Joshua - Week 4

Week 4 - Day 1

“Before they crossed over”                                        

Read Joshua 3:1-6                                                                          

The spies returned from Jericho convinced that the Lord had given all of the land into the Israelites’ hands as their enemies’ hearts were melted with fear towards them.  Joshua rose early in the morning and set out to lead the people to the Jordan.

1. Joshua commanded the officers and after three days, the officers commanded the people. What did the officers tell the people?

2. What did Joshua command the people?

3. What did Joshua command the priests?

There were millions of people involved in this endeavor. Each one was willing to listen and obey, understanding their personal responsibility to follow commands. Unity is so important to accomplish immeasurable tasks.

4. How do the following verses confirm God’s heart for unity?

    a. Acts 4:32 

    b. Romans 15:5-6

    c. 1 Corinthians 1:10

5. In what areas of your life do you need unity with others to do the will of God?

Pray about it: Lord if there is any area of my life that I am causing division, I ask that You convict me and convince me to be a peacemaker to accomplish all that You have for us in unity.

Week 4 - Day 2
He exalts the humble
                                                                    

Read Joshua 3:7-8                                                                          

1. What did the Lord tell Joshua that He would do for him?

 Joshua was 85 years old when he led the people across the Jordan River. He had been trained by Moses and his character had been tested for many years before he received a promise like this.

 2. From the following verses, what type of person is exalted?

    a. Job 36:7     

    b. Matthew 23:12  

    c. 1 Peter 5:5-6 

As Christian leaders, a title will not win the respect of those you are called to lead. Each leader needs to earn the right to lead like Joshua did. We all make mistakes and we all go through similar kinds of trials and testings that seem too hard at times to endure.

3. What kind of leader is Jesus asking us to be? (see Matthew 20:25-28)

 4. Give examples of how we lead by serving.

Pray about it: Father God, it is so hard to crucify the old nature to take on the role of a servant. It makes no sense in my mind at times. I am asking You to fill me with Your wisdom and understanding that I might be pleasing in Your sight. I am asking You to teach me how to be a servant so that I may lead others to You.

Week 4 - Day 3

“As I was with Moses”                                                                            

And the Lord said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.”   Joshua 3:7

It is clear that God was with Moses. No one understood that more than Joshua, Moses’ assistant. But Moses struggled with his call of being with God. He understood that he was just a man with limitation and shortcomings. Moses had committed murder, attempting to defend his fellow Israelite but his actions caused great consequences as he became an outcast from both sides, the Jews and the Egyptians. Even though Moses was raised in a palace the first forty years of his life, he ended up in the desert shepherding someone else’s sheep for the next forty years. So when God called him, Moses wasn’t expecting it and questioned God’s will in choosing him. Exodus 3:11 says "But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’" and then Moses told that Lord in Exodus 4:10-13, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."  The Lord said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it."

God heard the fear and insecurity in Moses’ words. But deep down, God had placed this desire in Moses’ heart forty years prior and God was not going to take no for an answer. He instead provided Moses’ brother to be his partner and then gave Joshua to Moses as his assistant. Moses was able to accomplish all that God intended for him to do. While he was faithful, Moses also trained up Joshua to be his replacement.

We read promises like this, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you” and understand what an honor it is.

However, Moses and Joshua both had it hard before receiving such an honor. Both were tested and tried, both needed to submit and be willing to obey. God’s leader doesn’t come naturally or easily. It comes through faith and obedience.

Our prayer needs to be like David as he prayed in Psalm 51:12-13, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.” If you are willing and know that you are a sinner, you qualify to be God’s leader. God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called as He answers the desires of your heart. Our response needs to be, “Here I am Lord. Send me.” 

Week 4 - Day 4
“God is among you”                                                                      

Read Joshua 3:9-13                                                                        

The Israelites were at the edge of the Jordan River. The river was at peak levels during this time of the year as it was overflowing its banks. Joshua tells the people that the living God is among them and He will not fail to keep His promises. However, those promises became real as the people were willing to obey God’s instructions.

1. What did the ark of the covenant represent?

2. What steps needed to occur first for the people to know that the Lord was among them?

It took a miracle to perform such a task. The priests had to believe in God just to move forward in the river. Today God has given us promises that are just as powerful and miraculous. We need faith to believe.

3. From the following verses, what has Jesus promised us?

    a. Matthew 28:18

    b. Galatians 4:7

    c. Philippians 4:13

    d. 1 John 5:14  

4. How do these promises make a difference in your life?

Pray about it: Lord, so many times I want to quote the promises but not do any of the work. Teach me to be obedient. Teach me to push through and not only quote the promises but claim them, knowing that You have a plan and purpose for me each day.

To completely cross over     

Read Joshua 3:14-17                                                                      

The waters stood still until the people had crossed completely over the Jordan River.

1. Describe the role of each:

    a. the priests?

    b. the people?

2. What had God done? 

The miracle of the Jordan River drying up was as big as the parting of the Red Sea. We don’t quote it as much, probably because the expectations of the people were so different. During the Red Sea, the people were in a panic as they fled from the quickly approaching Egyptian army. The power struggle between Moses and Pharaoh was so intense that the Red Sea was the grand finale of the miracles during their time in Egypt. During Joshua’s time, the people had already been in the desert for forty years. They had heard of the miracles and knew they were given the ability to participate in the promises of entering into the promise land. No army, no panic, just faith! And God was faithful.

3. God is still parting Red Seas and drying up Jordan Rivers in our own lives. How have you seen God’s mighty hand perform miracles in your life? 

4. What other areas of your life have you been waiting for a miracle but there has been no change?

We know that the Lord can perform these kinds of miracles and we pray for Him to intervene in our circumstances as clearly and completely as He did with the Israelites. However, many times the Lord does not choose to change the circumstances but instead wants to change you.

Pray about it: Lord, it seems much easier for You to perform a miracle by changing my circumstances than for You to change me. However, I want these feelings to go away and I don’t want to live with this frustration any more. Please Father, do what it takes to change me so that I can receive peace and not carry this burden any longer. More of You means more love, joy and peace so I will trust You to work in me. Thank You for parting seas and drying up rivers. Thank You for hearing me.

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

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

Originally published September 19, 2007.