Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
6:26 At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath: “Cursed before the LORD is the one who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho."
Possibly this means rebuild a fortified city – that is one with a wall. Building a wall would indicate they were relying on their own resources rather than trusting the Lord for security.
6:26 At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath: “Cursed before the LORD is the one who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho."
Possibly this means rebuild a fortified city – that is one with a wall. Building a wall would indicate they were relying on their own resources rather than trusting the Lord for security.
7:3 When they returned to Joshua, they said, “Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there.”
For Jericho the Israelites knew they needed God's help but they thought they could handle Ai on their own!
If they had sought the Lord he probably would have revealed the problem Achan.
From Constable's Commentary:
Rahab was a female Canaanite prostitute,
Achan was an Israelite man;
Rahab hid the spies under her roof,
Achan hid the stolen loot under his tent;
Rahab, her house and her family were saved,
Achan, his tent and his family were destroyed.
7:3 When they returned to Joshua, they said, “Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there.”
For Jericho the Israelites knew they needed God's help but they thought they could handle Ai on their own!
If they had sought the Lord he probably would have revealed the problem Achan.
From Constable's Commentary:
Rahab was a female Canaanite prostitute,
Achan was an Israelite man;
Rahab hid the spies under her roof,
Achan hid the stolen loot under his tent;
Rahab, her house and her family were saved,
Achan, his tent and his family were destroyed.
8:3 Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law.
After victory recommit to God. This is what they didn't do after Jericho. It is important to remind ourselves that victory comes from God.
8:3 Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law.
After victory recommit to God. This is what they didn't do after Jericho. It is important to remind ourselves that victory comes from God.
9:14 The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.
The Israelites entered into a covenant without seeking the Lord.
From Constable's Commentary: Constable compares this with a Christian marrying a non-Christian without inquiring of the Lord. In this instant he suggests: "We should make the best of the situation, if breaking the covenant would be contrary to God's will"
9:14 The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.
The Israelites entered into a covenant without seeking the Lord.
From Constable's Commentary: Constable compares this with a Christian marrying a non-Christian without inquiring of the Lord. In this instant he suggests: "We should make the best of the situation, if breaking the covenant would be contrary to God's will"
10:1 Now Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had taken Ai and totally destroyed it, doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king, and that the people of Gibeon had made a treaty of peace with Israel and had become their allies. He and his people were very much alarmed at this, because Gibeon was an important city, like one of the royal cities; it was larger than Ai, and all its men were good fighters.
So rather than seek peace with Israel he (Adoni-Zedek) arranged to attack. The defeat was significant because God sent hail (v.11) and stopped the sun (v.12). Baal was considered the weather god so in this God was still telling them that he was more powerful than their gods. Yet they did not repent.
10:1 Now Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had taken Ai and totally destroyed it, doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king, and that the people of Gibeon had made a treaty of peace with Israel and had become their allies. He and his people were very much alarmed at this, because Gibeon was an important city, like one of the royal cities; it was larger than Ai, and all its men were good fighters.
So rather than seek peace with Israel he (Adoni-Zedek) arranged to attack. The defeat was significant because God sent hail (v.11) and stopped the sun (v.12). Baal was considered the weather god so in this God was still telling them that he was more powerful than their gods. Yet they did not repent.