down from above stood, and rose up in one heap, a great way off, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those that went down toward the sea of the Arabah, even the Salt Sea, were wholly cut off. Then the people passed over right oppposite Jericho.17.The priests who bore the ark of the covenant of Yahweh stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan; and all Israel passed over on dry ground, until all the nation had passed completely over the Jordan.Observations
3:3.Usually you have to move from where you are to follow God. Sometimes following Him means staying put. So cultivate a relationship with Him, so you know His word, and hear His voice. Proverbs says getting wise counsel couldn't hurt either.
3:7.
God gives the miracle mantle to validate Joshua in the sight of the people so they will trust him. Leadership requires trust, earned by knowledge and performance. It also involves selling people on change by demonstrating what's in their best interest, so having the best interest of others at heart, helps.
3:10.
These are the same folks God told Abe about in Genesis 15:19-21.
3:12.
They'll need these guys next chapter.
3:13.
God didn't dry up the water first as in the Exit from Egypt. He first required faithful obedience, when they could only “see” the promise of God, and a swollen river. Biblical faith is always a response to what God has revealed. Faith is a step into the light of God's revelation, not ever a leap in the dark (that's Satan's territory). By the way, if you can “see” the outcome, it isn't faith. First you obey, and that brings into being what God has promised (Hebrews 11:1 “proof/evidence” is properly “reproof”, which means “to bring to light” or from our perspective, existence.). Belief after the fact is relatively worthless.
3:17.
Not only did God part the water, He dried up the ground so their feet wouldn't get muddy (how considerate). If you're doing miracles, you might as well go all out.
Application
You have to take the first step of faith into the light of God's revelation to see the fruit of your faith.
Prayer
God of flooded rivers and dry ground, help me see the steps You want me to take as revealed in the light of Your word, so I may experience the consequences that glorify You. Amen.
Joshua 4 Making Memories
1.When all the nation had completely passed over the Jordan, that Yahweh spoke to Joshua, saying,2."Take twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,3.and command them, saying, ‘Take from out of the middle of the Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the lodging place, where you will lodge tonight.’"4.Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared out of every tribe.5.Joshua said to them, "Pass over before the ark of Yahweh your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you pick up a stone and put it on your shoulder6.that this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do you mean by these stones?’7.then you shall tell them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh. These stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.’"8.The children of Israel did as Joshua commanded...10.the priests who bore the ark stood in the middle of the Jordan, until everything was finished that Yahweh commanded...and the people hurried and passed over.14.On that day, Yahweh magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.15.Yahweh spoke to Joshua, saying,16."Command the priests who bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of the Jordan."18.When the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of Yahweh had come up out of the middle of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet were lifted up to the dry ground, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place, and went over all its banks, as before.19.The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, on the east border of Jericho.20.Joshua set up those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan21.He spoke to the children of Israel, saying, "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean?’22.Then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.23.For Yahweh your God dried up the waters of the Jordan from before you, until you had passed over, as Yahweh your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up from before us, until we had passed over;24.that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of Yahweh, that it is mighty; that you may fear Yahweh your God forever.’"
Observations
4:18.Note that the presence of God is what makes the miracle happen.
4:19.
Gilgal might have been the same place where Abe built his first altar to God in Genesis 12.
4:24.
God has broader purposes than just meeting the Israelites needs, or even fulfilling His promises. He wants the whole world to come to know Him, and His people to always fear Him. Unfortunately, God doesn't always get what He desires. He does however, get what He's decided will happen. Those are two different things, depending upon people's wills. Free will is one of those things He's decided or decreed to exist. Obedience is what He wants, but that's up to you.
Application
Remember what God has done for you in a tangible way (keep a journal, or heap up stones), so you will do for Him, what He wants, all of your days.
Prayer
Mighty God who does wonders, my I always remember to remember what You've done in my life, so I will fear to wander from Your presence, and others may see You through my life. Amen.
Digging Deeper
Although application is a natural outcome of Bible study, there are some specific areas to consider as you seek to make your study more personal and meaningful. The following questions could be used in applying Scriptural truths to your life:
1. FAITH - What does the Bible passage teach me about personal faith? What do I learn about God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit and my relationship to them? What specific truths should I believe? Why should I believe them?
2. ATTITUDES - What do I learn about good or bad attitudes? What are the results of each kind? What should be my attitude? How can I change negative ones? What do I learn about emotions? Is there help suggested for release from destructive emotions such as fear, worries, anxieties, hates resentments, jealousies?
3. ACTIONS - What should be my actions? Are there errors to avoid? Are there any actions which I need to change?
4. SINS - What sins are pointed out in my life? Are there some which I need to confess to God? To others? Which I need to forsake? What safeguards should I build?
5. EXAMPLES - What examples are there to follow? Not to follow? Why?
6. CHALLENGES - What are some admonitions/warnings which I should make my own? How can I follow these admonitions in a concrete way: In my relationships in my home? In school? In work? With others? With friends?
7. PROMISES - What promises can I claim for my own? Are there any conditions which I must fulfill in order to claim these promises? Are there any specific prayer promises to claim?
God in a nutshell: God offers success and prosperity to those who purposefully apply His word. He works through His people to reveal His might to the world so they have a point of contact in relating to Him (as with Rahab). [Seeing His might in a fearsome thunderstorm is impressive, but what's the next step of a relationship with Him? A whirlwind or His word?]. He wants His people to have a concrete and rational basis for their steps of faith (His word and works). He graciously accepts whoever observes His doings and comes to Him in faith. He requires us to exercise faith in what He's revealed, and fulfills what He's promised so we will continue to walk in the light of His truth, and fear departing from the way.
Us in a nutshell: We are offered the blessings of success and prosperity if we meditate on God's word so we figure out how to apply it to our lives. We are commanded to be strong and courageous and not fear nor dismayed. We need to be strong and courageous to take the steps of faithful obedience to what God has revealed, and then we will see Him do mighty things on our behalf. It doesn't matter how shadowy our past was, God wants us to walk in the light of His truth, and will reward our faith. If you don't believe that you can't please God
Heb 11:6 without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him
Where to go for more
Truthbase.net
Keep the Faith
Faith: Use it or Lose it
Perception and Performance There is a whole series on re-working your emotions, using Scriptural and psychological insights to apply Biblical truth.