Untitled Sermon

JOSHUA

1 kings 6:1 is important to help us calculate the year the Israelites left Egypt

To give an official account of the historical fulfillment of the Lord's promise to give the Israelites the land of Canaan by holy war

Background knowledge

The righteous people came through Noah. The land of Israel is like the land of Eden. God is putting his righteous people into His promised land. It was a land of peace and rest and prosperity. A renewed Eden. highlights the call for God's holy people. Priest and mediators for the nation. These would be the people that the Messiah would come through

Intro to Joshua

Joshua name means that Yaweh saves and delivers* God delivers his people through Joshua. The key is to keep Moses hands up showing that God's presents was there during battle but Joshua contributes to this. Hoshea doesn't save the people it's Yaweh. Joshua was one of the 12 spies. He delivered a positive report. He was kinda like Moses's secretary. Moses out his hand on Joshua showing that he would lead next. We are not 100% who wrote Joshua. We think he wrote a lot of it but not all of it because it talks about him after his death. The land of Israel is important because its between two big continents. It kinda like a melting pot of a land bridge. There is a lot of conflict in this area. They eventually beat the Canaanites.

Joshua ch. 1-5

Moses just died in the previous book. Descendant of Nun. Joshua had to of been 70-90 years old about to lead the Israelites into battle. Great river=Euphrates river and Great sea=the Mediterranean sea was promised to all be theirs. A command to be strong and courageous and it pins on Joshua because it is important to him. Joshua had a sort of responsibility to be strong and courageous and to obey the law flawless. Obedience to God's commandments. 613 commandments in the OT. Rahab is the only one who displayed faith in this city and she wanted security to preserve her and her family. The plead was our life for hers= they will spare her life if she keeps them a secret. It's important to note that God desires for people to live righteously not just to kill them off.

Is it okay for us to lie like Rahab did?

1. Lesser of the two evils To lie or to kill? Rahab chose the lesser sin which was to lie

2. A non-conflicting absolute God does not set aside certain absolutes meaning you should of not sinned by doing either but left God to work and Rahab should tell the truth

3. Hierarchy absolute certain actions usually labeled as sin is not sin based on that certain situation

**It's interesting to note that Rahab was a prostitute, a woman and the fact that she lied. Was Rahab a believer or did she just know that God was the One True God

Two things required of Rahab

1. Hang a scarlet thread out of her window

2. Gather her whole family in her house

The Jordan river is at this flood season and God asked them to carry the Ark of the Covenant across it. Then God says that he will part the Jordan for them and put the water in two heaps on the side of it. It also cool to see that God stretched the Jordan very wide for them.

Their calendar started in may or April. Springtime and also time was by lunar. The twelve stones represents a memorial to show God's miracle/sign of the Jordan river. Passing on dry ground doesn't necessarily mean it was hard as rock dry river ground without water just means it was passable.

Importance and Symbolism of Circumcision for the Israelites

-a sign of the Abrahamic Covenant

-done as an act of loyalty to the Lord

-Removal of that which is against God

This was done by the Israelites in enemy territory which was an act of faith

The Israelites first observed the Passover in the promised land on the 14th day of the first month (April or May)

unleavened was a symbolic thing for sin so that's why during the passover it wasn't allowed. They were supposed to be set apart from God because of their sin

Manna- Flaky an white, appeared in the morning except on the Sabbath (Sundays) they were only supposed to gather a days worth except on the Sabbath it would of been two days worth.

Joshua 2:23–24 ESV

Then the two men returned. They came down from the hills and passed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they told him all that had happened to them. And they said to Joshua, “Truly the Lord has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us.”

24 And they said to Joshua, “Truly the Lord has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us.”

This is cool because this is the first positive report and an encouraging one!

Joshua 4:19 ESV

The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped at Gilgal on the east border of Jericho.

19 The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped at Gilgal on the east border of Jericho.

This is important because this date represents the passover when they brought in the lamb or goat to prepare for the passover on the 14th.

*** Identify where Gilgal is at

-where Israel first camped when they entered Canaan

-Remains Israel 's central encampment through the conquests

Ch. 6-9

Joshua probably had 60,000 men walking around Jericho.

Kherem-devoted to the Lord for destruction

-things, fruit

-servants

-Jericho was this city (this means they weren't allowed to take anything from this place)

Jericho was kinda suppose to be a burnt offering to God.

Covenant renewal sermon

Mountain Ebal and Mountain Gerizim- The 2 mountains is where Israel renewed their covenant with the Lord and recited the blessings and cursings. These are read in the middle of these two mountains which was Shechem.

It's important that the leader of Israel hand wrote the law and he does it in the presence of the people. The stranger and the native were there. This happened right in the Canaanite territory. He writes it out and then reads it. The people enjoyed the truth of what was being read because they all had the expectation to live by it. Covenants are BINDING contracts because it is worn to be done in front of God. Joshua started this with God and it proceeded through the leaders. They were not allowed to have ties or marry the Canaanites. The Gibeonites brought old bread and such to the Israelites deceiving them that they came from far away so they would make a treaty with them. Gibeonites are apart of the Canaanites. After the made the oath and covenant to someone its on behalf of Yaweh. They soon found out who the Gibeonites actually were.

Joshua 9: 19 But all the leaders said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and now we may not touch them. The Gibeonites were now servants of Israel for the rest of their lives. Israel cursed them for lying.

Ch. 10-12

The king of Israel is now fearful that the Israelites would take them over so he starts making an army to go Kill the Gibeonites which is now in the protection of Israel.

8 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you.”

11 And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the Lord threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.

This is so cool^^

Interpretation ch.10

1. Literally the sun and moon stops to give the Israel time to defeat their enemy

2. This could be the only section that is poetic section in this book.

Shimron= the area of the sea of Galilee

God says that HE WILL deliver the enemy to them. God says that they will hamstring the horses meaning cutting off the tendons in their legs.

Harding of hearts

-How is God hardening their hearts?

Two thoughts on how this happens

1. God saw their sin and super naturally changed their free will and imposed His will on them and now this the punishment for in

2. God is bringing out of them their sinful nature

Anakim- giants

The initial conquest of the land of Canaan, led by Joshua took approximately 5-7 years

Chapter 12 is like a billboard for God's victory

ch. 10-24-25

24 And when they brought those kings out to Joshua, Joshua summoned all the men of Israel and said to the chiefs of the men of war who had gone with him, “Come near; put your feet on the necks of these kings.” Then they came near and put their feet on their necks. 25 And Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”

This is a clear representation of God delivering Joshua's enemy in his hands.

42 And Joshua captured all these kings and their land at one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel

---I'm just having a hard time understanding why God helped Israel kill so so many people? Why was this so significant? Why was it so important to have land? How can this be okay but still have the commandment to not murder? Was it the fact that if Israel didn't attack then they would of been attacked.

---I'm also having a hard time understanding why God pretty much allowed women to be treated like nothing? They were sold like objects. They were shown to have no importance besides bearing children. From my point of view they seemed like they were used. What does this mean for me? How does God view women? Has it changed with the generations?

Chapter 13-15

31 kings Israel defeated

Levites inheritance instead of land:

1. The offerings by fire (13.14)

2. Levitical cities scattered through Israel (ch. 21)

3. The tithe of all Israel (numbers 18:8-32)

Chapter 13 is a record for future generations and very significant.

These are a boundaries for tribes and a list with cities.

Hebron

-Given to Caleb (who is of the tribe of Judah) at his request

-given to Caleb as a fulfillment of God's promise to him because of his faithfulness when he was sent as a spy. ,

Chapter 16-20

Siloh

-Where the tabernacle is first located after the conquests of Joshua

-Remains Israel's central encampment until the time of Samuel

Six cities of refuge are designated for the protection of those who unintentionally killed someone (,)

Levitical cities- Gershonites, Merarites, Kohathites, Aaronites, City of Refuge

Chapter 21-24

23 is the passing of the duties that Joshua had. It describes the expectations of the nations and the consequences if they don't follow God.

Shechem- Joshua gathers all the tribes to Shechem at the end of his life to challenge them to renew their commitment to the Lord

v.12 "the hornet" possibly a figure of speech.

Joshua was 110 years old when he died. The Israelites served God in Joshua and the elders lifetime