Lesson 3 Joshua 1:1-5:12

Joshua 1:1-5:1 After Moses death God speaks to Joshua 1:1 You are the new leader of my people Get up and cross over the Jordan 1:2 Everywhere you walk in the land is yours 1:3

This promise was made to Abraham, Isaac, etc 1:6 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast Joshua 1:4

No one will be able to stand against you 1:5 As I was with Moses so will I be with you 1:5 Be courageous and do not be afraid 1:6 You will lead this people to inherit Canaan You must do everything commanded you 1:7 Do not turn to the right or the left 1:7 You will succeed if you are guided by what is written in the Law and obey it

Crossing the Jordan Joshua prepares to cross over Jordan It was flood stage which meant it could be 12 feet or more deep and swift current Joshua believed God could take them across The tribes of Ruben, Gad, ½ tribe of Manasseh were reminded of their promise to fight for the land of Canaan

Crossing the Jordan These tribes had chosen land on the East side of Jordan for an inheritance This had been granted by Moses with the condition that they would help take the land on the west side of Jordan

They were not to return to their homes until the task was complete Numbers 32 The armed warriors answered: “We have agreed to all that you say” We will follow You as we followed Moses Whoever rebels against your word will die

Two spies were sent to Jericho They were hidden by Rahab and protected from the king’s soldiers She knew that God had given them the land of Canaan Everyone in Jericho was afraid because we have heard what the Lord had done

They knew of the Red Sea drying up so Israel could cross and how Sihon and Og was defeated There is no courage left in any of us because of Jehovah your God He is God of heaven and earth so you be kind to me and I will help you Swear you will save me and my family

The spies promised her life for theirs Rahab helped the spies escape from Jericho by letting them down the wall with a scarlet cord She told them to flee to the mountains and wait for three days The soldiers will be weary looking for you and return to the city This is exactly what happened

They returned to the camp back across the Jordan and reported to Joshua The spies said “truly Jehovah has delivered the land into our hands” Joshua prepares for the crossing by sending officers through the camp to tell them it was time to pass over the Jordan

Early the next morning Joshua led the Israelites closer to the Jordan and stayed three days before crossing the river The area across the Jordan from Jericho was a plain that extended about 6 1/2 miles Eastward.

Similar to what it looked like

Crossing the Jordan Jordan at flood stage Jordan at Flood Stage

The priest were to lead the way into Jordan carrying the ark of the covenant The people were told to stand back 3000 ft. and watch, because they had not been that way before. God told Joshua, “Today Israel will know I am with you as I was with Moses” The priest were told to go to the Jordan, when you get to the brink stand still in it.

Joshua addresses the Israelites and said: Hereby you will know that God is among you, He will drive out your enemies When the priests’ feet rest in the water, the waters shall be cut off and stand in one heap. The waters began to pile up and backed up all the way to the city of Adam

Adam It is hard to believe that the wall of Water may have been 150 to 300 feet high or more

The waters before them flowed on down to the Dead Sea 3:16 The Israelites crossed over against Jericho The soldiers from Ruben, Gad, ½ Manasseh also crossed over armed for war (40,000) The priest stood on dry ground until all Israel passed over 3:17 Instructions to take a stone by each tribe for a memorial

The memorial was for later generations Fathers were to tell the children what the memorial was and what God had done The priest stepped out of the river bed the waters returned as before 4:18 Joshua was made great in the eyes of Israel by the hand of God and the people revered him as they had Moses all the days of his life.

On the tenth day of the first month Israel came up out of the Jordan They encamped at Gilgal Joshua set up 12 stones, that had been brought from the Jordan, for a memorial When your children ask what these stones are here for? Explain how God dried up the Jordan People of Canaan were afraid

Events at Gilgal Josh. 5:2-12 Israel encamped at Gilgal which was just across the Jordan River Jehovah commanded that all the males born in the wilderness be circumcised On the 14 th day of the month, at evening, they kept the passover

It had been 41 years since the first one On the day after the passover Israel ate the produce of the land and the manna ceased. Years of wandering in the wilderness were over Where was Gilgal?

2 Kings 2: 1-2 1And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.

Gilgal Gilgal ?

Conquest of Central Hill country Joshua 5:13- 6:27 A person would go through Jericho to enter the central hill country Jericho was in the path of Israel taking the land of Canaan

It had to be removed so Israel could move forward Joshua looked toward the city of Jericho, there stood a man with sword drawn, Joshua ask the man are you on our side or the enemies?

Prince of Jehovah’s Army The man replied neither I am come as the Prince of the Lord’s army Joshua stretched himself on the ground with his face turned down and worshiped “What message does my Lord have for his servant? Put off your shoes you are on Holy Ground

Prince of Jehovah’s Army Who is this Prince? Notice that Joshua fell on his face to worship him Similar to what Moses did at the burning bush Exod. 3:5-6 The text calls Him Jehovah Josh. 6:2 Not just an angel –do not accept worship from men Rev. 19:10; 22:9

Fortress Cities of that day The mound of Jericho covered 7 acres This was the part enclosed by walls The farmed fields were outside the walls Several ways used to enter these cities Here are some of the ways used:

Dig under the wall Soak the foundation with water Ladders used to go over Ramps built up to the top Battering rams Grappling hooks used to scale walls Towers on wheels to smash the gates

Battle for Jericho Joshua 6:6-27 Joshua calls the Priest and tells them the instructions and the warriors 6:6 Priest take the ark of the covenant Seven priest take horns

Men of war go before the Priest 6:3 Go around once each day for 6 days Do not make a sound except the horns were to be blown continually while marching around the walls

Return to camp each day On the 7 th day march around for 7 times then the Priest blew a long blast on the horns and the warriors were to shout. Walls fell Each warrior would go straight in over the downed wall IMPORTANT – take nothing for yourself

Everything in this city was dedicated to God The city was the first fruits of the land All people and animals were killed except for Rahab and her family City was to be burned Whoever took anything was cursed and Israel would be accursed also.

The instructions were followed and the battle takes place Only Rahab and her family were saved She later lives with Israel and marries Salmon son of Nashon the prince of Judah She was the mother of Boaz who married Ruth Also the great-great-grandmother of David

Joshua places a curse on the rebuilding of Jericho When foundation laid the builders firstborn would die When the gate was set his youngest would die 1 Kings 16 tell of the fulfillment of this prophesy in the days of Ahab

They had conquered cities on the east side of Jordan but Jericho was the first in the land of Canaan God told Joshua the same thing was to be done to AI but they could keep the spoils The spoils of war could make one very wealthy The term devoted meant that everything was holy and to be dedicated to God

End of Lesson 3