OVERVIEW: ENTER, CONQUER, POSSESS

Transcription

1 THE L.I.F.E. PLAN OVERVIEW: ENTER, CONQUER, POSSESS BLOCK 2 THEME 5 - THE CONQUEST OF THE PROMISED LAND LESSON 4 (56 of 216)

2 BLOCK 2 THEME 5: THE CONQUEST OF THE PROMISED LAND LESSON 4 (56 OF 216): OVERVIEW: ENTER, CONQUER, POSSESS LESSON AIM: Briefly review Israel s entrance into the promised land. SCRIPTURE: (Joshua 1:1-9) The book of Joshua is a book of preparation, conquest, and victory. The children of Israel, forty years out of Egypt, had finally come again to the edge of the promised land. The last time they were here they mad a critical mistake. Urged by Joshua and Caleb to go into the land the congregation of Israel listened to the faint-hearted spies and were gripped by fear. They refused to follow the Lord into the new land and fell under the judgement of God. Their entering the land would be delayed one year for every day the spies had spent canvassing the promised land. Forty days cost them forty years of delay. Once again, Joshua brought Israel to an old familiar place and made ready to go into the land of promise. The content of the book of Joshua is divided into three parts. Part one has to do with their entrance into the land. They made preparation for what they had to do once they were there. The first area of preparation was in the heart of the leader, Joshua. The book opens with the charge God gave to him as he was about to enter Canaan. God reminded Joshua that he had given them this land. Every place where they would set their foot would become theirs. He also promised him that no one would be able to successfully stand against their advance during his lifetime. God would be with him just as he had been with Moses. God also specifically told Joshua that his success would be contingent upon his following the Word of God. As long as Israel observed the Lord s commands, they would prosper. Several times, God encouraged Joshua to have courage and be strong. God would be with him and there was no need to fear or be dismayed. Israel also had to prepare their military to enter the promised land. Joshua sent spies into Jericho to gather intelligence on the city as he had planned to take it first. Here is a great lesson that can be applied in our lives today. Even though God promises to go with us and be with us and bring us victories, he still expects us to use our heads and be prepared. God has so determined that the outcome he will bring about partly comes through our thinking, preparation, and planning. Joshua did not sit back and wait on God to bring them a victory at Jericho without his part in finding out what he was up against and determining how he would go about this military campaign. The people of Israel also had to be prepared for the promised land. God parted the waters of the Jordan River and brought them into Canaan. This crossing of the river was, in effect, a point of no return. Once in Canaan, they would have to press onward to accomplish the intended goal. This was a new generation of Israelites. Their ancestors who had left Egypt were all dead. At Gilgal, the men of Israel took on the

3 mark of circumcision that identified them as the people of God. This mark signified the casting away of the life of the flesh to walk in the ways of the Lord. When they were healed from the circumcision, they were ready to take on their first assault and win their first victory in the land promised to Abraham long ago. Part two of the book of Joshua has to do with the conquest of the peoples of the land. Although God had promised the land to Israel and was about to give it to them, other people inhabited the land. They would have to be driven out. We have already seen how Joshua and Israel took the cities of Jericho and Ai. This part of the book reveals why these cities were taken first. The cities of Jericho and Ai were in central Canaan. Joshua struck first in the center of the land, cutting the land in two, dividing the north from the south. By taking a position in the middle, he could prevent very strong alliances being made against Israel from the whole region, and he could wage war in the two directions. This is exactly what he did, taking the major foes of the south, and turning to those of the north. By the time he had covered the territory, every major foe had fallen to Israel. Other smaller foes still occupied the land but they would be manageable for the tribes of Israel as each tribe took their inheritance in the new land. Chapter twelve is a summary of the kings and kingdoms which Israel smote in their conquest of the promised land. In the book of Joshua, Israel entered the land, conquered the land, and went on to possess the land. Part three of the book concerns the division of the land to each of the tribes of Israel. The land was divided and lots were cast to determine which portion of land each tribe would receive. Two and a half tribes had already taken an inheritance on the east side of the Jordan. The other nine and a half tribes settled in the west. The Levites were scattered throughout the land in forty-eight cities. In this way, the influence of the law and teaching of God s Word could permeate the people of God, keeping his ways ever before them. One problem arose when the tribes on the eastern side of Jordan erected an altar unto God. Since the altar of God was at Shiloh, the other tribes saw this as a division and was prepared to go to war against their brothers. Explaining their reasoning behind the altar, the eastern tribes said it was not meant for offering sacrifices but to stand as a witness that they were of the children of God as were the tribes on the west of Jordan. This explanation satisfied the other tribes and diffused the situation, however, the altar was unnecessary and could have led to confusion among the Israelites. The book closes with the parting of Joshua and his farewell address to his people. Having gathered all Israel together with their leaders, Joshua made one of the most memorable statements of faith, allegiance, and challenge to the people of God. His words are still repeated today among those who would encourage the same: Choose you this day whom you will serve; as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua died, being 110 years old. The sections of the book of Joshua are a good pattern for the challenges we face today as believers in Christ. We have to enter the abundant life promised to us by Christ, drive out the enemy, and possess the new land by faith.

4 LESSON OUTLINE BLOCK 2 THEME 5: THE CONQUEST OF THE PROMISED LAND LESSON 4 (56 OF 216): OVERVIEW: ENTER, CONQUER, POSSESS I ENTERING THE LAND A. Preparation of the leader B. Preparation of the army C. Preparation of the people II CONQUERING THE LAND A. In the center B. In the south C. In the north III POSSESSING THE LAND A. The portions of the land B. The problem of the altar of witness C. The parting of Joshua SCRIPTURES TO BROADEN YOUR UNDERSTANDING 1. Charge to Joshua Joshua 1: Joshua conquered the promised land Joshua 11:23 2. Joshua s charge to Israel Joshua 24:15 LINES OF THEOLOGICAL CONNECTION 1. TYPOLOGY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT Crossing the Jordan River Canaan Joshua 2. ANTHROPOLOGY Living the abundant life in Christ

5 3. ESCHATOLOGY Israel is still the rightful owner of the promised land Israel will one day occupy the land in its entirety QUESTIONS ANSWER KEY 1. List the three parts of the book of Joshua. Entering the land; Conquering the land; Possessing the land 2. What was Joshua s strategy for taking the land? Strike in the center and divide the land; clean up the south then the north 3. Why was it not right for the two and a half tribes to settle on the east side of Jordan, short of the promised land? They settled short of what God wanted for them 4. Even though God has a purpose for us, what does he want us to do? Not to think it will happen without our active role of thinking, planning, and action 5. God told Joshua several times to be strong and courageous. Are you facing anything in which this advice could help you? Student response 6. What is your decision to the challenge of Joshua to choose today whom you will serve? Student response 7. To what situation can you apply the principles of this book: enter, conquer, and possess? Student response

6 BLOCK 2 THEME 5: THE CONQUEST OF THE PROMISED LAND LESSON 4 (56 OF 216): OVERVIEW: ENTER, CONQUER, POSSESS QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE THOUGHT 1. List the three parts of the book of Joshua. 2. What was Joshua s strategy for taking the land? 3. Why was it not right for the two and a half tribes to settle on the east side of Jordan, short of the promised land? 4. Even though God has a purpose for us, what does he want us to do? 5. God told Joshua several times to be strong and courageous. Are you facing anything in which this advice could help you? 6. What is your decision to the challenge of Joshua to choose today whom you will serve? 7. To what situation can you apply the principles of this book: enter, conquer, and possess?