Bible Study Helps, Joshua 3-4:7

 Last week I taught, and as usual didn’t finish. So I want to start with the last point from last week, because it’s really the main idea of this lesson. God’s presence.

Multiple times The LORD God assured Joshua, “I will be with you.” The presence of God with the Israelites was symbolized in the pillar of smoke (day) and the pillar of fire (night). These are not random symbols. Fire symbolizes purification, light, and warmth. Smoke is important to sacrifice.

In the New Testament the presence of God is a constant reassurance.

Jesus’ name Emmanuel: God with us (as the human race).

Jesus promise to the church as a whole, “And lo, I will be with you until the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

For individuals, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit:

I Corinthians 3:16: “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”

2 Timothy 1:14:
“Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”

Romans 8:11     

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

Galatians 4:6     

“Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

1 John 2:27       

“As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.”

John 16:13        

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”

Ezekiel 36:27     

“I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”

 Do we always feel the indwelling of the Holy Spirit? Do we know that power? Do we hear God speaking into our hearts? Are we listening?

The emotional well-being material from a work meeting this week:

We took a poll of five things and the speakers addressed the ones most discussed.

1.     Focus on what you can control.

2.     Mindfulness. (not the same as Biblical meditation)

3.     Laughter and outlook

4.     Cope with change and loss (which are constants)

5.     Strengthen social connection. Do we see people as helps or hindrances?

Lesson is about the Israelites getting ready to enter the land promised to them 600 years before through Abraham. They don’t automatically just walk in and take over. There are battles. We skipped chapter 2, the fascinating story of Rahab. We have questions about her. Why did the spies go to a prostitute? Why is she commended for lying in Hebrews 11? She doesn’t fit into her neat categories, and she is in Jesus ancestral line! I am glad God doesn’t have neat categories! Her faith and fear were bigger than her falsehood (culturally she didn’t do anything wrong).

Read 3-4:17.

Thoughts? 

Joshua’s leadership was confirmed. The Israelites couldn’t afford false leaders. 

What’s up with the Ark of Covenant?

The water was real—The Jordan is not a huge river (not Mississippi or Tennessee) but more like Chickamauga creek in Ringgold. But if it’s overflowing its banks, that’s going to keep hundreds of thousands of people from crossing.

The priests had to step in. They had to “step in faith” for the next thing to happen. This phrase is overused people to encourage careless action, but we step in faith everyday. In fact, our actions that sometimes  become routine are supposed to be rooted in faith. Two examples: Giving. We trust God will supply our needs without the money, we trust God will use it for His church. Coming to church; we trust God will do something in the service, not just for us but for the church as a whole. We might do it out of habit, but that is not being mindful and intentional. Consequently, we don’t prepare our hearts for it.

Final point:  Memorial stones. I love this. Do you have souvenirs of God’s victories in your life?