Chapter 7: Reflection

Ya gotta love Joshua.  He made being faithful look easy, didn’t he?  God said to do it and Joshua did it.  

God said not to do it and Joshua didn’t do it.  

And look how God blessed him for his faithfulness. 

At the beginning of the chapter, God has a little chat with Joshua and tells him some of the blessings that are to come, and then God promises to be with him as He was with Moses.  

God says, “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”  Then he tells him one more time, “Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go” (pg. 89). 

What an awesome promise God gives Joshua, and all Joshua has to do is be strong, courageous and obey, which is exactly what Joshua did.  Because Joshua was faithful, God gave him very specific instructions about how to deal with Jericho, Ai, the 5 kings of the Amorites, and all the royal cities.  As a result of his following God’s instructions, we read:  “So Joshua took the entire land, just as the LORD had directed Moses” (pg. 99). 

It is clear that the result of faithfulness is blessing.  

So why doesn’t everyone just obey God and receive God’s blessings?  Why aren’t we faithful all the time so that we can receive God’s blessings?  It seems simple enough, doesn’t it?  Faithfulness = Blessings. 

The key is at the end of the chapter in Joshua’s address to the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel.  He tells them:  “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness.  Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped…and serve the LORD.”  

Then Joshua gives them a choice:  “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (pg. 101).    Joshua says, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

There it is.  

We, too, have a choice every day.  

When you get out of bed every morning, you have a choice whom you will serve.  Will it be your boss when he/she asks you to do something just a little bit immoral?  Will it be your friends when they want you to do something you know your parents wouldn’t approve of?  Will it be the culture that is constantly challenging our Christian beliefs?  

OR…  will you make the decision each day:  “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD”?  

Think about where the blessings come from and then choose carefully.

Chapter 7: Questions

The Battle Begins

WELCOME BACK! Week 7! Can you believe you've made it this far? We hope you've begun to hear God speaking to you in a powerful way through "The Story."

As always, feel free to answer questions in the comments (especially the "Digging Deeper" ones) and share any thoughts you might have about the "Personal Action." Or, let us know if YOU have a question!


CHECKING YOUR COMPREHENSION
1. How could Joshua be "strong and courageous" in such intimidating situations?

2. What do you learn about God from the story of the story of Rahab the prostitute?

3. What do the string of amazing victories in battle the people experienced as they entered the land reveal about who is really in charge of history?

4. Why did God order the Israelites to go to war against others? How was this war justified? Do you agree?

5. How did Joshua challenge the people in his final speech?

6. Why do you think God lavished blessings on Joshua and all the Israelites, who, like Joshua, trusted God?

7. What practical steps can you take to gain a deeper faith in God?


DIGGING DEEPER
The first time spies were sent into the land 12 went--2 returned with a positive report, 10 with a negative one. Based on that, the Israelites decided it wasn't worth the risk. Forty years later, Joshua sent out spies again ... but this time in a team of 2. And the people acted on their report.  Someone once said, "Committees seldom make courageous decisions." Do you agree? Disagree? Most churches LOVE committees, even when they don't always function well. Is there value to listening to a couple of bold leaders rather than a committee? What would this do to the way we "do" church?

Sometimes being a Christian feels like you're swimming upstream, against the flow. Sometimes what you think is right (aka "pleasing to God") looks a lot different than what everybody else around you thinks. How does consistent and faith-filled reading of the Bible (God's story) help us remain strong? courageous? What are your personal habits and commitments when it comes to Bible Study? How can we encourage you in your love for God and his story?


PERSONAL ACTION
Take a few moments and examine your life, in particular the decisions you have made recently. Are you being courageous, willing to go against the flow and swim upstream? Or are there some places where the force of the water has pushed you downstream a bit? Use this time to take a stand--identify one area where you are ready to change the tide, be courageous, and to do God's will.

This is a safe place to be able to share questions and fears and doubts. You can post using your name or not, whichever you prefer. And if you choose to respond to someone's comment, please be gentle with your words.