Trinity International Baptist Church meets twice each week in small groups to discuss their Bible reading. Maintaining a habit of daily devotions requires uncommon devotion; and our prayer is that God will use these “assigned readings” and regular accountability sessions to teach us the discipline that might develop into a habit of devotion. All discussions are in English with an evangelical emphasis upon knowing God.
Today’s Bible reading presents the falling walls of Jericho (chapter 6) and the fallen nature of a Jew named Achan (chapter 7).
The walls that came tumbling down (chapter 6)
Who hasn’t heard the song of Joshua fighting the battle of Jericho? But who remembers what actually happened?
7 priests, blaring 7 trumpets for 7 days
Soldiers in front of them; soldiers behind them
For six days they marched once around the city of Jericho, without speaking or any other vocal noise
On the 7th day, they marched around the city 7 times, followed by a long blast of the trumpets
Then the soldiers shouted, and the walls fell down
The ring of soldiers advanced quickly into the city
The two spies who had been saved by faithful Rahab, went to rescue her and her family
All life in the city was destroyed; the gold and silver were taken and the rest was burned (or, at least that was God’s commandment)
The city was never to be rebuilt, lest the builder’s family be struck down.
The wedge that brought Israel tumbling down (chapter 7)
One man’s sin brought disgrace upon the nation, defeat for the army, and death for 36 warriors. How did this happen?
When Joshua decided not to send the entire army after the small city of Ai, he could not have predicted what the results would be.
The 3,000 soldiers were humiliated in battle and chased away, suffering casualties.
When Joshua sought the Lord about the reason for their failure, God told him to stop praying and to do something about the sin that caused the defeat.
“Israel has sinned” (Joshua 7:11). The nation is guilty though only one man actually took the forbidden fruit of battle. (Does this sound familiar? Recall Genesis 3 and Romans 5 and the effect of Adam’s sin upon all men.)
God publicly points the finger at Achan, singling him out in a dramatic way.
What else could Achan do but confess: I sinned - I saw; I coveted; I took; I hid. (Does this sound familiar? Recall Genesis 3 and the sin of Adam and Eve.)
The nation executed Achan; the accused is removed; and God is free to join His people once more (Joshua 7:12-13).
11Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
Joshua 7:12-13
12Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.
13Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.
And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan. (Joshua 3:17)
How long this took, we don’t know. Imagine the strength of body and mind required to stand there doing the Lord’s work while hundreds of thousands of your family, friends and neighbors passed by. Christians should be so disciplined in their spiritual service.
Two memorials of 12 stones each were set up, one on the edge of the river (Joshua 4:8) and the other in the middle of the river (Joshua 4:9). Their purpose was to elicit questions from future generations and to provide a forum for presenting a testimony about God (Joshua 4:7,23-24).
God dried up the Jordan River so that our ancestors might pass over.
God did a similar thing to the Red Sea for a previous generation.
This is to be a testimony to all people of the earth.
Men should know that God is powerful.
You should fear the Lord forever.
Circumcision and the Captain (Joshua 5)
10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. 11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. 12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. 13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant. (Genesis 17:10-14)
24 ΒΆ And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. 25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. 26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. (Exodus 4:24-26)
Why hadn’t anyone been circumcised the entire time that Israel was living in the wilderness (Joshua 5:5-7)? Wasn’t circumcision a perpetual obligation? Didn’t Moses realize the serious consequences of failing to keep the commandment? Thinking a bit more about this, why would their unbelieving parents have observed the commandment when disobeying God was normal in their lives? We don’t expect the children of unbelievers to have learned anything about God from their parents, do we?
Did you notice that this crossing of the Jordan and the circumcision of the new generation took place in the first month, in preparation for the annual passover celebration (Joshua 4:19; Joshua 5:10)?
With their arrival in the promised land, Israel had no more need of the miraculous and regular provision of manna, so the miracle ceased (Joshua 5:12). Too many people keep looking for miracles when they should be attending to God’s normal means of providence.
Joshua’s interview with the Captain extends through the first five verses of chapter 6.
The Amorites and Canaanites were afraid of the Lord and His people (Joshua 5:1). So afraid was Jericho, that it had locked itself in (Joshua 6:1).
The Lord appears to Joshua. Who else could this be but the Lord?
He is called the LORD (Joshua 6:2)
He is worshipped by Joshua (Joshua 5:14)
He speaks like the LORD did to Moses (Exodus 3:5; Joshua 5:15).
Joshua, no doubt mindful of the military task before him, sees a man with a drawn sword (Joshua 15:13), and asks a perfectly normal question of the suddenly appearing soldier, “Are you for us or against us?” Everyone should ask this question of the LORD: “Are you for me or against me?”
11Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
Joshua 7:12-13
12Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.
13Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.
Joshua 4:8
8And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.
Joshua 4:9
9And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.
Joshua 4:7,23-24
7Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
23For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:
24That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.
Joshua 5:5-7
5Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised.
6For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
7And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way.
Joshua 4:19
19And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.
Joshua 5:10
10And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
Joshua 5:12
12And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
Joshua 5:1
1And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.
Joshua 6:1
1Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.
Joshua 6:2
2And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.
Joshua 5:14
14And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
Exodus 3:5
5And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
Joshua 5:15
15And the captain of the LORD's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
Joshua 15:13
13And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.
Rahab’s faith and works are mentioned in James 2:25. What are the facts?
She lived in Jericho
She was a harlot (prostitute)
Two Israelite spies took lodging in her house
Someone told the king about the Israelites at Rahab’s house
Soldiers were dispatched to arrest the spies
Rahab hid the men on the roof of her house
She told the soldiers that the men had gone and she didn’t know where they went.
After the soldiers left, Rahab told the men that it was safe to leave.
She lowered a red rope from a window in her house on the city wall, for the Israelites to escape.
Before they left she made them promise to save all her family. Indeed, she lobbied for their lives.
The spies agreed that if she didn’t tell anyone that they had escaped, and if she should both gather her family into the house and hang the red rope from the window, the spies would accept responsibility for the safety of Rahab and her family.
After 3 days hiding in the mountains, the spies returned to camp to declare that the people of Jericho were afraid of the nation of Israel.
Joshua rallied the people for the imminent invasion. What are the facts?
He spoke to tribal representatives who spoke to the congregation at large.
Entrance to the promised land would begin in 3 days.
In keeping with the Lord’s instructions, the ark of the covenant, carried by priests would lead the congregation.
Because the people had not passed this way before, they should move behind the ark, and never lose sight of it.
The Jordan river was to stop as the priest-borne ark was carried into the water.
These things were to confirm God’s presence among them.
11Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
Joshua 7:12-13
12Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.
13Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.
Joshua 4:8
8And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.
Joshua 4:9
9And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.
Joshua 4:7,23-24
7Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
23For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:
24That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.
Joshua 5:5-7
5Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised.
6For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
7And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way.
Joshua 4:19
19And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.
Joshua 5:10
10And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
Joshua 5:12
12And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
Joshua 5:1
1And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.
Joshua 6:1
1Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.
Joshua 6:2
2And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.
Joshua 5:14
14And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
Exodus 3:5
5And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
Joshua 5:15
15And the captain of the LORD's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
Joshua 15:13
13And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.
James 2:25
25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Thursday evening Bible study discussion of Trinity International Baptist Church in Athens, Greece.
Joshua 7:11
11Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
Joshua 7:12-13
12Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.
13Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.
Joshua 4:8
8And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.
Joshua 4:9
9And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.
Joshua 4:7,23-24
7Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.
23For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:
24That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.
Joshua 5:5-7
5Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised.
6For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
7And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way.
Joshua 4:19
19And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.
Joshua 5:10
10And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
Joshua 5:12
12And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
Joshua 5:1
1And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.
Joshua 6:1
1Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.
Joshua 6:2
2And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.
Joshua 5:14
14And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
Exodus 3:5
5And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
Joshua 5:15
15And the captain of the LORD's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
Joshua 15:13
13And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.
James 2:25
25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
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