March 12 Readings

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The Back to the Bible Historical to End Reading Plan


Today's reading from Joshua 5-8
Joshua 5
The Cananites became aware of the Israelites, they knew how God dried up the Jordan. At Gilgal, (v. 2-9) all of the Israelites men had circumcision before entering Canaan. This was to signify consecration and commitment before entering Canaan. Manna stopped falling from heaven the day after they ate food from the land. Joshua saw a man in front of him with a drawn sword. He asked him wheither he was on the side of the Israelites ot the enemy. The man said neither. He was the commander of the army of the Lord. He told told Joshua to take off his sandals he was on holy ground. We must be aware that in the Christian walk and service, we need commitment and consecration and the Lord will be ahead of us in our endeavors.

The Taking of Jericho and Ai
Today's reading from Joshua 6-8
Joshua 6
Today, we have two situations one had to do with Jericho. God gave specific instructions (v. 1-5) to Joshua to march around the city for six days with the Israelite army. The army were led by the seven priests carrying trumpets of ram's horn in front of the ark. On the seventh day, they were to do everything they had done for six days. They were give a long blast on the trumpet a shout and the walls would collapse. The plan was carried out (v.6-11), they marched around Jericho (12-14). The walls fall, rahab and her family was rescued (v. 20-25). What can we learn from this? If we want victory in our Christian life, we have to do it God's way, not our way. There was no way the Israelites could have captured the city unless God gave it to them. Link to Jericho The Fall of Jericho

Joshua 7
Having experienced the victory at Jericho, Joshua sent spies in Ai. Notice Joshua nor the Israelites asked God for counsel! The spies came back and said that they should send a few thousand men. when the men attacked Ai, they were soundly defeated. (v. 2-5) Joshua prayed to the Lord and asked why it happened (v 6-9). The Lord told Joshua of the sin in the camp. Someone had violated the covenant, the devoted things of God was violated, it was stolen. The people were told to consecrate themselves.They would not win the battle until the issue with the devoted things were corrected. God revealed who the person was after identifying the tribe, clan and family. (v. 10-15). Achan came forward and confess his guilt (v. 16-21). He was identified by tribe, clan and family. He was stoned for his sin v. 22-26). What can we learn from this? To do God's work we have to be faithful in big things and SMALL things. All Achan did was stole silver a robe and a gold wedge, this was a miniscule amount from the things they have captured in Jericho! A small sin can affect your Christian life and ministry. The sin needs to be confessed (1John 1.9), restitution and reconcilation needs to be done as well.

Joshua 8
God promised Joshua Ai. Now God was INVOLVED. Joshua plans the ambush (3-9), the God's plan was set (10-17), implemented (v. 18-23) and the inhabitants destroyed (24-29), an altar was built at Mount Ebal to the Lord (v. 30-33). Joshua then read all the words of the law- the blessings and the curse. (v. 34-35)


Joshua 5, with Commentaries, verse by verse
Joshua 6, with Commentaries, verse by verse
Joshua 7, with Commentaries, verse by verse
Joshua 8, with Commentaries, verse by verse


Other Links
OT Gateway Links on Joshua
Introduction to Joshua by Malik
Malik Argument of Joshua
Dr. Thomas Constable Study Notes is a PDF file, open with Adobe Acrobatic Reader
Calvin on Joshua 1-18
Calvin on Joshua 19-24
Doug Goins on Joshua, scroll down
Spurgeon's Sermons on Joshua
Biblebb.com Website
Studies in the Life of Joshua by J. Hampton Keathley III

Jesus Saves
This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.