Day 84 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Joshua 3–6
7 Ways to Prepare for Winning
A leader can face significant challenges, particularly if he follows someone successful. Will people have confidence in him? Can they win with his leadership? The opposition can sometimes be overwhelming—how can his people succeed, and what will be their strategy? How can they prepare for victory?
Have God on your side
In today’s Bible reading, the LORD says to his newly appointed leader, Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses” (Joshua 3:7, NIV). If God works through Joshua as he did with Moses, then the Israelites will place their confidence in him and follow him. Is God on our side? Is he leading us?
Make spiritual preparations for battle
The Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land. They will face countriess with well-fortified armies in Canaan, some giant in size and strength. The LORD gives Joshua strange instructions. He tells them to consecrate themselves, to fully devote their hearts to God and his ways (Joshua 3:5).Why? Because this will be a holy war against the Canaanites. The Israelites are to sanctify themselves. This means they are to get rid of any uncleanness, make sacrifices for their sins, and dedicate their lives to God, for it is He who will lead them to victory.
Are we ready for spiritual battles? Have we confessed our sin and rid ourselves of it? Are our hearts totally devoted to God? (more...)
Trust God to pave the way
The next day, the Levites carry the Ark of the Covenant (a symbol of God’s presence) to the Jordan River. It is at the flood stage. As soon as their feet touch the edge of the bank, the river parts and walls up to the city of Adam, a far distance from them. Immediately, the river bed where they are crossing dries up. The Levites position themselves with the Ark in the middle of the Jordan as all of the millions of Israelites cross.
Today, we do not have the Ark of the Covenant as a symbol of God’s presence. Instead, if we are followers of Christ, we have his Holy Spirit within us. Other people perceive that we are Christians when they see God is with us during the floods of adversity or by the victories he gives us. God paves the way for us to cross.
Memorialize God’s victories
After the Israelites are across the river, God tells Joshua to choose twelve men (one from each tribe) to go into the middle of the Jordan and pick out twelve large stones for a monument. It will serve as a memorial to God’s power in drying up the Jordan River. When people see it, their children and other nations will learn to fear and worship the LORD (Joshua 4:20-22).What memorials do we have to show people how God has brought us victory?
When the nations west of the Jordan heard that Israel’s God dried up the Jordan River so they could cross, “their hearts melted and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites” (Joshua 5:1b, NIV).
Rededicate yourselves to God
After they crossed, the Israelites did not immediately engage their enemies in battle. Instead, the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again” (Joshua 5:2, NIV). Why did God order this? The Bible Knowledge Commentary says that circumcision was a ritual that symbolized the cutting away of their ties with heathen nations, particularly regarding all sexual sins and perversions that other nations were practicing. It was a covenant first instituted in the time of Abraham when God promised to bless his descendants if they were obedient (Genesis 17:4-14, 23-27). The first generation of Israelites out of Egypt was circumcised, but they did not perform this ritual on their children. Physical obedience, however, symbolized spiritual obedience (Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6; Romans 2:28-29).
Under the New Covenant of Christ’s death, our spiritual hearts are circumcised when we believe in him for salvation—our sin is cut away . Will we be obedient to God, leaving the life of our flesh behind? (Colossians 2:11).
After the men are healed from the circumcisions, they celebrate the Passover.
Why attend church when it is time to fight battles? Remember, this is a holy war, and God is their commander—he will help them fight. We are not in a holy war, but do we seek help from God when facing conflicts, or do we fight our own battles?
Remember and gain courage
The Passover celebrates how God brought the Israelites out of Egypt. This is an encouragement to the Israelites—the same God who fought for them in Egypt will fight for them against the Canaanites. The Passover had not been observed since they were at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 12:43-49; Numbers 9:1-4). This is an opportune time to celebrate the feast because their enemies are in shock and have lost the courage to attack Israel.
Today, we Christians no longer observe the Passover. Instead, we periodically hold Communion Services. In them, we remember Jesus Christ, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). We eat a portion of unleavened (yeast-less) bread, Matzo, or crackers, symbolizing the death of Christ’s body on the cross. Afterward, we drink a cup of wine or grape juice and remember the blood he shed to deliver us from our sins. It is a sad ceremony of remembrance, but we can draw courage from it.
If Christ can deliver us from our sins, he can help us win against our enemies.
God fights for his people and breaks down walls
After the Passover, a heavenly being, “the commander of the army of the LORD” (Joshua 5:14, NIV), appears and gives Joshua a strange battle plan. He is to order the army to march six times around Jericho, once each day. Then, on the seventh day, march around it seven times, with the priests blowing their trumpets. The seventh time around, Joshua is to signal the 600,000 Israelite soldiers to shout.
The people in Jericho are terrified when they hear the roar of their shouts, and their high impregnable walls fall down flat!
Our God fights for us and can do miracles. He can break down walls that will not budge.
Joshua gives instructions to the Israelites to kill all but Rahab and her family. Also, they are not to take anything devoted to destruction, except precious metals for the tabernacle of the LORD. This is a holy war between God’s people and the Canaanites, a wicked, cruel, and despicable people.
Although we are not in a holy war, we can learn this lesson: complete victory requires complete obedience to our commander.
This song goes well with this Bible study: Expect to Win
Here is a video that goes with today's Bible study. Stop at 10:22 mark.
Discussion
How can Christians prepare to win their spiritual battles?
What lessons can we learn from the battle of Jericho?
Endnote: The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the Old Testament, edited by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p. 337
Focus Verse
Joshua 1:9 (NIV) “Have I [God] not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
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Looking Ahead: God gave the Israelites a great victory, however, secretly, there was sin in the camp. Our Next Lesson is Trouble; How to Handle It. Please join us!
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