Joshua 6:1-27

Date:  Sunday, November 29, 2009
Study #13:  God's power works for good in our lives.
Bible Study:  God Gives Victory Over Jericho (Joshua 6:1-27)


REVIEW:   in chapter 5,
God told Joshua to circumcise everyone (all males under 40)
God stopped providing manna (no longer needed)
Jesus appears to Joshua as the Commander of the army of the Lord.


Background Joshua's Strategy

Joshua had a well thought-out strategy for how he would lead the Israelites in conquering the land of Canaan (see Joshua 5-12). His method was to divide and conquer the major kingdoms in the land.
First, the cities of Jericho and Ai were destroyed.
Next, Joshua moved into the central part of Canaan. In a battle that was soon to follow, Joshua--with God's leadership, guidance, and divine intervention--defeated a coalition of five Canaanite kings.
Then he moved to defeat Canaanite cities to the south.
Finally, he led a campaign into the north. The whole campaign lasted five years with very little Canaanite resistance left!


Joshua 6 . . . The Destruction of Jericho


the siege of Jericho. (vv. 1-5) 
Jericho was afraid of Israel and what they had heard about them .. So it shut itself up being well fortified.
They were foolish, strengthening themselves against God.
No warlike preparations were to be made.
the Lord honored the ark (Jesus) and showed that all the victories were from Him.
The faith and patience of the people were proved and increased.
I imagine these words to Joshua spread around to the marching Israelites . . . Imagine the anticipation of the marchers on that seventh time around on the seventh day!
A relationship with Jesus allows us to walk in confidence … with solid anticipation of things to come

How do you think the Israelites WERE preparing for battle before God gave them their instructions ??
Prepared their weapons
Talked strategy
How do you think the soldiers reacted after hearing God’s instructions ??
Shocked
Silly
but they must have trusted God


the city is surrounded. (vv. 6-16)   12 … early in the morning, …15 … they rose early …
Wherever the ark went, the people attended it.
We also must follow Jesus in this same way.
and promised deliverances must be expected from God .. In His time.
The shout:
was a shout of faith for they believed the walls of Jericho would fall
it was a shout of prayer; they cried to Heaven for help, and help came.



Jericho is taken, Rahab and her family are saved. (vv. 17-27)  25 … to this day … 26 … “Cursed be
They DID destroy the entire city.
Jericho was a sacrifice to the Justice of God
As with Rahab and us, our portion of Justice must be assigned as we posses or disregard the signs of Salvation
Rahab did not perish with those that did not believe in God . . Rahab’s Faith “in Christ” brought her Salvation.
God shows the weight of His curse … there is no getting out from under it … it brings ruin
Another event, like the destruction of the Amorites who never turned to God, where God uses His people to give punishment to those who do not believe in Him
Archaeologists have found the cities of Jericho, but don’t know which one the Israelites destroyed … because every one of them were destroyed! (Joshua’s curse in 6:26)




What’s the most surprising thing about this event ??
That the Israelites did what they were told
That the wall really did fall down and Jericho did not attack
Why do you think God waited for the seventh rounding on the seventh day ??
How did God use His power here . . and why ??


Where in your life, right now, do you need God's powerful intervention ??