Learning Life Lessons Through The Story of Joshua (Chapters 7-13)
(Chapters 7 - 13)
Chapters 7-13 of Joshua are a self-reflective journey of forgiveness, redemption, and hope. As Yahweh leads Joshua and his army through many victories to destroy the cities and the people of the land that God gave to Israel, these chapters remind us to reflect upon the negative desire to identify and destroy the things in our lives that prevent God’s grace from filling our hearts with His love. Through this journey, we learn that we must set our hearts apart for God alone without any threat of sin. Hurts, doubts or fears may distract us from our full inheritance of the promised land. This portion of our journey with Joshua really opened the eyes of my heart to not only appreciate learning about the rich history of God’s love for His people throughout generations, but to embrace God’s lesson to us all: True freedom and a life of pure joy is possible to attain though all seasons. As I have been reminded throughout this great journey, “with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NIV).
DIRECTIVE: As you read through this portion of the study, jot down the things that may be troubling your heart and keeping God away from filling it with His promises.
Chapter 7 Achan’s Sin: Breaking God’s Covenant
Chapter 7 reminds me that, for years, I would share with family and friends that we have to watch our heart actions in everything we do for every action has a positive or negative effect on those around us. We must be aware of how our actions impact others. I would use the example of throwing a rock into a small pool of water. When the rock hits the water, it creates rings and ripples. When we stumble and sin through doubts, destructive thoughts, and distractions from God, our actions affect everything and everyone around us.
In the story of Achan, we have a man who had already sinned against God because of his lust for more. Joshua and his mighty army were stopped in Ai with a defeat. They entered this battle without praying; there was sin in the camp. In verse 7, Joshua cried out, “O Lord Yahweh, why did you lead these people across the Jordan? To be killed by the Amorites? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan.” Joshua continues to grumble and complain. In verse 10, “Yahweh spoke to Joshua: “Stand up! Why are you groveling before me? Israel has sinned! They have broken the covenant which I had commanded them to keep. They have taken forbidden plunder. They have stolen from me, taken what is mine, hidden it among their belonging, and lied about it.”
Achan’s sin had a grave impact on his life and the lives of his family. We are reminded from this chapter of Joshua just how quickly we can become separated from the presence of God in our daily lives, even when we experience recent victories with Him. Joshua and his army started out to defeat Ai without praying to Yahweh for his guidance. Achan’s lust for more than the precious gifts that God had already given him, led to sin and deceit, which destroyed the lives of his family and their future.
As I read further in the chapter, I reviewed the study notes on verse 26: leadership lessons on how we approach our daily lives. We should never become too self-confident that we are led to sin or led astray from God’s word and truth by others. We should continue to keep ourselves restored in God’s love so that we live in His promises and blessings -- for our lives and the lives of those around us.
Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes. Romans 12:2 (TPT)
DIRECTIVE: Slow down to reflect upon our thoughts before we put them into action. May we ask ourselves, “Is this what God is calling me to do…or is this my self-side leading me in what to do?”
Chapter 8 opens with a whole new day, some may say a re-start for Joshua’s army. After a recent defeat God led Joshua’s army into another great victory at Ai. “Yahweh said to Joshua, “Do not yield to fear nor shrink back because of Israel’s failure. Now, get up, take all your soldiers with you and march against Ai.”
God gave Israel the miracle of the crumbling of Jericho’s walls, but it was God’s brilliant strategy carried out by Joshua’s men that won the victory at the battle of Ai. You see, every battle we face, we must seek God for his guidance first so we learn to embrace the joys of his victory through our obedience to Him. Through the promise God gave Israel for their victory at Ai, we are reminded that we still need to release and be responsible to move forward in His plan.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:11-12 (NIV)
DIRECTIVE: What plans have been tugging on your heart from God that you have set aside? Are you fearful to start something new? Take time to get closer to God in His word and let your faith grow to be fearless in all things for God.
As we continue the journey with Joshua and the Israelites, we see how God shows His love for us, even when stumbling with the mercy of understanding. In Chapter 9, I felt as though God was showing us another level of emotions in our hearts for self-reflection. He asks us to weed out anything that causes us to react out of fear. As we often learn through our Bible studies of life, fear is the opposite of faith. And when we fear, we are not putting our trust and faith wholeheartedly in God for His purposes. This often leads us to a different path – one of conflict and challenges.
We learn how the Gibeonites deceive the Israelites in their treaty out of fear as it says in the following verses:
vs 9:24 They answered we lied, sir, because we feared our lives. We know for certain all about Moses and how he served Yahweh, your God. We know for certain that Yahweh will honor his promise to Moses to give you these lands as your own. And we know for certain that he commanded you to wipe out all the inhabitants living here and thus take possession of the land.
vs 25 Now we are at your mercy, so do with us what you consider right and proper.
vs 26 Joshua had mercy and saved them from being killed…he made them woodcutters and water carriers to serve the community.
DIRECTIVE: What fears or doubts may be trying to tug at your heart today? Write them down in your journal. Surrender the fear to God with all your Heart. Find a bible verse that conquers the fear. Continue on your heart-life journey knowing that God is always with you. See what you discover.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
We continue our journey through more courageous battles and victories. In chapter 10, we witness one of the most amazing miracles recorded in Israel’s history. Joshua stood before the people and prayed to Yahweh: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon! Moon, stay where you are over he valley of Aijalon!” And the sun, stood still in the middle of the sky and was in no hurry to set until one day became two. And the moon halted while the nation triumphed over its enemies-as it is also recorded in the Scroll of the Upright One. It was the day that Yahweh himself fought for Israel. Joshua 10:12-14 (TPT)
This miracle captured my heart with joyous peace as I learned, once again, that God goes to any length to see us win our battles when we choose to live in faith and obedience to Him.
DIRECTIVE: Write down ways you may open your heart more to God to live a life of faith to walk to embrace His promises for you.
This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)
In Chapter 11, we experience a long period of battles. This period may perhaps be a reflection of the battles in our lives that we fight and do not win quickly. Thankfully, God will make us victorious in all things. During this time, Joshua and his army destroyed the Anakim, who were the descents of Anak. They were mentioned in Numbers 13 as intimidating giants that kept the Israelites fearful in unbelief, which led them wandering in the wilderness. Here we see where Joshua eliminated the giants to allow the tribes of Israel to possess their inheritance. We learn that the giants we may have today are of our fears, doubts, hurts and uncertainties. Our giants today, like in the past, have nothing compared to God’s omnipotence.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)
Directive: Do you have giants in your life? Let God defeat them with you. Let your Faith in God lead you to victory over the giants or bullies in your life.
We finish our journey with chapters 12 and 13. Joshua has defeated every principality and power of the 31 kings guided by Yahweh, El Shaddai, Our God the Almighty. In chapter 13, we see the years have passed and Joshua is now an old man. One day, Yahweh spoke to Joshua and said to him; “Although you have reached a ripe old age, a great deal of land remains for you to conquer.” Joshua 13: 1 (TPT)
Just when I thought our great adventure was going to slow down, our God once again shows us it is not over till He says it is. He is the greatest engineer, strategic planner, miracle maker, the God Almighty of it all. What a great reminder for us to know when we may feel “stuck” or stagnant in our life’s journey. Our God, Yahweh, always has a great plan for us If we are ready to put our full faith and trust in Him.
We learn from the story of Joshua that we are never alone. God is there for us….
Directive: Is there anything you need to ask for forgiveness for from God in order to open your heart to the full promise he has in store for you?
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 (NIV)
Let’s take a seat to prepare for the final adventure with Joshua. As we gain more wisdom from our God, Yahweh, we walk with Him in the land of our inheritance that He promised for each of us as we grow in faith to be closer to him.
