Commitment in Leadership Joshua 3:1-13 SS Lesson for 01/18/2009 OUTLINE

Transcription

1 Commitment in Leadership Joshua 3:1-13 SS Lesson for 01/18/2009 Devotional Scripture: 1 Tim 3:1-12 OUTLINE INTRODUCTION OVERVIEW AND APPROACH TO LESSON LESSON INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND From the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary From the Bible Expositor and Illuminator MAJOR THEME ANALYSIS EXPOSITORY NOTES FROM JOSHUA: COURAGE FOR THE FUTURE (BY WAYLON BAILEY) LEADERSHIP THAT TRUSTS GOD (JOSH 3:1-4) Trust by waiting on God (1-2) Waiting on God because we put our trust and hope in His word (Ps 130:5-6) Waiting on God because it is good to do so (Lam 3:25-26) Waiting on God because we are commanded to do so (Hos 12:6) Waiting on God because hope demands it (Rom 8:24-25) Waiting on God because His coming is near (James 5:7-8) Having faith means that we patiently wait on God in our hope, affliction and prayers (Rom 12:12) Trust by listening to God's instructions (3-4) Listening is being receptive to what God's says (1 Sam 3:10) Listening has as its foundation the intent to practice what one has learned (Heb 5:14) To truly listen to God one has to know God (1 John 4:6) Listening means recognizing being in the presence of God (Acts 10:33) Listening means spiritually discerning what God says (1 Cor 2:14) LEADERSHIP THAT OBEYS GOD (JOSH 3:5-8) Obedience through sanctification (5) Sanctification is when God makes one blameless (1 Thess 5:23) Sanctification through the blood of Jesus (Heb 9:13-14) Sanctification is setting apart Jesus as Lord in our heart (1 Peter 3:15) Sanctification is presenting our body as a slave to God in righteousness (Rom 6:19) Sanctification is the purpose for which God has called His people (1 Thess 4:7) Obedience through action (6) Actions based on the belief in God's power will always be victorious regardless of circumstances (Judg 7:2-8) We should never let human powers cause us to do actions that disobey God (Dan 3:18) Even after starting to take action, we must stay focused on our belief in God to endure (Matt 14:27-31) In our action, we must be careful we don't depend on our own strength because there are circumstances that humanly will cause us to stumble (Luke 22:59-62) Obedience knowing that God is with us (7) Through the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17) Through His abiding in me (John 15:4-5) Through His communion with me (John 14:23) Because God is with us to comfort us (Ps 23:4) Obedience by standing still without doubt or fear (8) Because doubting causes unstableness (James 1:6-8) Because we should not have a spirit of fear (2 Tim 1:7) Because the battle is the Lord's (2 Chron 20:17) Because God's power is the strongest when we are the weakest (2 Cor 12:9) By doing our part and having faith in God doing His(from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator) LEADERSHIP THAT FOLLOWS GOD (JOSH 3:9-13) Following by seeking and being attentive to God's word (9) Commitment in Leadership Page 1 of 13 SS Lesson for 01/18/2009

2 Through Bible study and prayer (Isa 55:6) Through living God's word (Ps 119:9-16) Following by knowing that God works in others before we get there (10) Sometimes to help us (Acts 9:10-12) Sometimes to do the will of God (Luke 22:8-13) Sometimes to help others (Acts 8:26-31) God's faithful promises (from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator) Following the power and guidance of God (11) Because He is the light (John 8:12) Because I am a member of God's body (Deut. 27:9-10) Following by selecting and using accountability partners (12) To correct us when we don't know (Acts 18:24-26) To restore us when we have strayed (Gal 6:1-2) Following by depending on God's miraculous power to deliver us (13) Depend on God's faithfulness (2 Cor 1:10) Depend on God's promises (Ps 34:19) CONCLUSION AND OTHER THOUGHTS CONCLUDING THOUGHTS FROM THE NIV STANDARD LESSON COMMENTARY CONCLUDING THOUGHTS FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR PRACTICAL POINTS FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR HEART OF THE LESSON FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR Israel prepared for conquest (Josh. 3:1-6) Joshua obeyed God (Josh. 3:7-13) Commitment in Leadership Page 2 of 13 SS Lesson for 01/18/2009

3 Introduction Overview and Approach to Lesson The major ouline of the lesson came from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator and parts came from a previous SS Lesson dated 11/14/1999. The lesson studies the Commitment of Leadership. The study's aim is to learn that God is with His people in the difficult times of life. The study's application is to listen to God when we are faced with life's problems and seek to do His will. Lesson Introduction and Background From the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary He had been one of those outstanding elders in a local church. He was a businessman, but his real interest in life was God s Word. He loved nothing more than to talk about the Bible at length with preachers and Bible college professors whom he met. With his concordance he had done word studies and researched many topics. Now, however, he was concerned. His health was declining, and within a short period of time others would have to take his leadership role in the church. He may not have been the chairman, but for years he had been the leader whose wisdom was sought in every situation. His concerns were expressed in an article that he wrote, Passing the Mantle. Its title comes from the occasion when Elijah was taken to Heaven in a whirlwind and dropped his mantle (or cloak) to Elisha, who was going to succeed him as the leader of the prophets (2 Kings 2:11 13). Leadership transitions have two dimensions: the concerns of the one who has been the leader and the concerns of the successor. The former leader may wonder if the successor will bring to ruin what years of work have accomplished; in some cases the one receiving the mantle of leadership does little more than bask in the benefits that are available. The forward momentum slows, and over a period of time there is a reversal of the positive motion that had been in effect. The one giving up leadership also may wonder if the one who follows will do so well that many will question why the previous leader was not able to accomplish as much. The successor also confronts certain issues. Can I do as well? Will I fail? are questions of self-doubt. The new leader may want to change the image or methodology of the organization while wondering how the changes will be received. Some people cannot handle change; others delight in it. This lesson presents the first leadership challenge that Joshua faced after he succeeded Moses. Moses had been the father of the nation, and he had accomplished much in the 40 years that he was the leader. At times the Israelites rebelled against God and Moses, but Moses always met the challenges. Would Joshua himself be equal to the obstacles that the nation was to face in Canaan? Assurances had been given (see Joshua 1), but was Joshua up to the job? The background for this lesson is essentially the same as in the previous lesson about Rahab. Featured here will be a review of references to Joshua during the previous part of his life the 40 years in the wilderness that were years of preparation for his task as Moses successor. The first mention of Joshua occurs just after the initial time that Moses struck a rock for water to flow from that rock (Exodus 17). The Amalekites, a wandering desert group descended from Esau, immediately attacked, perhaps desiring possession of the new water supply. Moses selected Joshua to organize an army out of the inexperienced Israelites to confront the enemy. Moses needed the assistance of someone like Joshua, so the next reference to him is as Moses aide (Exodus 24:13). At that time Moses ascended Mt. Sinai to receive the two tablets with the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20) and the Law in oral form. Joshua was permitted to go beyond the point where Moses instructed the elders to wait for us until they returned (Exodus 24:14). Young Joshua is also mentioned as remaining in what Moses called the tent of meeting, perhaps to care for it as a part of his ministry to Moses (Exodus 33:7 11). In Numbers 13 and 14, Joshua was one of the 12 spies who entered Canaan from the south. That 40-day period turned into 40 years when the Israelites developed the grasshopper complex (Numbers 13:33). As the people heard the negative reports of 10 spies, they sided with the majority. Only Joshua and Caleb of the 12 had the faith needed to forge ahead into Canaan, and they encouraged the people to do so. The people attempted to stone the two good spies, but God prevented it (Numbers 14:10). The penalty was not only 40 years in the wilderness (14:34), but God decreed that 603,548 out the 603,550 men of war would die in the wilderness during the time Commitment in Leadership Page 3 of 13 SS Lesson for 01/18/2009

4 remaining (see Deuteronomy 2:14). This averaged more than 40 funerals per day, each a reminder of the rebellion against God. Joshua was designated by the Lord to be Moses successor. Joshua was a man in whom is the spirit (Numbers 27:18), and he was commissioned or ordained by Eleazar (the son of Aaron who became the high priest after Aaron died; 27:19 23). Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had also laid his hands on him (Deuteronomy 34:9). In one of Moses last addresses to the nation, he commended Joshua to the people. He also challenged Joshua to be strong and courageous (Deuteronomy 31:7). At that time the Lord himself commissioned Joshua with the same admonition (31:14, 23) and did so again in Joshua 1. Joshua was God-chosen to lead the people across the Jordan, into the promised land. The events of the first two chapters of the book of Joshua lead up to the dramatic event about to take place. The people assure Joshua that they will follow him as they had followed Moses. Joshua reminds the two and one-half eastern tribes of their commitment to help in the conquest on the western side of the Jordan River. The incident of the spies and Rahab (last week s lesson) provides the important information that the inhabitants of the land are fearful. All is in readiness. From the Bible Expositor and Illuminator Perhaps you remember the song "On Jordan's Stormy Banks," written by Samuel Stennett. It says: On Jordan's stormy banks I stand, And cast a wishful eye, To Canaan's fair and happy land, Where my possessions lie. All o'er those wide extended plains shines one eternal day: Where God the Son forever reigns and scatters night away. When shall I reach that happy place, and be forever blest? When shall I see my Father's face, and in His bosom rest? The chorus says: I am bound for the promised land, I am bound for the promised land, O who will come and go with me? 1 am bound for the promised land. When Israel camped by the Jordan preparing to cross into Canaan, they knew they faced warfare against many powerful city-states. Thus, crossing the Jordan into Canaan is not a good analogy of passing through death into heaven, because when we make that journey, all our battles and uncertainties will be forever over. The dramatic crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites under Joshua's command involved two types of props. The first was the ark of the covenant, carried by the Levitical priests. It symbolized the presence of God among His people. The second was the twelve stones picked up from the riverbed by representatives of the twelve tribes of Israel and deposited in a heap at Gilgal, east of Jericho. They symbolized the miracle that allowed Israel to cross the river on dry land (Josh. 4:19-24). The first chapter of the book of Joshua reveals God passing the leadership of Israel from Moses to the younger Joshua. The first divine command was "Go over this Jordan" (Josh. 1:2). The spies who came back from Jericho reported that the inhabitants of the land were terrorized by what God had done through Israel (2:23-24). Once again, the Lord told Joshua that He would make him great in the sight of Israel (3:7). The stage was now set for God to back up His words with supernatural action. Major Theme Analysis (Scriptural Text from the New King James Version; cross-references from the NIV) Expository Notes from Joshua: Courage for the Future (by Waylon Bailey) 3:6-8. The instructions for the priests and the people involved their following the commands of the Lord. The success of the people would be tied to their obedience. The priests were to take up the ark and begin the descent into the Jordan. At this time of the year the Jordan flooded and crossing it presented a formidable challenge (see Josh. 3:15). The priests were to stand at the edge of the river. As they then stepped into the current, the waters upstream would pile up in a heap, allowing the people to cross the Jordan on dry ground. The sequence of events seemingly was quite important. Only when the priests obeyed God would the Jordan cease flowing. They would have to get their feet wet before they would see the wonders of the Lord. This often seems to be the way God works in our lives. We do not see how He will provide deliverance until we are willing to put our feet in the water and trust Him. 3:9-10. When the people saw the wonders (v. 5) of the Lord, they would know through experience that the living God was among them. Then they would have additional assurance the Lord would do what He said and dispossess the nations of the land of Canaan. The mention of the seven names of the people who lived Commitment in Leadership Page 4 of 13 SS Lesson for 01/18/2009

5 there was the traditional way of describing the land of Canaan. Canaanite referred to people who dwelled west of the Jordan River. In a specific sense, the Canaanites described those who lived in the Jordan Valley. The people called Hittite originally ruled in Anatolia in the second half of the second millennium B.C. Their reign ended about 1200 B.C. In the Old Testament, the term Hittite often referred to non- Semitic people who lived in the northern section of Canaan. People described by Hivite were those who settled in Gibeon. Perizzite may be an ethnic term, but many scholars believe the term actually referred to a poorer class of people who lived outside the walls of cities and villages. Others think that the Perizzites referred to people who lived in the central portion of the land. Girgashite refers to the most puzzling people in the list. They were not associated with any specific area and their name does not refer to any known ethnic group. Like the Canaanites, those called Amorite were Semitic people who inhabited a large portion of the land. The term usually referred to those dwelling in the central hill country. They seem to have come from Mesopotamia, febusite refers to those who lived in Jerusalem. 3: Joshua announced to the people they could know God was with them because the ark would cross the Jordan ahead of them. He also indicated twelve priests, one for each tribe, would be chosen to carry the ark. (Later, twelve men, one from each tribe, would take up stones to be placed as a monument to the Lord s work.) As the priests carrying the ark set foot in the Jordan, the water upstream would pile up allowing the people of Israel to cross the river. Recently our church has been making important decisions concerning relocation and church growth. We have noticed that God gives exactly what His people need when they need it. Many Christians want to walk by sight rather than by faith. They want God to show them ahead of time what He will do for them. This biblical example shows that God works when we need His work rather than ahead of time. Only when the priests had the faith to obey God and put their feet in the river would the water be cut off upstream. Leadership that Trusts God (Josh 3:1-4) 1 Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from Acacia Grove and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they crossed over. 2 So it was, after three days, that the officers went through the camp; 3 and they commanded the people, saying, "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. 4 "Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before." Trust by waiting on God (1-2) Waiting on God because we put our trust and hope in His word (Ps 130:5-6) 5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Waiting on God because it is good to do so (Lam 3:25-26) 25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Waiting on God because we are commanded to do so (Hos 12:6) 6 But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always. Waiting on God because hope demands it (Rom 8:24-25) 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Commitment in Leadership Page 5 of 13 SS Lesson for 01/18/2009

6 Waiting on God because His coming is near (James 5:7-8) 7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. Having faith means that we patiently wait on God in our hope, affliction and prayers (Rom 12:12) 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Trust by listening to God's instructions (3-4) Listening is being receptive to what God's says (1 Sam 3:10) 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." Listening has as its foundation the intent to practice what one has learned (Heb 5:14) 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. To truly listen to God one has to know God (1 John 4:6) 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. Listening means recognizing being in the presence of God (Acts 10:33) 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us." Listening means spiritually discerning what God says (1 Cor 2:14) 14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. Leadership that Obeys God (Josh 3:5-8) 5 And Joshua said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you." 6 Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, "Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people. 7 And the LORD said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. 8 "You shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, 'When you have come to the edge of the water of the Jordan, you shall stand in the Jordan.'" Obedience through sanctification (5) Sanctification is when God makes one blameless (1 Thess 5:23) 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sanctification through the blood of Jesus (Heb 9:13-14) 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood Commitment in Leadership Page 6 of 13 SS Lesson for 01/18/2009

7 of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Sanctification is setting apart Jesus as Lord in our heart (1 Peter 3:15) 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, Sanctification is presenting our body as a slave to God in righteousness (Rom 6:19) 19 I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. Sanctification is the purpose for which God has called His people (1 Thess 4:7) 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Obedience through action (6) Actions based on the belief in God's power will always be victorious regardless of circumstances (Judg 7:2-8) 2 The Lord said to Gideon, "You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, 3 announce now to the people, 'Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.'" So twentytwo thousand men left, while ten thousand remained. 4 But the Lord said to Gideon, "There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say, 'This one shall go with you,' he shall go; but if I say, 'This one shall not go with you,' he shall not go." 5 So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, "Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink." 6 Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink. 7 The Lord said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place." 8 So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others. Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley. We should never let human powers cause us to do actions that disobey God (Dan 3:18) 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Even after starting to take action, we must stay focused on our belief in God to endure (Matt 14:27-31) 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 28 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29 "Come," he said.then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" In our action, we must be careful we don't depend on our own strength because there are circumstances that humanly will cause us to stumble (Luke 22:59-62) 59 About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." 60 Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly. Commitment in Leadership Page 7 of 13 SS Lesson for 01/18/2009

8 Obedience knowing that God is with us (7) Through the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you Through His abiding in me (John 15:4-5) 4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. Through His communion with me (John 14:23) 23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Because God is with us to comfort us (Ps 23:4) 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Obedience by standing still without doubt or fear (8) Because doubting causes unstableness (James 1:6-8) 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. Because we should not have a spirit of fear (2 Tim 1:7) 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind Because the battle is the Lord's (2 Chron 20:17) 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you." Because God's power is the strongest when we are the weakest (2 Cor 12:9) 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. By doing our part and having faith in God doing His(from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator) Whereas the visible object God used in parting the Red Sea was Moses rod, the visible object He used at the Jordan was the ark of the covenant, the symbol of His presence. Through Joshua He commanded the priests to carry it to the brink of the water of Jordan and to stand in the water itself. Only then would He work His miracle. This command illustrates an often repeated biblical principle: that God will not do for humans what they can do for themselves (cf. Mark 5:41-43). While the priests could not carry the ark across the river, they could bring it to its edge; and this God expected. This also illustrates the necessity of taking a step of faith in obeying God s commands. The priests were instructed to step into the water by faith, trusting God to open the way for the next step. Standing back some distance from the river would not do. He would not Commitment in Leadership Page 8 of 13 SS Lesson for 01/18/2009

9 show the rest of the way until they had gone as far as they could by faith. In the same way, we cannot expect divine guidance through difficult circumstances unless by faith we have followed as far as we can. Leadership that Follows God (Josh 3:9-13) 9 So Joshua said to the children of Israel, "Come here, and hear the words of the LORD your God." 10 And Joshua said, "By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Hivites and the Perizzites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Jebusites: 11 "Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over before you into the Jordan. 12 "Now therefore, take for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man from every tribe. 13 "And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, the waters that come down from upstream, and they shall stand as a heap." Following by seeking and being attentive to God's word (9) Through Bible study and prayer (Isa 55:6) 6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Through living God's word (Ps 119:9-16) 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 12 Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. 13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. 14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. 15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. 16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. Following by knowing that God works in others before we get there (10) Sometimes to help us (Acts 9:10-12) 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered. 11 The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight." Sometimes to do the will of God (Luke 22:8-13) 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover." 9 "Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked. 10 He replied, "As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11and say to the owner of the house, `The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' 12He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there." 13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. Sometimes to help others (Acts 8:26-31) 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road-the desert road-that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." 30 Then Commitment in Leadership Page 9 of 13 SS Lesson for 01/18/2009

10 Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked. 31 "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. God's faithful promises (from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator) Joshua called Israel together, probably in the persons of its chief tribal representatives, who would convey his words to their groups. Come hither, he said, and hear the words of the Lord your God. Up to this time, the Israelites did not know how they would cross the river; Joshua would now tell them. As he was about to do so, he told the significance of what was about to happen. First, the miracle would prove that the living God (Josh. 3:10) was among them. Joshua called Him living to distinguish Him from the dead pieces of wood and stone worshiped by the Canaanites in the land. There was only one living God, and He was in Israel s midst! Second, the miracle would be a guarantee that God would drive out the seven nations then inhabiting the land (Josh. 3:10). Without fail stresses the absolute certainty of victory. The miraculous crossing of the Jordan would be a down payment on all that God would do for Israel. In the same manner, God s mighty deeds for us in this present life guarantee more blessings to follow. He which hath begun a good work in you, wrote Paul, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6). In particular, the Holy Spirit is His guarantee that the rest of the spiritual inheritance promised will eventually be ours (Eph. 1:14). Following the power and guidance of God (11) Because He is the light (John 8:12) 12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Because I am a member of God's body (Deut. 27:9-10) 10 Then Moses and the priests, who are Levites, said to all Israel, "Be silent, O Israel, and listen! You have now become the people of the Lord your God. [10] Obey the Lord your God and follow his commands and decrees that I give you today." Commentary from Life Application Notes Moses was reviewing the law with the new generation of people. When we decide to believe in God, we must also decide to follow his ways. What we do shows what we really believe. Can people tell that you are a member of God's family? Following by selecting and using accountability partners (12) To correct us when we don't know (Acts 18:24-26) 24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. To restore us when we have strayed (Gal 6:1-2) 1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ Commitment in Leadership Page 10 of 13 SS Lesson for 01/18/2009

11 Following by depending on God's miraculous power to deliver us (13) Depend on God's faithfulness (2 Cor 1:10) He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, Depend on God's promises (Ps 34:19) A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; Conclusion and Other Thoughts Concluding Thoughts from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary Ancient Jews did not choose Moses, Joshua, etc., by democratic process. Those men could choose subordinates (example: Exodus 18:24 26), but God is the one who chose the main leaders. Today, God has allowed nations and churches the privilege of choosing their leaders. Secular books and lectures by motivational speakers often develop the theme of how to be a good leader. But some of the finest thoughts on the qualities and qualifications of being a leader are found in the New Testament. One important passage is Acts 6:3. There the apostles needed others to assume the benevolent task of distributing food to the needy. The required qualifications for the men to be full of the Spirit and wisdom may seem to be rather high for such a menial chore, but the church must always choose her leaders wisely. Two other important passages, almost parallel to each other, are 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Listed are attributes that overseers (or elders) in the church should have prior to being given the challenging task of being responsible to give an account for those in their care (see Hebrews 13:17). Those two lists include, among other things, concerns that the leader be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, selfcontrolled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach. Negatively, the lists speak of a leader not given to drunkenness, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money, not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not pursuing dishonest gain. Whether it is at the national level or within the church or concerning any group having designated leaders, the admonition is still true: choose your leaders wisely. Another admonition is that leaders should ensure that they are worthy of being followed. Joshua did! Concluding Thoughts from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator When invading a country, one would expect that the military would lead the charge with the best weapons and best prepared soldiers leading the way. One might also expect the leader to make sure all the tools of war were ready for such an adventure. But Joshua, Israel's leader, understood where his power and ability came from. His focus was on being prepared spiritually, knowing that it was God, not their army, who would give them victory. Joshua knew God was with him, and he had seen God work mighty miracles. God had made a commitment to Joshua. Joshua believed the promise and acted on it as he began his leadership role. He may not have known how God would do things or how God would provide, but the knowledge that God would provide gave him all the confidence he needed. When the Hebrews arrived at the Jordan River, they found it at flood stage, which could make crossing very difficult. Joshua had waited forty years for this moment. He was not discouraged because God would certainly get them across the river and give them victory as they entered the land. He was also replacing Moses as the leader, which was no small task. Moses had led Israel out of Egypt; Joshua had big shoes to fill. Instead of trying to convince the people to respect his leadership, he put the focus on God and on the spiritual realities of what they were about to do. As they prepared to cross the river and enter the land, "Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you" (Josh. 3:5). Making sure one is prepared spiritually is even more important than being prepared physically for any task. God had promised Joshua that He would be with him. Joshua did not relate this to the people but told them that God would be with them as they entered the land (Josh. 3:10). The previous generation had experienced the parting of the Red Sea, and the people of Jericho and the rest of Canaan had heard about that miracle. There is no indication in the text that the Israelites expected this kind of thing to happen again, but it would not be surprising if Commitment in Leadership Page 11 of 13 SS Lesson for 01/18/2009

12 the Canaanites had considered the possibility. Even though they did not know how it would happen, Joshua and the people prepared to cross the river, believing that God would provide a way. Joshua focused the people's attention on getting ready for God to act. They had received the report from the spies and knew that the people on the other side of the river were living in fear. This could have made the Israelites overconfident, but Joshua remained focused on being prepared spiritually. He had seen the people of Israel refuse to go into the land forty years earlier after a negative report. Ten of the spies had created fear among the people back then. This time the spies brought back a positive report of the fear now being on the other side. Armed with this knowledge, Joshua set to work preparing the invasion. God promised to be with him, and that was all he needed. The priests led the charge across the river, showing that it was God who would provide the victory. Practical Points from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator 1. We are always safest when following the Lord, even when the way He leads us is difficult (Josh. 3:13) 2. Spiritual battles require spiritual preparation (vs. 4) 3. Commitment to the Lord enables us to see His hand at work in all situations (vs. 5) 4. We are not to seek honor in the Lord's service; He will honor us in due time (vs. 6-8) 5. God is Lord of all the earth; thus, no earthly power can thwart His will (vs. 9-12) 6. We should view obstacles as opportunities for our faith to grow (vs. 13) Heart of the Lesson from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator Moses led the Israelites for forty years. He brought them out of Egypt, took them through the Red Sea, and stayed with them when, because of their unbelief, they had to wander in the wilderness until the older generation died. God had met with Moses on Mount Sinai and given him the Ten Commandments. Now 120 years old, Moses was about to die. Moses' assistant, Joshua, was to be the next leader. Joshua had huge sandals to fill! He was different from Moses in some ways. He was a warrior and a spy who led the people in battle against the Amalekites. God knew Joshua was just the kind of leader needed for this new phase in Israel's history. It was time to conquer the Promised Land. Israel prepared for conquest (Josh. 3:1-6) The target was Jericho, but the Jordan River was in the way. Joshua had received the report of the spies; the people of Jericho were terrified of Israel and ripe for the picking. Joshua did not want to wait until the river subsided from its spring flood stage. The officers told the people to keep their eyes on the ark of the covenant and to keep following it. The ark was the major symbol of God's presence. The ark would lead the way, but the people were to stay about three thousand feet behind it so that they could see it and honor it. The people were to sanctify themselves before the battle. They were to be ceremonially clean, that is, set apart in their relationship with God. Joshua spoke boldly by faith to all the people. He said that God would do wonders before their eyes. They were dependent upon Him. Joshua obeyed God (Josh. 3:7-13) Earlier, God had told Joshua to be strong and full of courage. God promised to be with Joshua, just as He had been with Moses. God told Joshua to tell the priests to stand still with the ark at the edge of the Jordan River. Then Joshua told the people that they would know the living God was with them. God would drive out all the Canaanite people because they were so evil. Joshua told twelve men, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, to each gather a large rock from the river as a memorial of this great day. Then Joshua said that God would move back the waters of the Jordan River so that the people could walk across on dry ground. This was exactly how God worked in the Red Sea crossing forty years before when Pharaoh's army was after them. This Jordan River crossing was a momentous event. It allowed the conquest of Jericho. It also brought to life old memories about the Red Sea crossing. Because of their sin the older generation, who had experienced the Red Sea crossing, were all dead except Joshua and Caleb, who had believed God's promises about conquering the land. The younger people knew the story, of course, but it had happened forty years before; so it was like ancient history to them. God's miracle with the Jordan River Commitment in Leadership Page 12 of 13 SS Lesson for 01/18/2009

13 was an encouragement to trust in Him. God knew Joshua was the right man for the conquest phase of His people's history. He had been preparing Joshua his whole life so that he would be fully equipped. Joshua showed his faith and commitment to God when he completely obeyed what God told him to do even though this particular battle was not the warfare Joshua expected. God prepares each of us to be the person we need to be. He will be with us in all we do if we are committed to Him, following and obeying Him. Commitment in Leadership Page 13 of 13 SS Lesson for 01/18/2009