my notes for The Story, chapter 7 (Joshua)

I forgot to post these earlier! OOPS!
If you want my outlines for this one-- or a copy of my book on Joshua-- drop me a line.

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-review Genesis 1-11, 12-50; Exodus 1-18, 19-40; Numbers; Deuteronomy

1:1-5 (read 1:1-2)

-Why Not Moses?...a great leader (Num 12:3, Dt 34:10-12, Heb 11:24-28)

-...but disobedient/lacked faith

-cleaner transition of leadership: Num 27:15-20, Dt 31:1-8

-as a by-product, perhaps needed a break from Moses to trust God more fully (can’t trust new leader as much!)

-Why Joshua?

-great name: Hoshea --> Joshua (salvation --> the Lord saves; Num 13:8,16)

-other parallels: tries to bring them into the promised rest (Heb 4:8-9), enables the people to defeat their enemies (Rom 8:37)

-great training as Moses' aide: since youth (Num 11:28); involved in battle with the Amalekites (Ex 17:8-14), at Mt. Sinai (Ex 24:13), and at the tabernacle (Ex 33:11)

-w/ app. to great op to work under mentors

-J had also seen how God worked (Dt 3:21-22; w/ app.)

-great courage in daring to be different (10 vs. 2 spies)

-did not fear men (Num 14:9)

-indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Num 27:18, Dt 34:9)

à leadership emerged from a time of teaching and training (i.e., discipleship; empowerment and mentoring), and then trusting

--> the result: dependence on God, victory over enemies; J finishes what M couldn't complete (see also: Christ and Law)

-Neh 8:17's peak under Joshua

1:6-9's call to possession (God cont’d)

-"be strong & courageous" x 3 ("steadfast", "determined and confident" in some translations); 9b’s “do not be terrified [or] discouraged” (1:18; II Tim 1:7)

-given God's promises in 1:3-5 and God’s presence in 1:9b; resources then responsibilities (w/ app.; Eph 3:17b-18's power)

-God's P and their P (vs. God giving it to us)

-the need for this pre-invasion pep talk—unanticipated difficulties or more likely, given the mostly understood difficulty of the task ahead and given their (parents’) history

-the need for repetition (w/ app.)

-in mktg and advertising; "location" * 3

-in teaching, tell them what you're going to tell them, tell them, and tell them what you told them; me say does not equal you know

1:12-15's The Call to Unity and Rest (not in The Story)

-14-15's UNITY (Jn 17's last prayer, Rom 15:5-6, Eph 4:1 --> 4:2-16)

-13,15's REST = secure borders, peace with neighbors, absence of threat to life and well-being (I Kings 5:4); fight and fruit...for us?

-Christ leads us to rest-- salvation/justification (Mt 11:28-30 incl. yoke-- the Law)

-Christ leads us to rest & victory-- within sanctification (Rom 5:10; Rom 5:17's "receive" and "reigning in life"; Is 14:3-4, Heb 4:1-3, 8-11 and refer back to 3:19)

2:1-3's Introduction; The Spies Go In

-1's "secretly", trying to avoid Moses' "spy problems" (Num 13-14), controlling info, Jericho only vs. Macro

-underlines 2's not great, but faithful spies; in weakness, God can be more glorified

-3's confrontation sets table for God’s hand and Rahab’s faith and courage

-key: Rahab as 1's prostitute or innkeeper

-little difference; inns then of little repute-- dirty, expensive, connected to brothels

-if not the former, still known by that (Heb 13:31, Jas 2:25; see: Simon the Leper-- Mt 26:6)

-in any case, given the outcome, the story profoundly illustrates grace

-greatness of previous sin as no barrier to salvation-- or later, being great in God's kingdom (see also: Christ's ministry-- Lk 19:10, Mt 21:31-32)

-and as an illustration of presumed change of behavior that follows

-Rahab also dealt in 6's flax (Pr 31:13's flax!)

-in any case, God's providence directing the spies there

-practical: would be welcomed and wouldn’t stand out as much

2:4-7 for Rahab's Response to Trial

-lying: not just omission or slight deceit, but sends them on a wild goose chase

-acting as a traitor-- disloyal, betrayed her country

--> Rahab's lies and treason are applauded (vs. condemned) as faith and works (Jas 2:25-26)—and she ends up in the lineage of Christ

-dealing with betrayal of country-- easy: submission to the State, but God > country (see: Mt 22:21's render unto man/God; Daniel praying illegally, etc.)

-vs. the difficulty of dealing with the lying; (weak) attempts to finesse the difficulty

-God judges her on what little she knows about God at this point (I Sam 16:2)—but why praise her specifically for her works?!

-good decision given the pressure

-differentiating lies as little or big; in any case, this one is a whopper!

-the Law?! in Josh 2…

-18’s scarlet cord

-24 for spies' confidence

-in contrast to first time (Num 13-14, esp. 13:31)

-their safe return as further encouragement-- and a tougher mission than the 1st 12 spies; God had provided the way!

--> figured it out when they talked to the natives, not just observed them (1's "the land, esp. Jericho")

à Ch. 1-5’s Preparation including 5:2-9's Circumcision and 5:10-12's Passover

Joshua 6: The Battle of Jericho; Supernatural Victory

-1's Jericho shut up-- beleaguered; no entrance/exit, hunkered down

-not enough faith to attack Israel (offense)

-but enough faith in its defenses to avoid surrender or terms of peace or flee

-2-5’s strategy??

-a bizarre plan follows Israel's bizarre preparation for battle

-imagine the look on Joshua's face and/or the military commanders and people/troops as the plan is explained to them

-not only impractical, but would make them look foolish

-required faith, humility, obedience, recognition that this could be accomplished only through God's power; what God wants to teach them

-Sabbath?!

-10's silent except trumpets (Hab 2:20)

-builds anticipation

-focus, meditation for Israel; symbolizes reverence and peace (Ps 42:10)

-improve on silence? "should be silent when God is speaking"

-more eerie to Jericho; 8’s trumpets seem relatively loud—victory already declared

-amazing self-control/discipline; imagine trying to remain quiet that long

-as a model for just doing their thing --> live a quiet life, winning respect of outsiders

-might have responded inappropriately to jeers, complaining, expressing fears

-to quell usual desire to "battle cry"/"pump yourself up"; natural vs. supernatural

à as a test of faith of Joshua and the people

-a seemingly useless exercise vs. God's will and timing, His means to His ends

-orders may have been given daily; 4’s command didn't mention 7 days in 6:7,10,14

-patiently obedient (Heb 10:36, Gal 6:9)

-after going around seven times, still no indication that the walls would come tumblin’ down (see: Naaman’s 7-fold washing; see also: Berlin Wall)

à ch. 7’s defeat at Ai, due to Achan’s sin and God’s judgment…

Joshua 8: Pilgrim's Progress

8:1-2's Moving On: God's Encouragement

à entering Chapter 8, how would Joshua and the people felt? how discouraged? probably a little jumpy, humbled

-here, encourages them; restores promise; gloom/despair replaced with hope

-and they get to keep the loot this time!

-see: Achan's impatience with God's timing-- and could have been enjoyed more fully

--> moving on: God returns as quickly as He left

1.) when we have put away known sin, God responds and provides direction; strength of wrath but quick to return

2.) follows Genuine Repentance (by Israel)-- the pathway to renewed spiritual vitality

3.) "victorious Christian living" does not = "all victory"

-Lewis' "pleased with our stumbles"; Pr 24:16's "righteous fall 7x…get up"; I Tim 4:15's "let your progress be known"

à here, normal/shrewd military strategy (vs. Jericho): ambush, deceit (!), surprise, surround using superior numbers (30K and the rest of the army vs. 25's 12K)

-God works in many different ways; God uses very diverse means to accomplish his work...but both result in routs of the enemy

-Joshua gets general plan and fills in details, provides leadership (8:5)

-people vs. Joshua; Joshua vs. God (stretching both-- for ownership, developing creativity, faith, etc.

-God often allows us freedom within His will to plan strategy

Joshua 10: Five Kings in One

10:1-5's Plan of Attack (omit)

-coalition in response to outcomes at Jericho, Ai and Gibeon (9:1-2)

-9-11's Ambush and Hailstorm: would have won naturally (God willing), but God intervenes for quicker and more complete victory

-MH's "Israel did what they could, but God did all"; combination of methods: Ai and Jericho; God's provision (evident here) and our participation

10:12-13's "I Need More Time"

-what else could he have requested?? more hail (not much creativity), etc.; quick/easy victory as lazy vs. passion to serve, etc.

-Joshua's request shows vigor and passion for doing God's will/work

Joshua 23-24: A Call to Renewal/Revival/Relationship

-Joshua's final sermons/addresses: Ch. 23 to leaders, Ch. 24 to people

-24:15's Responsibilities/Choice for them, for Joshua

-what other decision could there be (24:2-13)??

-for us, in light of God's provisions for you, give yourself unreservedly for the worship and service for the Lord (Rom 12:1)

-you've seen the Lord (act) move in lives, you've got all the information, Bible studies, doctrines you need; you need to make a choice

-Joshua's public commitment, witness/testimony

-but allows freedom; voluntary vs. coerced "worship"

-they’ll make a choice; all of us are worshipers; we all make a choice

-Kreeft: “The opposite of theism is not atheism but idolatry.”

-encourages them to make it explicit: gods or God—make your choice! (I Kings 18:21, Rev 3:16; fork in the road)

Joshua 11-12's "Road to (Spiritual) Victory"

-as Israel, we are called to conquer “the land”-- our souls; enemies/sins are trying to hold onto the land

-our 3 Battle Fronts:

 1.) “the World” (I Jn 2:15-17)-- vs. God

 2.) “the Flesh”/Sin Nature (Gal 5:16-17)-- vs. Spirit

 3.) Satan (I Pet 5:8)-- vs. Christ

 --> we fight all three; they have varying strengths over time, by individual and culture

for us and Israel, Victory is achieved through God's provision and our participation

-both are necessary, neither is sufficient

-not balance, but symmetry; not 50/50, but 100/100 (as ideal-- of course, God can use us even without 100%'s)

I. God's Provision for us (Josh 11:6,8a,20; Ps 44:1-3)

 A. The Blood of Christ (Rom 5:9, Eph 1:7, 2:13, Heb 9:7,11-12)

-takes care of sins (past, present and future)-- justification

-the need for blood (Heb 9:22) --> Gen 3's first recorded death, Passover, Rahab's scarlet cord, OT system of sacrifice as a type

 B. The Cross of Christ (Col 2:13-15, Rom 6:3-4,6-7,11)

-sanctification, not justification; “death to self” (Gal 5:24) and “dead to the world” (Gal 6:14)-- what we are in Adam has to die before who we are in Christ can come alive; putting sin nature to death-- vs. selfishness, people-pleasing, power of temptation, etc.

-cross' “what we are” vs. blood's “what we do”; Nee's “sin factory”

 C. The Spirit of God (Rom 8:8-11, II Cor 3:17-18, Gal 5:16-17; Jn 14:16-17,26, 16:7)

-empowers us to live the Christian life (the positives)

-see: tennis and glove analogies

(Cross and Spirit) together:

-breaks the power of sin / allows us to fulfill the requirements of the Law (Rom 8:3-4)

-united in his death/resurrection (Rom 8:10-11, II Cor 4:10)

-crucified with Christ / Christ lives in me (Gal 2:20)

II. Our Participation-- in Obedience and Dependence (Josh 11:7,8b-19,21-23)

A. The Balance (I Cor 15:10, Phil 2:12b-13, 4:13, Col 1:29, I Thess 5:24, II Tim 2:1, I Pet 4:10-11)

-God’s provision as necessary (Jn 5:19,30, 15:4-5)

-our participation as necessary (see: Schaefer”s “Active Passivity”-- not action without spirit and not laying in a hammock; balancing action with control; see: effective physical therapy requiring the outsider and the person recovering!)

B. The Task (Eph 4:22-24's slay the old man and put on the new man; Eph 4:25-32, Rom 6:13)

-putting away sin and putting on righteousness; not doing wrong vs. doing right; pulling weeds and planting flowers

-moralism vs. righteousness/Godliness; M w/o G “ Pharisees; G w/ M “ Christ

On "victory"...

 A. There is much to be won-- and it takes time (11:18's 7 yrs; I Cor 3:18, I Tim 4:15, II Pet 3:18)

B. Battles are usually confronted one at a time (Dt 7:22, Is 6:5 vs. Zech 3)

C. We are to conquer in a Supernatural Manner (Ps 44:4-8, II Cor 4:6-7)

 D. But the combinations of God's Provision & Man's Participation come in varying degrees

-see: victories at Jericho and Ai; victories over Southern and Northern kings

 E. God keeps a detailed records of victories (Josh 12; I Cor 3:12-15)

THE BELIEVER'S (N.T.) INHERITANCE: What does God promise us?

1.) WHAT IT IS NOT

à why this is important...

-take care not to blame God for things that he has not promised

-all other things equal, God wants these things for us and living life by God’s rules often ends up this way

-BUT...all other things are not equal: God’s other agendas

2.) WHAT IT IS: The Believer's Inheritance

                                                                      heaven...

A. Eternally Splendid Home (Gen 2; Jn 14:2-3, Heb 11:9-10,13-16; Rev 21:1-4,10-11,18-23)

B. Eternally Splendid Body (Phil 3:20-21, I Cor 15:39-40,51-54; Dan 12:3)

C. Eternally Splendid Rewards (II Cor 5:10; Ecc 12:14; I Cor 3:11-15, 4:5)

--> Mt 25:21’s special name, possessions, position, happiness for faithful servants

1.) Special Name (Rev 2:17, 3:12)

2.) Special Possessions (Mt 6:19-21, Heb 10:34-36, I Cor 9:24-25; II Tim 4:8, Jas 1:12, Rev 2:10, I Thess 2:19-20, Phil 4:1, I Pet 5:2-4)

3.) Special Position (Adam’s job in Gen 2; Mt 5:19, Lk 19:17, 22:28-30, I Cor 6:1-3, Rev 2:26-27, 3:21; II Tim 2:12a)

4.) Special Happiness/Intimacy (Jas 1:12's blessed; Rev 2:17, 3:12)

--> Basis of Reward for the "Good and Faithful Servant" (Mt 25:21)

1.) Depth of Character: "Good" (I Cor 3:13's quality of each man's work, II Cor 5:10's judged for the things done in the body, II Pet 1:5-11)

-in Mt, bad servant is described as wicked and lazy/slothful

2.) Degree of Consistency: "Faithful" (Lk 22:28-30, II Tim 4:7 --> 4:8; Heb 10:32-36, 11:25-27, 12:1-3; Rev 2-3's overcomers)

-despite trials; the need for perseverance

                                                    back to the "here and now"...

A.)       Clothed by Christ's Righteousness (Josh 2; Is 61:10 for Christ; Rev 7:14)-- getting us to heaven

B.)       Indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:16-17, 16:7; II Cor 3:3, Gal 4:6-7)-- empowering us to live the Christian life

WHICH RESULTS IN...

1.) A New Security (Jn 5:24, Rom 5:1, Eph 2:8-9, I Jn 5:11-13)

2.) A New Perspective/Priorities (I Pet 1:3-9, Heb 11:24-26, 12:1-3)

3.) A New Identity (Gal 2:20, II Cor 5:17,21, Col 3:1-3; Eph 1-3)

4.) A New Prosperity (Eph 1:3, 3:8)—blessed with all spiritual blessings

--> close with Phil 1:20-21 for both NOW "to live is Christ" and LATER "to die is gain"...