Study "Called" - Joshua

A note before this book: I always want any reader of this to remember that this is always my summary of the Word. The book of Joshua in particular stands out to me, because of it's name, and there are many parts of this that I had additional thoughts, or things of note that popped out to me. I have included those, as I felt I needed to, but please, always remember Acts 17:11. "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

Joshua –

4:4 – Joshua calls 12 men to pick up a stone and build an ebenezer. An ebenezer is a commemoration of divine assistance. It specifically means “stone of help”. – I always think about the importance of raising ebenezers in our own lives. How do we remember the help that God brings us?

5:9 – Joshua circumcises every child that had been born in the wilderness. Bringing the nation of Israel back into obedience. God says that He will roll away the reproach of Egypt from them, and the location of this is called Gilgal, which means “a wheel, rolling”. – When we submit and bring ourselves under God’s authority, He removes the power of our past from us. When we turn from disobedience to obedience, God is pleased.

6:6 – Joshua calls to the priests and tells them to take up the ark of the covenant and bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. – The bringing down of Jericho. The first conquest in the Promised Land. There are a lot of things about this that are counter to Jewish culture. The Levi’s are not supposed to fight, marching around a city to bring the walls down? This should be a study by itself.

7:26 – Achan disobeyed God and took spoil for himself. He put the entirety of Israel in danger by defying the living God. Israel stoned, him, his family, his animals, and all his possessions, then burned them with fire. Because of this, God turned from the fierceness of His anger, and the place is called Achor, which means “trouble, disturbance”. – This is a great example for me of the destructive power of sin in our lives. It never just affects us, it always affects the people around us. And, most importantly, when we repent and turn and seek God, He is faithful to forgive. It may not be an easy process, and it will most likely involve a great deal of pain, but God does forgive and come back to His own.

9:22 – A group of representatives of nearby towns tricked the Israelites into believing that they were from outside the land of Canaan, when they were actually among the people God had called the Israelites to destroy. Joshua calls to them when he learns this to ask why they did that. – To me this always highlights the importance of seeking God’s input in all of our actions. He knows that which is hidden from us and can guide us better than we can.

10:24 – A group of 5 kings that attempted to stand against the people of the living God, where captured and placed in a cave to await judgement. (This is an interesting echo of a passage from Revelation 6:15-17.) Joshua has those kings brought out, then he calls to the captains of the men of war and has them put their feet on the necks of the kings. Joshua tells them to not fear or be dismayed, but to be strong and of good courage, for God will do this to all of the enemies that they fight. – God is the One who fights the battles before us. He brings victory in our lives, when we trust in Him. We have nothing to fear and no place for dismay.

19:47 – The children of Dan were not content with their inheritance, and took some extra and called the area Dan. – Christians are called to be content in their lives. Easier said than done, but there is always something to be grateful for. Always a reason to praise the Lord!

22:1 – Joshua calls to the tries that settled on the other side of the Jordan. He thanks them for their service in conquering the land, and warns them to be careful to continue to worship and serve the God of Israel. – As a Christian in the modern day, I have struggled with not wanting to be involved with other Christians. They have been some of the worse people I have ever had to deal with. But we must recognize that we need fellow believers in our lives. We are not designed for isolation.

22:34 – The aforementioned tribes, built an alter to God between them and the rest of the tribes. The rest of the Tribes got worried that it was an alter to a false God. They go out to the tribes and discover the real reason, and call the alter Ed. There is no given translation for this word. – This reminds me of the importance of remembering the battles that were fought by those who have gone before us. The trials that they faced, and even our own. It is too easy to take God’s power and providence for granted and just forget the mountains that He has moved in our lives. We must remember.

23:2 – Joshua calls the leaders of Israel to him, because he is getting old. He warns them about the dangers of mingling with the surrounding tribes. That they are where they are because of God, and do discredit that would bring destruction. – That is an apt warning, as that is exactly what happens to Israel.

24:1 – Joshua presents the leaders before God, reminds them of what God has done and gets them to swear to serve the living God. – It is important in our own lives to remember what God has done and to continually choose to obey and follow Him.

24:9 – Joshua references Balak calling Balaam to curse the children of Israel. – How many things does God protect us from that we have no knowledge of? How much never gets close because of His providence and power? Praise Him for His grace!