God's will, God's way, or no way at all.
Joshua 6 (7)
Read Joshua 6.
Reflect.
1. Jericho proves the point that God’s ways are not man’s ways (Is. 55.8, 9). Explain. How should this instruct us today?
2. Based on all we’ve seen thus far in the book of Joshua, how would you explain the role of God and the role of His people in accomplishing God’s work?
Think about it.
The battle of Jericho is Exhibit A in the Biblical teaching that God’s ways are not man’s ways. It’s not enough for us to know what God wants us to do. We must also make sure that we do His work His way, and not ours. And that means paying careful attention to all His Word and resisting the temptation to think that we know better than God how to accomplish His work.
Joshua was very careful and wise in his leadership, following God’s Word explicitly – including what He had previously revealed about the two-and-a-half tribes going before – and giving the people only as much information as they needed to concentrate on their next steps. God honored His Word and gave His people complete victory.
The people of Israel, and their leaders, must have been filled with confidence after this initial victory. “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10.12).
Meditate and discuss.
1. Put yourself in Rahab’s shoes at the end of this chapter. Do you think your view of God would be changing at all? In what ways?
2. What can we learn from Joshua 6 about discerning God’s will?
3. What symbols can you identify in this chapter? What role do those symbols fulfill?
“If you want to see more plainly how Rahab is bound to Israel, consider how ‘the branch of the wild olive tree is implanted in the root of a good olive tree.’ Then you will understand how those who have been implanted in the faith of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob are rightly called attached and ‘joined to Israel up to this very day.’” Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)
Teach me to wait on You, Lord, and to learn Your will, so that I…
Pray Psalm 103.
Give thanks to God for His many gifts and benefits, and call upon Him to extend His rule on earth as it is in heaven through your obedience to His will.
Psalm 103 (Old 100th: All People That on Earth Do Dwell)
O my soul, bless the Lord’s great Name! His many benefits proclaim:
He pardons sins and heals disease, and from the pit grants us release.
With mercy rich and steadfast love He satisfies us from above,
Revives our youth, works righteousness, and justice serves for the oppressed.
His ways to Moses He made known; to Israel His great works were shown.
The Lord is full of mercy sweet, and with His favor does us meet.
To anger He but slowly goes; abounding love to us He shows.
He will not always scold nor chide; His anger will not e’er abide.
Our sins He casts from us away; He shows compassion every day.
He knows our frame, that we are dust, so on His goodness let us trust.
Now as for us like grass we fail, though for a time our flesh prevail.
God’s Spirit blows across our face and withers sinners in their place.
But evermore to those who fear the Lord brings loving kindness near;
His righteousness to them extends and to their children without end.
He rules upon His throne in heav’n; His sovereign rule o’er all is giv’n.
You angels, bless the Lord, rejoice, who live in strength to heed His voice.
All you who serve Him, bless the Lord, all you who heed His righteous Word!
Let all throughout the cosmos whole unite to praise Him, with my soul!
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.
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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).
