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JOSHUA: LESSON TWO
I. COMING OUT OF THE JORDAN AND THE TAKING OF JERICHO (Chapters 4-
A. Twelve men (one from every tribe) chosen by Joshua to carry out twelve stones (4:1-
1. Work from the place the priests stood carrying the Ark of the Covenant.
2. Set up where they lodge across the Jordan (Gilgal)
3. Set up as a memorial: “Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the Ark of the Covenant of Jehovah” (4:7).
B. Joshua sets up another twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan where the feet of the priests stood carrying the Ark of the Covenant (4:9).
C. Priests stand in Jordan bearing the Ark of the Covenant till all the people of Israel pass over the Jordan (4:10-
1. About 40,000 armed men of valor of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-
2. God magnifies Joshua in the sight of all Israel.
3. Priests commanded to come up out of the Jordan – water returns to overflowing the banks as before.
D. Hearts of the kings of the Amorites and Canaanites melt with fear when they hear of God’s powerful leading of Israel across Jordan (5:1)
E. Men who were in the wilderness after coming out of Egypt are circumcised (5:2-
1. God has rolled away the reproach of Egypt – Gilgal.
F. Children of Israel keep Passover in Gilgal (5:10-
1. Produce of the land is eaten.
2. Manna ceases the day after the eating of produce from the land.
G. Joshua sees man with sword drawn standing before him (5:13-
1. Man comes as prince of the host of Jehovah.
2. Joshua worships Him.
3. Joshua told to take off shoes for where he is standing is holy.
H. City of Jericho falls to Israel (6:1-
1. God’s instructions given:
a. People to be led by armed men; seven priests blowing seven trumpets of rams’ horns, with the Ark of the Covenant to walk around city once a day for six days – no word nor shout to be uttered.
b. People to compass the city in the same configuration on the seventh day, seven times – when the trumpet sounds, people are to shout for “Jehovah hath given the city.”
c. City and all therein are “devoted” unto Jehovah – Israel will experience trouble if “devoted thing” is taken.
2. God’s instructions concerning the city are obeyed – walls fall flat.
a. Rahab and family spared as city is destroyed with fire
b. Treasure of city placed in treasury of Jehovah.
3. Joshua’s curse on one who would try to rebuild Jericho.
a. Would lose the oldest by building foundation.
b. Would lose the youngest by building gates.
c. (Cf. I Kings 16:34).
QUESTIONS:
1. What purpose is given in chapter 4 for choosing the 12 men in Chapter3?
2. What was the memorial set up across the Jordan River commemorating?
3. What did Joshua do in the midst of the Jordan?
4. What happened when the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant were ordered to come out of the Jordan River?
5. Give evidence that shows the event that allowed the people to cross over the Jordan River was miraculous :
6. The number of the armed men of the twelve tribes of Israel was about 40,000. (T) (F)
7. The people came up out of the Jordan on the ___________________________ day of the _____________________________ month, and encamped in _____________________.
8. What happened to the hearts of the Amorites and Canaanites when they heard of Israel’s crossing the Jordan?
9. What event was connected with Gilgal getting its name?
10. What ceased once the Israelites partook of the produce of the land?
11. Encamped in Gilgal, the Israelites partook of the produce of the land?
12. By appearance, Joshua knew that he saw an angel or prince of Jehovah’s host. (T) (F)
13. What all led the people around the walls of the city of Jericho?
14. How many times were the Israelites to compass the city of Jericho?
15. What led to the walls of Jericho falling in the place:
a. God’s grace
b. Israel’s faith
c. Israel’s obedience
d. a & b
e. a, b, & c
f. a & c
16. Who was saved among the inhabitants of the city of Jericho?
17. What was devoted to Jehovah?
What would be the consequence of taking the “devoted thing”?
18. What was Joshua’s curse on Jericho?
Did it ever come to pass?
JOSHUA: LESSON THREE
I. ISRAEL’S TROUBLE AND TRIUMPH WITH AI AND COVENANT WITH GIBEIONITES (Chapters 7-
A. Achan’s sin – took the devoted thing (7:1).
B. Israel’s defeat at Ai – Israel loses about 36 men (7:2-
C. Joshua’s plea as to why, and God’s answer – sin in the camp (7:6-
D. God leads Joshua to find out the guilty one – Achan’s confession (7:13-
E. Achan and family stoned to death – burned along with possessions and then covered with heap of stones (7:23-
F. Israel’s triumph at Ai (8:1-
1. God’s strategy: ambush of 5,000 on west side taking city after 25,000 draw occupants out of the city with the appearance of retreating.
2. Plan successful:city plundered of cattle and spoil; 12,000 men and women
put to death; king taken and body hangs on tree till evening; king’s body
buried under a heap of stones at the entrance of the destroyed city.
G. Joshua builds altar of unhewn stones in mount Ebal – burnt offerings and peace offering offered (8:30-
H. Joshua writes law on stone and reads it to all the people – blessings and curse from mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim (8:32-
I. Kings of inhabitants of Canaan bind together to fight against Israel (9:1-
J. Gibeonites deceive Israel into making protective covenant with them (9:3-
1. Gibeonites’ deception: take old things to appear as if they were ambassadors from afar off.
2. Israel’s mistake: “asked not counsel at the mouth of Jehovah.”
3. Gibeonites are Israel’s servants in exchange to be allowed to live -
4. People moan over having the cities of Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and kiriathjearim live-
QUESTIONS:
1. What was Achan’s sin?
2. What were the consequences of this one sin?
3. What did God tell Joshua to do immediately after Joshua fell on his face before the Ark of Jehovah?
Why?
4. Who pointed out the guilty party?
How was the offender found out?
5. What were the steps in Achan’s sin?
6. Only Achan was stoned to death for his sin. (T) (F)
7. The bodies of Achan and his family along with their possessions were burned. (T) (F)
8. How does the name “valley of Achar” relate to God’s promise in 6:18 and Achan’s sin?
9. What was different in God’s instruction concerning the spoil of the city of Ai and that regarding the spoil of Jericho?
10. Whose strategy proved successful in taking the city of Ai?
11. How many fighting men fought and took Ai?
12. About 12,000 men of Ai were put to death by Israel. (T) (F)
13. What did Israel do to the king of Ai?
14. What two things did Joshua do that Moses commanded to be done?
15. What did the kings of the land of Canaan desire to do with Israel?
16. What strategy did the Gibeonites use to save their lives?
17. What was Israel’s mistake in being deceived by this strategy?
18. What were the Gibeonites to become to Israel?
19. Must we keep oaths when it involves us in sinful relationships? (example promising faithfulness to one in an adulterous marriage, etc.)