Joshua - Week 6

Week 6 – Day 1

“Their hearts melted”

Read Joshua 5:1

1. How does God describe the condition of the kings?

2. Why did the kings feel this way?

There are times today when the people of God’s heart melt and their spirits faint within them. But these feelings are not for God’s children but for those who don’t trust in the Lord. If our confidence is in God, we need to trust Him in all circumstances. If our confidence is in man, circumstances will mandate whom we choose to trust. The kings trusted in their own strength and power. The Israelites trusted in God. The Israelites chose better.

3. Write out the following verses:

a. Psalm 118:8-9

b. Psalm 146:3-4

c. Isaiah 31:1

d. Jeremiah 17:5

4. Take a moment and think about those things that worry you and/or those things that you choose to worry about. Write them down.

5. Write out a prayer honestly telling the Lord why these things concern you and that you are going to choose to trust in Him for these things now. Ask Him to help you. Ask Him to change you.

Week 6 – Day 2
Circumcision

Read Joshua 5:2-9

The first act that God had the Israelites perform after crossing the Jordan River was to set up memorial stones. Twelve stones (representing the twelve tribes of Israel) were taken out of the Jordan River to remind the Israelites of the miracle that God performed in drying up the river. Millions of people crossed over as the priests stood strong in the midst of the river, holding up the ark of the covenant. God keeps His promises.

1. What was the second act that God had the Israelites perform?

2. When was this act initiated and why? (see Genesis 17:9-20)

Circumcision was a sign of the promise (or covenant) made between God, Abraham, and the entire nation of Israel. God was faithful to keep His promises and expects us to keep ours too. The Israelites did not continue to circumcise the males during their wilderness wanderings. However, God reminded them of the covenant so that those signs would remind them of Who they served.

3. Why do you think God did not remind them of their need to be circumcised before they crossed over the Jordan River?

4. The covenant of circumcision became a largely debated issue when the non-Jews (Gentiles) were coming to Christ. From Acts 15:1-5, what was the conflict?

The Jewish Christians were aware that there would soon be more Gentile believers than Jewish believers. As a result, they were afraid that the Jewish laws given through Moses would not be kept, thus weakening the moral standards of the church. Paul and Barnabas believed that the Old Testament law was very important but living under the law was not required for salvation.

5. From the following verses, what is required for salvation?

a. Romans 3:22-24

b. Ephesians 2:8-9

Pray about it: Lord, I pray that I can be sensitive to know the difference between obedience and legalism. Teach me to be spirit-led and not religious.

Week 6 – Day 3

Saved through faith

For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people who were men of war, who came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord--to whom the Lord swore that He would not show them the land which the Lord had sworn to their fathers that He would give us, "a land flowing with milk and honey." Then Joshua circumcised their sons whom He raised up in their place; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised on the way. So it was, when they had finished circumcising all the people, that they stayed in their places in the camp till they were healed. Then the Lord said to Joshua, "This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." Therefore the name of the place is called Gilgal to this day. Joshua 5:6-9

God’s promises are not conditional. He will fulfill every promise, but in His way and in His time and to whom He wills. God heard the cries of the Israelites when they were slaves to Pharaoh. God had promised Abraham that after 400 years of bondage, He would rescue his descendents. That time came and God fulfilled His promise by sending Moses. Despite the Egyptians hard hearts and selfishness, God had His way and the Israelites left Egypt. Through God’s outstretched arm and mighty powers, God brought plagues and parted Red Seas. Nothing is impossible for the Lord. However, the Israelites hearts were hardened too. After different trials and being tested in the desert, it was obvious that their prayer for freedom wasn’t about the freedom to worship God but a freedom from difficult circumstances. Once the circumstances became difficult in the desert, these same people chose to forsake their God who rescued them.

Because of Moses’ intercession, the next generation would be the ones who would receive the promises of God. They would be the ones to enter into the land flowing with milk and honey. Their willingness and attitude mattered to God. They needed to be obedient to His commands.

However, God did not remind them about the covenant of circumcision until after they crossed the Jordan River. God’s promises were not predicated upon their flesh but on His promises. However, in time…God’s time, God would make sure that they kept up their end of the deal.

We find ourselves in the same kind of relationship with the Lord today. We can accept Christ and receive His Holy Spirit regardless of our behaviors. He will empower us and use us to fulfill all that He has for us. But as time goes by, He continually reminds us and asks us to keep in line with our part of the relationship. Our willingness and attitude matter first and then our obedience proves if we take His covenants seriously.

Be sure today that you don’t harden your heart as the Israelites did in the desert. If He is speaking to you, God wants you to trust and obey. His promises will be completely fulfilled but you want to make sure that you also receive all He has for you---which is up to you.

Week 6 – Day 4

The Manna Ceased

Read Joshua 5:10-12

Manna is the name given by the Israelites to the food that miraculously appeared on the ground during their wanderings in the wilderness. Manna means “What is it?” Numbers 11:7 describes manna like coriander seed that looked like resin.

1. From Exodus 16:11-35, describe the history behind “manna.”

God’s faithfulness is so amazing and dependable. He promised the Israelites that the manna would continue until they entered into the promise land. On the day after they had eaten from the produce of the land, the manna stopped.

2. Answer the following questions from John 6:47-58:

a. What title does Jesus give Himself?

b. What is the difference between manna and Jesus?

c. How do we feed on Jesus?

d. How do you partake of the Bread of Life daily?

Jesus is our bread of life that provides spiritual nourishment to satisfy our deepest hunger.

Revelation 2:17 says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.”

3. What do you think “hidden manna” is as described in Revelation 2:17?

Pray about it: Lord, help me to understand that it is just as important to eat Your food spiritually as it is to feed myself physically. Give me the desire and discipline to dine with You daily.

Week 6 – Day 5

Commander of the Lord’s Army

Read Joshua 5:13-15

1. Where was Joshua when the Man came to him?

2. What did Joshua ask the Man and why?

Joshua was probably at a loss in knowing how to invade Jericho. The walls were high and thick. The people inside the walls of Jericho were already aware of the Israelites plan to attack them. But when in confusion, God will bring clarity if you are really willing to be obedient to what He asks of you.

3. Why do you think the Commander of the Lord’s army answered “no”?

4. From the following verses, describe how to receive the Lord’s guidance.

a. Deuteronomy 4:29

b. Proverbs 2:1-6

c. James 1:5

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you.” Psalm 32:8-9

5. Describe a time when the Lord clearly instructed you?

Pray about it: Lord, I want to follow Your ways and not mine. Please teach me how to draw near to You that I may hear Your voice and follow You as clearly as Joshua did.

* Editor's note: Seven of the 16 lessons are available on Christianity.com. Click here to purchase the entire Daily Disciples Joshua study.

Taken from the Bible study Joshua and Used by permission of Daily Disciples.

Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc., founded by Tonilee Adamson and Bobbye Brooks, embraces a vision to reach the world for Christ by teaching others how to be His daily disciples. Their mission is to evangelize the lost and to re-awaken the saved to live lives empowered by the Word of God and His Holy Spirit, and to teach and to train those who desire to grow, to serve and to have all that God has for them…encouraging everyone to be a daily disciple of Jesus Christ. From Bible studies to daily devotionals to daily radio programs to a comprehensive discipleshipprogram, Bobbye & Tonilee have a passion to help others apply the Word