Barak was supposed to go to battle, but he wanted some help. “And Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!” (Judges 4:8 NKJV) Deborah went with him because she knew that was God’s will. All of us have probably been on both sides of these situations at some point in our life and should always be willing to help when the…
The Israelites had moved into the land that God had promised them. There were certain responsibilities that they had been given. “and you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall break down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed my voice. What is this you have done?” (Judges 2:2) Did it really matter that they did not completely follow His commands? Even though we may not understand how or why, the commands of God have…
We read many times in God’s Word about the influence of a good example. “Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had known all the works of the LORD which He had done for Israel.” (Joshua 24:31 NKJV) “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.” (Philippians 3:17 NKJV) Of all the examples that we can…
“But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” These well known words from Joshua 24:15 were spoken by Joshua to the tribes. Their response was one that would be expected. They said they could not forsake the God who brought them out of slavery and did all these great things for them. Joshua’s response to them was “You are not able to serve the LORD…”(24:19). Did he really mean that there was no way they could…
Joshua was guided by God to assign the land in Canaan to the Israelites. Each of the twelve tribes were given an allotment of land. The children of Joseph were separated into two; the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh. Joseph’s descendants complained to Joshua and said they should be allotted more land. (Joshua 17:14) Their reason was that they were a “great people”. Joshua’s response was perfect. He told them if they were great, then they had the power to go…
Caleb reminded Joshua of an inheritance that had been promised to him because of his obedience. “So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children’s forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.’” (Joshua 14:9 NKJV) We are also promised an inheritance if we are obedient. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten…
In Joshua 11:15 we again read of Joshua following God’s plan completely. “He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses.” Could he have followed most of God’s commands and been ok? Could he have changed around one or two things that he wanted to do differently? What if he thought he had some ideas about how do to things that would be simpler that God’s way? Maybe he learned from what happened when Moses struck the rock…
In Joshua chapter 6 we read of God’s command to Joshua on how to take the city of Jericho. They were to march around the city once a day for six days. Then on the seventh day they were to march around it seven times. How would that help win a battle? It won the battle because God is in control. It won the battle because Joshua and the Israelites followed God’s plan exactly how He spelled it out to…
The book of Joshua begins with the Lord preparing a leader to replace Moses. Two times in the first chapter God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous (vs. 6, 9) and a third time He tells him to be strong and very courageous (v. 7). In between those admonitions He speaks to Joshua the words recorded in verse 8, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night,…
Many times in scripture God is described as a rock. “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.” (Deuteronomy 32:4) Hannah included the comparison in her prayer. “There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.” (1 Samuel 2:2) David had a song about God saving him from his enemies that included a rock. “And he said, The LORD…