Joshua 11 (7)

Read Joshua 11.

Reflect.
1.  Israel’s conquest of the land of promise seems to be pretty important. Why? Why does it matter to us?

2.  How do these campaigns against the enemies of the Lord teach us to think about our own effort to lay hold on the promises of God (2 Pet. 1.4)? 

Think about it.
The conquest of Canaan was important historically because it brought Israel’s deliverance from Egypt to a new stage. God’s plan was never merely to deliver His people from captivity. He always intended to deliver them into His promises and blessings. It’s not difficult to see how this story, from Exodus to Joshua, guides us to think about our own relationship with the Lord. We are saved from captivity to sin and death, and we have been delivered into the Kingdom of God’s own Son.

God doesn’t intend merely that we should be saved from sin and death. He is saving us unto His Kingdom and glory (1 Thess. 2.12). If we don’t press on to gain the promises of God, we will languish in the wilderness of unbelief and sin.

Just as gaining the promised land required a lot of work, so we have to work out our salvation as we strive to bring holiness to completion in the fear of God (Phil. 2.12; 2 Cor. 7.1). We must not think that full and abundant life in Jesus Christ will be ours merely by the passage of time, or by going to church, joining a Bible study group, or any other combination of spiritual activities. Mere activity, without obedience and a focus on gaining the promises of God, is like Israel wandering in the wilderness. We know where that gets you. Joshua and Israel had to obey God’s Word and drive out every enemy of the Lord before they could settle into the rest He was providing for them. The same is true for us.

The book of Joshua thus provides a template for thinking about our salvation and how we can make progress in knowing full and abundant life in Christ. As we press on in this study, let’s keep this in mind, because even though some aspects of this story might seem tedious and skippable, they provide important insights and guidelines to help us work out our own salvation in fear and trembling.

Meditate and discuss.
1.  What are you learning from the book of Joshua to help you in your own growth in the Lord?

2.  The promises of God are all fulfilled in Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1.4; 2 Cor. 1.20). The land of Canaan is a symbol of God’s promises, and thus a symbol of Jesus as well. How can keeping this in mind help us in our reading and study of the book of Joshua?

3.  What are the primary enemies of God still standing in the way of your realizing more of Jesus and His promise of full and abundant life?

“For as long as the hostile powers that work sin in us do not come and incite us to sin or provoke us to fight, they cannot be killed or exterminated. For that reason, therefore, God is said in like manner to permit, even to excite, opposing powers to go out into battle against us so that we may seize the victory and they may pursue destruction.” Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)

There are battles awaiting me today, Lord. Strengthen and guide me, so that I…

Pray Psalm 84.
This psalm calls us to be living sacrifices to the Lord (Rom. 12.1, 2) as we journey to our eternal dwelling with the Lord. Use it to seek the Lord’s presence, shielding, and power for this day.

Psalm 84 (Holy Manna: Brethren, We Have Met to Worship)
Lord of hosts, how sweet Your dwelling; 
How my soul longs for Your courts! 
Let my soul with joy keep telling 
Of Your grace forever more. 
Like a bird upon the altar 
Let my life to You belong. 
Blessed are they who never falter 
As they praise Your grace with song! 

Blessed are they whose strength is founded 
In Your strength, O Lord above. 
All whose hearts in You are grounded 
Journey in Your strength and love. 
Though they weep with tears of sadness, 
Grace shall all their way sustain. 
In Your presence, filled with gladness, 
They shall conquer all their pain. 

Lord of hosts, my prayer receiving, 
Hear me, help me by Your grace! 
In Your courts I stand believing; 
Turn to me Your glorious face! 
Lord, our sun, our shield, our glory, 
No good thing will You deny 
To those who proclaim Your story, 
And who on Your grace rely.

T. M. Moore

The seven lessons in this week’s study in the book of Joshua, and all previous weeks, are available as free downloads by clicking here.

Where does the book of Joshua fit in the ongoing story of God’s covenant? Our workbook, God’s Covenant, can help you discover the place in God’s work of redemption not only of Joshua but of all the books of the Bible. God’s Covenant is a valuable resource to guide you in all your studies in God’s Word. To order your copy, click here. And when you order, we’ll send you a free copy of Bricks and Rungs: Poems on Calling.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).