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Session 1: The God Who Goes Before Us — Joshua 1–2

Welcome to The Bible Study Class podcast, where we explore Scripture together and discover how God's faithfulness transforms our lives. I'm so glad you're here with us today. Over the next thirteen sessions, we're going to journey through the book of Joshua, watching how God fulfills His promises in powerful and sometimes surprising ways. Today, we begin with the opening chapters of Joshua, and I want you to know that what we're about to discover will challenge you to think differently about courage, faith, and God's unexpected ways of working.

Let me set the stage for you. Forty years earlier, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. God parted the Red Sea, provided food and water in the wilderness, and gave them His law at Mount Sinai. But when the people reached the edge of the Promised Land, they became afraid. They listened to doubt instead of faith, and God made them wander in the desert for forty years until that faithless generation passed away. Now Joshua stands as the new leader, and a brand new generation is ready to enter the land God promised to Abraham all those centuries ago.

The book of Joshua opens with God speaking directly to Joshua. Listen to what He says in Joshua 1, verses 8 and 9. God tells Joshua to keep the Book of the Law always on his lips and to meditate on it day and night so that he will be careful to do everything written in it. Then comes the command we need to hear today: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Now, think about this for a moment. Joshua is being asked to lead a massive group of people into enemy territory. The cities are fortified. The armies are established. The people living there know the land far better than the Israelites do. From a human perspective, this mission looks impossible. And yet God doesn't say, "Don't worry because you're strong enough" or "Everything will be easy." Instead, God says, "Be strong and courageous because I will be with you." The promise of God's presence is the foundation of real courage.

Real courage isn't the absence of fear. Real courage is moving forward even when you're afraid because you trust someone bigger than your fear. That's what God is calling Joshua to experience, and that's exactly what He calls us to today.

After God commissions Joshua, we see him lead the people in their first act of faith. He sends two spies into the land to scout it out, particularly the city of Jericho. This is where the story becomes really interesting because we meet someone we never would have expected to play such an important role in God's plan.

When the spies arrive in Jericho, they end up at the home of a woman named Rahab. Now, I want to be direct with you here. The Bible tells us that Rahab was a prostitute. She lived in a house on the city wall. But here's what's remarkable: when the spies came to her, something happened in Rahab's heart. Listen to what she tells them in Joshua 2, verses 10 and 11. She says she's heard about all the things the Lord has done for Israel. She's heard how God dried up the Red Sea and how He destroyed the kings on the other side of the Jordan. Then she says this: "When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below."

Let that sink in. A woman from the very city the Israelites are about to attack is declaring faith in the God of Israel. She's not just saying she's heard about God. She's saying she believes He is God. She's making a decision to trust Him, even though it means betraying her own city. Even though it's dangerous. Even though everyone around her would think she's crazy.

Rahab hides the spies and helps them escape. In return, they promise her that when the Israelites take Jericho, they will protect her and her family. She ties a scarlet cord in her window so the Israelites will know which house to spare. That cord becomes a symbol of protection and salvation.

Now, here's what I want you to notice about this part of the story. God doesn't work through a military genius or a powerful leader here. He works through an unlikely woman whose faith makes all the difference. She acts on her belief in God, and because of her courage, her entire family is saved when Jericho falls.

This tells us something crucial about how God works. He doesn't just use the powerful and the famous. He uses people who take Him at His word. He uses people who are willing to risk everything because they believe He is who He says He is. He uses the unexpected, and He works through faith.

As we think about these opening chapters of Joshua, let me remind you of something important. Everything we're learning comes from Scripture itself. It's vital that you read these passages directly from your Bible. Don't just take my word for what they say. Open your Bible, read Joshua 1 and 2 for yourself, and let God's Word speak to your heart. And here's another thing: feel free to question what you hear, even from me. The Bereans in Acts 17 were commended because they examined the Scriptures every day to see if what they were being taught was true. That's what we want for you. We want you to be people who know God's Word well enough to test everything against it.

As we wrap up this first session, I want to leave you with this thought. God is calling you, just as He called Joshua, to be strong and courageous. You may not be leading a nation into a new land, but you are facing challenges that require faith. You may feel like your circumstances are impossible, like the walls around you are too high. But God is asking you to remember that He goes with you. He has gone before you. He is faithful to His promises. And just as He used an unlikely woman named Rahab to accomplish His purposes, He can use you in ways you never expected. Trust Him. Move forward in faith. That's the invitation of Joshua 1 and 2, and that's the invitation for your life today.

Thank you for joining us in this first session of our Joshua study. May God strengthen your heart as you continue to discover His faithfulness in Scripture and in your own journey of faith.

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Session 2: When God Makes a Way — Joshua 3–4

Welcome back to The Bible Study Class podcast. Last time, we saw how God called Joshua to be strong and courageous, and we met Rahab, whose unexpected faith saved her family. Today, we're moving into one of the most dramatic moments in all of Scripture. We're going to watch God do something that seems impossible. We're going to see the Jordan River stop flowing so that an entire nation can cross over into the Promised Land. This is Joshua 3 and 4, and the title of our session is "Crossing Over."

Before we dive into what happens at the river, I want to set up the situation. The Israelites are camped on the east side of the Jordan. The city of Jericho is on the other side. The Jordan River is not a small stream. At certain times of year, especially spring when the snow is melting from the mountains, the Jordan becomes a rushing, dangerous flood. This isn't a place where you simply wade across. It's a major barrier between the people and everything God has promised them.

Joshua gathers the people and tells them what's about to happen. He says something really important in Joshua 3, verse 5. He tells them to consecrate themselves because tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among them. The word "consecrate" means to set themselves apart, to prepare their hearts. They're not supposed to passively wait for something to happen. They're supposed to actively prepare themselves spiritually for what God is about to do.

Then Joshua explains how this is going to work. The priests will carry the Ark of the Covenant, which is the most sacred object in Israel, the symbol of God's presence with His people. When the priests carry the Ark and step into the Jordan, something extraordinary will happen. Joshua tells them in verse 13 that as soon as the priests carrying the Ark step into the water, the river will stop flowing. The water will pile up and stand firm, and the people will be able to cross on dry ground.

Now, here's what I find remarkable about this. The priests don't wait until the river stops to go into the water. They step into the river first, and then God stops it. This requires faith on the part of the priests. They have to trust that what Joshua told them will happen. They have to step forward without seeing the miracle first. And that's exactly what happens. Joshua 3, verse 15 tells us that as soon as the priests who carried the Ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away at a town called Adam. The water flowing down to the Dead Sea was completely cut off, and the people crossed over on dry ground.

Think about that moment. Forty years ago, God parted the Red Sea so these people could escape slavery. Now, as a new generation enters the land He promised, He does it again. He parts water for them. It's not just a miracle. It's a sign. It's God reminding His people that He hasn't forgotten them. He's with them. He's keeping His promises.

The crossing itself takes time. Joshua 3, verse 17 tells us that the priests stood firm on the dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing. Picture that scene. The priests are standing in the middle of the riverbed, holding the Ark of the Covenant, while hundreds of thousands of people walk across. Women, children, livestock, all their possessions. And the walls of water are standing on either side of them.

But the story doesn't end with the crossing. In fact, what happens next might be even more important than the miracle itself. Once everyone has crossed over, Joshua gives a specific command. He tells one man from each of the twelve tribes to go back into the middle of the riverbed where the priests are standing. Each man is to pick up a stone. Joshua 4, verses 6 and 7 explain why. Joshua says, "In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."

Twelve stones. One from each tribe. Taken from the middle of the riverbed and carried to the other side. They're going to be stacked as a monument so that no one can forget what God did that day. Every time someone walks past those stones, they'll be reminded. Every time a child asks about them, the story will be told again. The miracle will be remembered and passed down from generation to generation.

This is such an important principle for understanding our faith. God doesn't just do miracles and then leave us without a way to remember them. He gives us markers. He gives us reminders. The twelve stones at Gilgal are a physical testimony to God's faithfulness. In our own lives, we have reminders too. We have Scripture to read and remember. We have traditions and practices that keep God's work alive in our hearts and minds. We have each other to remind us when we forget.

And then something else happens that's deeply meaningful. Joshua 4, verses 19 and 20 tell us that on the tenth day of the first month, the people camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho. And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, "In the future when your descendants ask their parents, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.'" The purpose is crystal clear. These stones are to keep the memory alive forever.

Here's what I want you to see in this passage. God doesn't just move people from one side of a river to the other. He moves them physically, yes, but He also moves their hearts spiritually. He gives them an experience they'll never forget. He gives them something tangible they can point to and remember. And He calls them to remember not just for themselves, but for their children and grandchildren.

That's the deepest purpose of remembering God's faithfulness. It's not just for us. It's for those who come after us. When you tell someone about what God has done in your life, you're doing what those stones did. You're creating a memorial. You're passing on faith to the next generation. You're saying, "This is real. I've seen it. God is faithful."

As we close this session, I want to challenge you to think about your own crossing. What has God called you to step forward into, even when you couldn't see the outcome? What river has God asked you to cross? And more importantly, have you stopped to remember what He did? Have you created your own memorial, whether it's in a journal, in conversation with someone you love, or simply in your heart? The stones at Gilgal remind us that remembering isn't optional. It's how we strengthen our faith and pass it on to others.

May God give you the courage to step forward into whatever He's calling you to, and may you never forget the faithfulness He shows you along the way.

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Session 3: God at the Center — Joshua 5–6

Welcome to Session 3 of our Joshua study. Last time, we watched God part the Jordan River and lead the people across on dry ground. We saw how God gave them twelve stones to remember what He did so future generations would know His faithfulness. Today, we're entering one of the most famous stories in the Bible. We're about to see how Jericho, one of the most powerful cities in Canaan, falls not through military might but through worship, obedience, and trust in God. This is Joshua 5 and 6, and our title is "The Commander of the Lord's Army."

Before the battle for Jericho, something significant happens. Joshua 5 tells us that the people celebrate Passover, remembering God's deliverance from Egypt. They also eat food from the land, and the manna they've been eating for forty years stops coming. They're no longer living on God's supernatural provision in the wilderness. They're entering a new season where they'll live off the land God is giving them. It's a transition. It's a sign that they've truly arrived.

Then, right before the battle of Jericho, something extraordinary happens. Joshua 5, verses 13 to 15 describe an encounter that should make us pause and think carefully. Joshua looks up and sees a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua approaches him and asks, "Are you for us or for our enemies?" The man responds, "Neither. I have come as commander of the Lord's army." When Joshua hears this, he falls facedown to the ground in reverence and asks, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?" The commander tells Joshua to take off his sandals because the place where he's standing is holy ground.

Now, who is this commander? Many scholars believe this is a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, sometimes called a theophany. Whether it's Jesus or a powerful angel sent by God, the message is absolutely clear. God Himself is leading this battle. The victory won't depend on Joshua's military strategy or the strength of Israel's army. It will depend on God's power and the people's obedience to Him.

This is the crucial insight for understanding the battle of Jericho. It's not a military battle in the conventional sense. It's an act of worship. Listen to what God tells Joshua in Joshua 6, verses 3 to 5. God says that Joshua and his fighting men are to march around the city once a day for six days. The priests are to carry the Ark of the Covenant. On the seventh day, they're to march around the city seven times, and the priests are to blow trumpets. Then God says something that should strike you as odd from a military perspective. He says that when they hear a long blast on the trumpet, all the people are to give a loud shout, and the wall of the city will collapse. The people are to go up to the city, every man straight in.

That's not a military plan. That's an act of faith. The people are being asked to do something that, from every rational perspective, makes no sense. They're being asked to march around a fortified city and shout, trusting that God will make the walls fall. They have to believe that God's word is more reliable than what they see with their own eyes.

Joshua tells the people about God's instructions, and then something amazing happens. The people obey. They don't question. They don't suggest a better plan. Joshua 6, verses 12 to 14 describe what happens. Joshua gets up early in the morning. The priests carry the Ark. Seven priests blow seven trumpets in front of the Ark. The fighting men go ahead of them, and the rear guard follows the Ark. All this time, the trumpets are sounding. Joshua gives the people a command. He tells them not to give a war cry, not to raise their voices, not to let a word come out of their mouths until the day he tells them to shout. Then they're to shout.

Picture this for a moment. An entire nation marching around a city in silence except for the sound of trumpets. Day after day. No weapons clashing. No battle cries. Just the sound of footsteps and trumpets and the presence of God's Ark moving among them.

For six days, nothing happens. The walls don't fall. Jericho's defenders watch from inside their fortified city, probably confused by what they're seeing. But on the seventh day, the Israelites get up early and march around the city seven times instead of just once. And then it happens. Joshua gives the command. Joshua 6, verse 20 tells us that when the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed. Every man charged straight in, and they took the city.

The wall falls because of obedience and trust. The victory belongs completely to God. The people didn't have to figure out how to break through fortifications or scale walls or use siege weapons. They had to trust that God meant what He said. They had to obey His instructions, even when those instructions seemed strange. They had to believe that His word was true.

But notice what happens after the battle. Jericho is completely destroyed, but there's one exception. Joshua 6, verse 22 and 23 tell us that Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the spies Joshua had sent. Her family stayed alive and lived among the Israelites. Remember her from our first session? Her faith has saved her. She trusted in the God of Israel, and now she's part of God's people.

There's something beautiful about this. The same woman who lived in a place marked for destruction becomes part of God's people. She's not cast aside. She's included. She's given a place in the community. Her name even appears in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1. Rahab, a foreigner, a woman with a shameful past, becomes an ancestor of Jesus Christ. That's how completely God accepts those who come to Him in faith.

So what does this session teach us? First, that victory in God's kingdom comes through obedience and faith, not through human strength or cleverness. Second, that God works in ways that often don't make sense to us, but His word is always trustworthy. Third, that God honors faith, no matter where it comes from or what a person's past looks like. And fourth, that God Himself is the leader of His people. He's not distant. He's actively involved in what He's doing.

As we think about our own lives, the question isn't whether the walls around us will fall. The question is whether we'll trust God's instructions and obey, even when it doesn't make sense. Will we keep our eyes on His faithfulness rather than on our circumstances? Will we remember that He's the commander of our lives, just as He was the commander of Israel's army?

May you have the faith of Rahab and the obedience of Joshua as you follow God today, trusting that He knows the way even when you cannot yet see the outcome.

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Session 4: God’s Holiness and Our Renewal — Joshua 7–8

Welcome to Session 4 of The Bible Study Class podcast. Over the past three sessions, we've watched God do incredible things. He stopped the Jordan River. He made the walls of Jericho fall. Everything has gone according to God's plan. But today, we're going to see what happens when God's people stop listening to Him and when sin disrupts God's blessing. This is Joshua 7 and 8, and our title is "Failure and Renewal."

The victory at Jericho was complete. God had shown His power in an undeniable way. But now Joshua and the people need to take the rest of the land. The next city is much smaller than Jericho. It's called Ai. Joshua sends spies to scout it out, and they come back with a confident report. They tell Joshua that Ai is small and won't require all the people to go up and fight. They suggest sending just two or three thousand men. Joshua listens to their report and agrees to the plan.

Here's where things go wrong. God had worked miracles for this campaign. God had promised success. But this time, Joshua relies on the spies' judgment instead of consulting God. This is a subtle but crucial mistake. Joshua 7, verse 1 tells us what happens. Israel was guilty of taking the devoted things. Someone had taken something that was supposed to be dedicated to God, and this sin brought trouble on the entire nation.

Specifically, a man named Achan had taken some things from Jericho that God had commanded to be destroyed or given to the treasury of God's house. He had taken a beautiful robe, some silver, and a bar of gold. He had hidden them in his tent. Nobody knew about it. But God knew.

When the men of Israel attacked Ai, they were soundly defeated. Joshua 7, verse 5 tells us that about thirty-six of the men of Israel were killed. They ran in panic before the men of Ai. Joshua and the elders tear their clothes and fall on their faces in distress. Joshua cries out to God, asking why He has allowed this to happen.

Listen to what God tells Joshua in Joshua 7, verses 10 to 12. God says, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? Israel has sinned. They have violated my covenant which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things. They have stolen. They have lied. They have put them with their own possessions. That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They turn their backs because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction."

This is a sobering message. Sin isn't a private matter that affects only the person who commits it. Sin in God's community brings consequences on everyone. God's holiness demands that sin be dealt with. God's blessing cannot rest on a people who harbor sin in their midst.

Joshua responds by finding out who committed the sin. He conducts an investigation, tribe by tribe, family by family, until Achan is identified. Joshua asks Achan to confess, and Achan does. He admits exactly what he did. He took the things, he was troubled by guilt, and he hid them in his tent.

What happens next is difficult to read. Achan and everything he has, including his family, are taken outside the camp and destroyed. Joshua 7, verse 26 tells us that they burned Achan and everything he had with fire and covered him with a pile of rocks. This seems harsh to our modern ears, but we need to understand it in context. Achan's sin had brought death to innocent soldiers. His disobedience had broken covenant with God. His dishonesty had affected the entire nation. God's holiness required that this sin be fully dealt with.

But here's what's important. After the sin is removed, God says He will be with them again. The situation is restored. The breaking of covenant is healed through confession and judgment. Now Joshua can move forward.

In Joshua 8, God tells Joshua to go back to Ai. This time, God will give the city into Joshua's hands. God even provides Joshua with a battle strategy. Joshua is to set an ambush behind the city. This is very different from marching around Jericho. This time, it looks like conventional warfare, but it's still God's plan and it's still God who gives the victory.

Joshua carries out the plan exactly as God instructs. The men of Ai come out to fight, and they are defeated by the ambush. Joshua 8, verse 29 tells us that Joshua hung the king of Ai on a pole and left his body there until evening. They threw stones on it and built a large pile of rocks over it that stands to this day.

After the victory at Ai, something significant happens. Joshua builds an altar on Mount Ebal and offers sacrifices to God. He also copies the law of Moses on stone. Joshua calls all the people together and reads to them all the words of the law, including the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. It's a renewal. The people are reminded of what God requires of them. They're reminded of the consequences of sin and the rewards of obedience.

Here's what this passage teaches us about God and about ourselves. First, God's holiness is real. Sin has consequences. We can't ignore it or minimize it. Second, sin in a community affects everyone, not just the individual who commits it. Our choices impact those around us. Third, confession and repentance matter. When sin is brought into the open and dealt with, God's blessing can be restored. And fourth, even after failure, God doesn't abandon His people. He calls them back, forgives them, and gives them another opportunity.

This is a pattern we see throughout Scripture and throughout our lives. We fail. We sin. Sometimes our failure affects others. But God doesn't leave us there. He calls us to confession. He calls us to repentance. And He restores us. The defeat at Ai could have been the end of the story. But it wasn't. It was a moment that led to renewal and a fresh commitment to God's covenant.

Think about your own life for a moment. Have you experienced a failure that broke your confidence in God? Have you known the conviction of sin? The good news of Joshua's story is that failure isn't the end. Confession isn't the end. Restoration is possible. God wants you back in right relationship with Him more than He wants to punish you. That's the heart of a holy God who loves His people.

May you be honest about your sin, quick to repent, and confident in God's restoration. And may you remember that just as God renewed His covenant with Israel after their failure, He renews His covenant with you every single day.

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Session 5: The God Who Fights for His People — Joshua 9–10

Welcome to Session 5 of The Bible Study Class podcast. We've seen God do amazing things through Joshua. We've also seen what happens when God's people sin and how God brings renewal and restoration. Today, we're going to see something different. We're going to watch God fight for His people even when human decisions create complicated situations. This is Joshua 9 and 10, and our title is "Trickery, Covenant, and the Day the Sun Stood Still."

Let's set the scene. Joshua and the Israelites have won victories at Jericho and Ai. News is spreading throughout Canaan about what God is doing. The kings of the land are becoming afraid. They're hearing that God is fighting for Israel, and they know they're in trouble. Most of the kings decide to band together and fight against Joshua. But one group of people, the Gibeonites, comes up with a different strategy. They decide to trick their way into a peace agreement with Israel.

Listen to what the Gibeonites do in Joshua 9. They send messengers to Joshua, but they disguise themselves. Joshua 9, verses 4 to 6 describe their deception. They wear worn-out clothes and carry old, patched wineskins. Their bread is dry and crumbly. When they meet Joshua, they tell him they've come from a distant country because they've heard about God's mighty acts and want to make a peace treaty with Israel.

The men of Israel examine the evidence. They look at the worn clothes, the old wineskins, the dry bread. Everything seems to support the Gibeonites' story. But Joshua and the leaders make a critical mistake. Joshua 9, verse 14 tells us that the men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord. They didn't pray. They didn't ask God for wisdom or guidance. They just looked at the physical evidence and made a decision.

So Joshua makes a treaty of peace with the Gibeonites and swears an oath to let them live. Three days later, the Israelites discover the truth. The Gibeonites are from nearby. They're not from a distant country at all. They've deceived Joshua and his leaders. Now Joshua is in a difficult position. He's made a covenant, an oath before God. Joshua 9, verse 19 tells us that the leaders said to all the assembly, "We have sworn an oath to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now."

Even though the Gibeonites tricked them, the Israelites keep their word. They honor their covenant. The Gibeonites are allowed to live, though Joshua makes them servants. The important principle here is that covenants matter. A word spoken before God matters. Even when we've been deceived, even when we regret the decision, God holds us to our commitments. This teaches us to be very careful about making promises and to make sure we're seeking God's wisdom before we commit ourselves.

But now something remarkable happens. Because the Gibeonites have made a treaty with Israel, Israel becomes their protector. And when other kings in Canaan hear that Gibeon has made peace with Israel, they're furious. Five kings band together to attack Gibeon and punish them for their treachery. When the Gibeonites are threatened, they call out to Joshua for help. Joshua 10, verse 6 tells us that the Gibeonites send a message to Joshua saying, "Do not abandon your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us. Help us, because all the Amorite kings from the hill country have joined forces against us."

Joshua responds immediately. Joshua 10, verse 7 tells us that Joshua and his entire army, including all his best fighting men, set out from Gilgal. Joshua tells his commanders not to be afraid of these kings. He assures them that the Lord has given these kings into their hands. Not one of them will be able to withstand Israel.

What happens next is one of the most extraordinary moments in Scripture. The Israelites march all night and come upon the enemy by surprise. They defeat the five kings in battle. The enemies flee, and God Himself fights for Israel in a way that's almost impossible to comprehend.

Listen to Joshua 10, verses 11 and 12. As the enemy retreats, the Lord throws large hailstones down on them. More of the enemy die from hail than are killed by the swords of the Israelites. Then Joshua speaks to the Lord in the sight of all Israel. Joshua says, "Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon." And then comes a statement that shows just how completely God controls all of creation. Joshua 10, verse 13 says, "So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped until the nation avenged itself on its enemies."

The sun literally stood still in the sky. It didn't set. There was extended daylight so that the Israelites could completely defeat their enemies. Joshua 10, verse 14 adds, "There has never been a day like it before or since, when the Lord listened to a human being. Surely the Lord fought for Israel."

Can you imagine that day? Can you imagine looking up and seeing the sun still high in the sky when it should have set? Can you imagine knowing that God Himself had altered the course of creation to give His people victory? This wasn't about Joshua's military genius. This wasn't about the strength of Israel's army. This was God fighting for His people.

Now, I want to point out something important about what happened leading up to this miracle. Joshua entered into a covenant with the Gibeonites even though they deceived him. That wasn't an ideal situation. But because Joshua had made a covenant, he was obligated to protect them. When he did, God fought for him. Joshua kept his word, and God kept His.

This teaches us that God can work through complicated situations. He can bring victory even when human decisions aren't perfect. He can fulfill His purposes even when people are deceitful. God doesn't work in only ideal circumstances. He works in the real world where people make mistakes, where covenants are broken, where deception happens. And yet His purposes move forward.

The battle ends with a decisive victory. The five kings are defeated. Joshua 10, verse 26 tells us that after the battle, Joshua hung these five kings on five poles and left them there until evening. Then he cut them down and threw them into the cave where they had been hiding, and he rolled large rocks up against the mouth of the cave, where they remain to this day.

As we close this session, I want you to see the central truth. God didn't fight for Israel because Israel was perfect. He didn't fight because all their decisions were wise. He fought because He had made a covenant with them. He had promised to give them the land. And He keeps His promises, no matter what challenges arise.

In your own life, you may have made commitments that seemed unwise. You may have been deceived or hurt. But the question isn't whether your decisions were perfect. The question is whether you'll trust God to fight for you, to lead you through complicated situations, to fulfill His purposes even when circumstances are messy.

May you keep your covenants with integrity, may you trust God to fight for you, and may you remember that God is able to accomplish His purposes in ways far greater than you can imagine.

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Welcome to Session 6 of The Bible Study Class podcast. Over the past five sessions, we've watched God do miraculous things. He's parted water, toppled walls, stopped the sun in the sky. He's shown us His power in amazing ways. But this session is going to shift gears a little bit. We're going to move through Joshua 11 and 12 more quickly, looking at the big picture of what God accomplished. Our title is "Conquering the Land," and our focus is on celebrating God's faithfulness in completing what He started.

After the victory against the five kings who attacked Gibeon, Joshua continues to campaign throughout Canaan. Joshua 11 summarizes these campaigns in a way that shows how comprehensive God's victory was. When Jabin, the king of Hazor, hears about Israel's victories, he sends messages to other kings. Joshua 11, verses 1 to 3 tell us that Jabin calls together a huge coalition of kings. They have a massive army with many horses and chariots. They meet together at the Waters of Merom to fight against Israel.

But God speaks to Joshua and tells him not to be afraid of these kings. God says something really important in Joshua 11, verse 6. The Lord says, "Do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand all of them, slain, over to Israel. You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots." Hamstringing means to cut the tendons of the horses' legs so they can no longer be used in battle. This is God's way of saying that Israel shouldn't trust in military equipment. They shouldn't trust in horses and chariots. They should trust only in God.

Joshua and his army move out at once and launch a surprise attack. Joshua 11, verse 8 tells us that the Lord gave all these kings into the hands of Israel. Joshua defeated them and pursued their armies all the way to Greater Sidon and to the Valley of Mizpah on the east. They struck them down until no survivors were left. Joshua does exactly what God told him to do. He hamstrings all the horses and burns all the chariots. He's removing every temptation to trust in military might instead of in God.

After this victory, Joshua turns his attention to Hazor itself. Joshua 11, verses 10 and 11 tell us that Joshua captured Hazor and put its king to the sword. Hazor had been the head of all these kingdoms. Joshua destroyed the city completely and burned it. Everyone in it was put to the sword. Joshua didn't leave anything alive.

Now, I want to pause here because this is difficult material. The conquest of Canaan involved warfare and bloodshed. Some people struggle with these passages, wondering how they fit with the God of love we see in the New Testament. That's actually a very good question to wrestle with. I won't solve it completely in this podcast session, but let me offer a few thoughts.

First, God's judgment on the nations of Canaan had been set long before Joshua arrived. In Genesis 15, God told Abraham that his descendants would take possession of Canaan, but not for four hundred years. God explained that the sin of the nations living there had not yet reached its full measure. In other words, God gave these nations four hundred years to repent. They didn't. By the time Joshua arrived, God's judgment on these nations was just.

Second, we need to remember that Joshua and Israel were executing God's judgment, not pursuing their own conquest for power or greed. Joshua was serving as God's instrument of justice. This is different from wars of conquest for selfish reasons.

Third, and this is important, we see even in Joshua's conquest that God shows mercy. We already know about Rahab. Joshua 11, verse 19 tells us something else. "Not one of all the towns gave themselves up peacefully to Israel except the Hivites living in Gibeon. All the others Israel took in battle. For it was the Lord, the God of Israel, who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that he might destroy them totally without mercy, as he had commanded Moses." The Gibeonites chose peace, and they were spared. God's justice is tempered with mercy for those who seek it.

As Joshua continues his campaigns throughout Canaan, Joshua 11, verse 23 gives us a summary statement. "So Joshua took the entire land, just as the Lord had directed Moses. And he gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal divisions. Then the land had rest from war." The land had rest from war. After all the conflict and battle, there was finally peace.

Joshua 12 provides a comprehensive list of all the kings that Joshua defeated. The chapter lists thirty-one kings in total. Thirty-one. This wasn't a small victory. This wasn't Joshua taking over a few towns. Joshua conquered the entire land that God had promised to Abraham. The list is detailed and specific. It includes the king of Jericho, the king of Ai, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron. Each one is named. Each one fell before Joshua and the people of Israel.

Here's what I want you to notice about this list. These kings ruled over established cities with walls and fortifications. They had armies and experience in warfare. Some had horses and chariots. By any military standard, they should have been able to stop an incoming force. But they didn't. They were defeated. Why? Not because Joshua was a brilliant military strategist, though he was a wise leader. Not because Israel had the strongest army, though they fought courageously. They were defeated because God fought for His people. God kept the promise He had made four hundred years earlier to Abraham. God remained faithful to His word.

Joshua 12, verses 6 to 8 bring us back to a summary. Moses had defeated kings on the east side of the Jordan before he died. Joshua defeated all these kings on the west side. The conquest was complete from the desert to Lebanon, from the Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea. God's promise was being fulfilled.

Think about what this means. God said He would give His people this land. Generation after generation passed. The promise seemed to fade. But then, in one generation under Joshua's leadership, the entire promise was fulfilled. Not partially. Completely. Every king was defeated. The land was taken.

There's a principle here that applies to our own lives. God keeps His promises, even when it takes longer than we expect. He doesn't give up just because time passes. He doesn't abandon His covenant because circumstances change. He sees the big picture. He works patiently and faithfully until His purposes are accomplished.

I also want you to notice that Joshua was able to celebrate God's faithfulness from a position of victory. He could look back and see that God had done everything He promised. He had not failed in one single thing. Every battle that needed to be won, God won for him. Every king that needed to be defeated, fell before Israel. Every promise God made was kept.

That's a wonderful perspective to have. Joshua didn't have to wonder if God would come through. He didn't have to live in anxiety or doubt. He could rest in the confidence that God had proven Himself completely faithful.

As we wrap up this session, I want to leave you with this thought. You serve the same God that Joshua did. The same God who conquered thirty-one kings. The same God who parted water and made walls fall and stopped the sun in the sky. He's the God who keeps His promises. He's the God who completes what He starts. Whatever challenge you're facing today, whatever situation seems impossible, remember that God is faithful. He may work in ways you don't expect. He may take longer than you hope. But He will not fail you. He will not break His promises. He will bring you to victory.

May you trust in God's faithfulness, may you celebrate His victories in your life, and may you rest in the confidence that the God who conquered Canaan is fighting for you today.

Beep.

Welcome to Session 7 of The Bible Study Class podcast. Joshua has conquered the land. The battles are won. Thirty-one kings have been defeated. God's promise to Abraham is being fulfilled. But now comes an important question: what do you do with the land after you conquer it? How do you divide it among the people? How do you make sure everyone gets what God promised them? This is Joshua 13 and 14, and our title is "Dividing the Land."

Joshua is now old and advanced in years. Joshua 13, verse 1 tells us this directly. The Lord says to Joshua, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over." This reminds us that the conquest wasn't completely finished. There were still some territories and enemies that hadn't been fully subdued. But that wasn't the immediate task. The immediate task was to divide the land among the tribes of Israel according to what God had promised.

For the twelve tribes of Israel, each would receive a portion of the land. This wasn't random. It wasn't first come, first served. God had specific plans for which tribe would receive which territory. The division of the land was based on God's design and purpose. Joshua 13, verse 6 explains this. God tells Joshua, "I myself will drive out all the people living in these areas in front of the Israelites. Be sure to allocate this land to the nine and a half tribes, as I have instructed you."

Why only nine and a half tribes in the land west of the Jordan? Because two and a half tribes had already been given their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan by Moses. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh had chosen to settle there. So Joshua's responsibility was to divide the land west of the Jordan among the other nine and a half tribes.

Joshua 14 introduces us to someone whose story is deeply meaningful. We meet Caleb. Now, Caleb is not a new character. He's been part of this story since the beginning. Caleb was one of the twelve men Moses sent out to spy the land forty years earlier. When the other spies came back with reports of how strong and fearsome the people were, Caleb spoke up. He said the land was excellent and that if the Lord was pleased with them, He would lead them into it. But the people didn't listen. They wanted to stone Caleb and Joshua. Because of the people's disobedience and lack of faith, God made them wander in the wilderness for forty years.

Joshua 14, verses 6 to 12 tell us what happens when the land is being divided. Caleb approaches Joshua. Caleb is now eighty-five years old, but listen to what he says. He reminds Joshua that he followed the Lord wholeheartedly. He tells Joshua about the promise God made through Moses. Moses said that because Caleb had followed the Lord wholeheartedly, the land on which his feet had walked would be his inheritance and that of his children forever. Caleb says, "So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out. I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then."

Think about this for a moment. Caleb is eighty-five years old. He's been through forty years of wilderness wandering. He's lived through the conquest of Canaan. Most people would have settled for a comfortable piece of land and a quiet life. But not Caleb. He's asking for the most difficult territory. He wants the hill country of Hebron, where the Anakites lived. These were giants. These were the people the Israelites had been afraid of forty years earlier. Caleb is saying, "I want the land where the giants live. I want the hardest challenge."

Joshua 14, verses 12 to 14 tell us what happens. Joshua blesses Caleb and gives him Hebron as his inheritance. Joshua 14, verse 14 says, "So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly." Caleb's faithfulness was rewarded. His endurance paid off. His willingness to trust God for forty years, even when everyone else was complaining and doubting, resulted in him receiving exactly what God had promised him.

There's something really powerful about Caleb's story in the context of dividing the land. While the other tribes were receiving their inheritance in a systematic way, Caleb was receiving his as a reward for faithfulness. His story stands out because he's an example of someone who didn't just go through the motions. He didn't just accept the bare minimum. He held on to God's promise even when circumstances were difficult. He remained faithful through disappointment and uncertainty. And when the promise was finally fulfilled, it was completely and generously fulfilled.

Joshua's actions in dividing the land show his commitment to God's will and to God's people. Joshua 13, verse 7 tells us that Joshua is to "divide this land as an inheritance among the nine and a half tribes." Joshua carries out this responsibility faithfully. Each tribe receives its portion. Each family within each tribe receives its inheritance. The land is distributed according to God's design.

But here's something crucial that we need to understand. The giving of the land was God's part. The possessing of the land would be the people's part. Just because Israel was given the land didn't automatically mean they owned it. They had to go take possession of it. They had to live in it. They had to build on it. They had to make it their home. God was faithful in giving the promise. But the people had to be faithful in receiving it and living in it.

This is an important spiritual principle. God gives us many things. He gives us forgiveness through Christ. He gives us His Holy Spirit. He gives us gifts and abilities. He gives us opportunities. But we have a responsibility too. We have to receive what God gives us. We have to put it to use. We have to live it out. God's part is to give. Our part is to receive and to steward what we've been given.

As we think about Caleb's story and about the division of the land, I want you to consider what God has promised you. What inheritance has God set aside for you? What has God told you that you would receive or accomplish? And the harder question: have you remained faithful to that promise through the years when it seemed like it might not come to pass?

Caleb did. After forty years of waiting, after seeing an entire generation pass away, after circumstances that seemed to contradict the promise, Caleb held on. And when it was time to divide the land, he didn't ask for something easy. He asked for the very thing God had promised him. He received his inheritance at eighty-five years old, still strong, still faithful, still ready to trust God for the impossible.

That's the challenge and the blessing of this session. God is faithful to His promises. He remembers what He said. But He also calls us to remain faithful. He calls us to hold on to His promises even when they seem delayed. He calls us to receive what He gives us with gratitude and faithfulness. He calls us to possess our inheritance, not just be given it.

May you have the faithfulness of Caleb. May you remember God's promises in your life. May you remain steady and strong in your trust in God, regardless of how long it takes for His promises to be fulfilled. And may you receive your inheritance from God with joy and gratitude, ready to make it your own.

Beep.

Welcome to Session 8 of The Bible Study Class podcast. Last session, we watched as the land was divided among the twelve tribes. We saw Caleb receive his inheritance, the hill country of Hebron, because of his faithfulness. But now we come to a crucial reality. Being given something and actually possessing it are two different things. This is Joshua 15 to 17, and our title is "Possessing the Promise."

Joshua 15 focuses on the tribe of Judah and the land they were allotted. Judah's territory is described in detail. It includes cities and boundaries. But notice something important in Joshua 15, verses 63 and 64. The passage tells us that the people of Judah could not dislodge the Jebusites, who lived in Jerusalem. So the Jebusites live there with the people of Judah to this day. In other words, Judah was given the land, but they didn't fully possess it. There were still enemies living within their territory.

The same pattern shows up in Joshua 16 and 17. Joshua 16, verse 10 tells us that the tribe of Ephraim could not dislodge the Canaanites living in Gezer. So the Canaanites live among Ephraim to this day. Joshua 17, verses 12 and 13 describe the same problem for the tribe of Manasseh. They could not drive out the people of Beth Shan or the other cities. Yet, when the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected them to forced labor but did not drive them out completely.

This is a really important lesson embedded in these chapters. God gave the land to the people of Israel. But the people had to actually take possession of it. They had to do the work. They had to engage in the battles that still needed to be fought. Some of them did this faithfully. But some of them didn't. Some of them decided it was easier to live alongside their enemies than to push them out. Some of them allowed compromise to settle in.

Joshua 17, verse 16 captures this struggle. The tribe of Joseph, which includes Ephraim and Manasseh, complains to Joshua. They say that the hill country isn't enough for them and that all the Canaanites in the lowlands have iron chariots. They're afraid of the Canaanites' military advantage. Joshua responds to them in verse 17. He tells them not to be afraid of the Canaanites because they will drive them out. But notice what Joshua says in verse 18. He tells them that they will have to clear the forest and take possession of the land even though the Canaanites have iron chariots and are strong.

The key phrase is "you will have to." Not God will do it for you. You will have to. God will help. God will be with you. But the action is on you. You have to be willing to fight. You have to be willing to work. You have to be willing to clear the forest and take possession of what's rightfully yours.

This principle goes beyond military conquest. It applies to every area of Christian life. God gives us salvation through Christ. But we have to appropriate it, to make it our own by faith. God gives us the Holy Spirit, but we have to allow Him to work in our lives. God gives us spiritual gifts, but we have to develop and use them. God gives us healing and wholeness, but we often have to do the work of restoration and renewal. God gives us dreams and purposes, but we have to actually pursue them and live them out.

There's a famous quote that captures this idea: "God helps those who help themselves." Now, that's not a Bible verse, but it captures something biblical. God doesn't do our part and then also do our part. He does what only He can do. He opens doors. He provides strength. He gives wisdom and direction. But we have to walk through the doors. We have to use the strength. We have to apply the wisdom. We have to do the work.

Joshua 15 also includes a beautiful story that illustrates this principle of active possession. Joshua 15, verses 16 to 19 tell us about a man named Othniel. Caleb offers his daughter Aksah as a wife to the man who can capture the city of Debir. Othniel rises to the challenge, captures the city, and wins Aksah's hand in marriage. But then something interesting happens. After the wedding, Aksah encourages Othniel to ask her father for a certain piece of land. She herself asks Caleb for springs of water along with the land he's giving them. Caleb is impressed by her boldness. He gives her the upper and lower springs. She's not passive. She's not waiting for someone to give her everything. She's asking for what she needs. She's taking an active role in possessing and improving the land she's been given.

This is the spirit we need to embrace as we think about our own lives. God gives. God provides. God opens doors. But we also need to be active. We need to be willing to ask for what we need. We need to be willing to work hard to develop what we've been given. We need to be willing to clear away obstacles. We need to take possession of the promises God has made to us.

Throughout Joshua 15, 16, and 17, we see the reality that the conquest wasn't finished just because the major battles had been won. There were still pockets of resistance. There were still enemies living in the land. But rather than viewing this as a failure, we should see it as an opportunity for each tribe to experience God's faithfulness firsthand. Each tribe would have to trust God to help them drive out their enemies. Each tribe would have to prove their own faithfulness by taking action.

Some tribes did this. Some didn't. Some decided to live with compromise rather than pay the price for complete victory. And that decision would have consequences. Throughout Israel's history, these compromises would come back to haunt them. The Jebusites would remain in Jerusalem until David conquered the city. The Canaanites in other areas would eventually become a snare to Israel, leading them into idolatry and unfaithfulness to God.

But that's a lesson for later in the story. For now, in Joshua 15 to 17, we see the challenge laid before God's people. You've been given the land. Now you have to take possession of it. You have to do the work. You have to trust God and take action.

Here's the encouragement I want to leave you with today. Whatever God has promised you, whatever inheritance He's set aside for you, you have a role to play in possessing it. Don't be passive. Don't wait for everything to be handed to you without effort on your part. Ask boldly for what you need. Work hard. Trust God and take action. Clear away obstacles. Push toward the promises God has made. You're not just meant to hear about God's faithfulness. You're meant to experience it in your own life by actively pursuing what He's called you to. The land is yours. Now take possession of it.

Beep.

Welcome to Session 9 of The Bible Study Class podcast. So far in Joshua, we've seen how God fulfilled His promise to give the land to Israel. We've watched the conquest and the division of the land among the tribes. But now we come to something that might seem like an unexpected turn. We're going to learn about the cities of refuge. This is Joshua 18 to 20, and our title is "The Cities of Refuge." This session is about God's heart for justice and mercy, and how He created safe places for people in need.

Joshua 18 tells us that the people of Israel gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. This is the central place of worship for Israel. But there are still seven tribes who haven't received their inheritance yet. Joshua tells these tribes that they need to go out and survey the land so it can be divided among them. He's going to help them get what belongs to them, but they have to do the work first. Again, we see this principle of active possession. The tribes have to be willing to work to secure their inheritance.

Joshua 19 describes how the remaining seven tribes receive their portions. Benjamin gets the land between Judah and Ephraim. Simeon gets cities within Judah's territory. Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan each receive their designated areas. Every tribe gets a portion. Every family gets an inheritance.

But then comes Joshua 20, and this is where things shift in a really important way. Joshua 20 addresses something that seems far removed from the conquest of Canaan, but it's absolutely essential to how God wants His people to live. This chapter is about the cities of refuge.

Listen to what God tells Joshua in Joshua 20, verses 1 to 3. The Lord says, "Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, so that anyone who has killed a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood."

Now, you might be wondering what "the avenger of blood" means. In ancient Israel, if someone was killed, it was the responsibility of the nearest relative to execute justice. This is called the kinsman avenger. It was their duty to bring the killer to justice. But what if the killing wasn't intentional? What if it was an accident? What if someone didn't mean to harm anyone but a death resulted from their actions? In that case, they needed protection. They needed a place to flee where they could be safe and where justice could be properly administered.

So God commanded that six cities be set aside as cities of refuge. Joshua 20, verse 7 tells us their names. For the west side of the Jordan, there were Kedesh in Galilee, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah. Three cities on the east side of the Jordan were also designated: Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan.

These cities were strategically placed so that they were accessible to people from all parts of the land. The roads to them were kept clear so that someone fleeing could reach them quickly. Joshua 20, verses 4 to 6 describe how the system worked. If someone accidentally killed another person, they could flee to one of these cities and stand in the gateway and state their case to the elders of that city. The elders would listen. They would determine whether the death was intentional or accidental. If it was accidental, they would receive the person into their city and give them a place to live. The person would remain in the city until the death of the high priest. Then they would be free to go home. The death of the high priest was significant. It represented a kind of atonement or covering for what had happened.

There's something really beautiful about this system. It protected people who were innocent from being killed by someone seeking revenge. It provided a way for justice to be properly determined. It allowed for mercy to be extended to those who acted without malice. It embodied both God's justice and His compassion.

Think about what this reveals about God's heart. God is not interested in just revenge. He's interested in truth and justice. He wants to know: what actually happened? Was this intentional or accidental? God cares about the difference. God knows that accidents happen. He knows that people don't always intend the harm they cause. And He provides a way for the innocent to be protected and for the guilty to face real consequences.

The cities of refuge also had another significance. They were levitical cities. Joshua 21 tells us more about this. These were cities given to the Levites, who were the priests and religious leaders of Israel. The Levites didn't have their own territory like the other tribes. Instead, they were scattered throughout the land in cities. They were to be teachers of God's law. They were to lead worship. They were to help administer justice.

So God placed refuges in the cities of the Levites. This means that people fleeing to these cities would encounter God's representatives. They would be in places where God's law was taught and where God's Word was central. The refuge wasn't just a place of safety. It was a place where people could encounter God and His truth.

This has profound spiritual implications for us. God's protection isn't just about being safe from physical danger. It's about being drawn close to God Himself. God's refuge for us is found in His Word, in His community of faith, in His truth. When we're in danger, when we're afraid, when we need protection, we can run to God. We can seek Him out. And in seeking Him, we'll find not just safety but transformation and healing.

The cities of refuge also teach us something about how we should treat others. If someone has harmed us, even if they did it accidentally or unintentionally, we should seek to understand. We should be willing to extend mercy if the harm wasn't intentional. We should value justice, but we should also value compassion. We should protect the innocent and provide ways for people to make things right.

As we close this session, I want you to think about what these cities of refuge mean for your own life today. You live in a world where accidents happen. Where people get hurt. Where injustice sometimes occurs. God is calling you to be someone who values both justice and mercy. God is calling you to be a place of refuge for others when they need protection. And God is reminding you that He Himself is your refuge. When you're afraid, when you're in trouble, when you need protection, you can run to God. You can seek His truth. You can find safety in His presence. The cities of refuge point us to Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate refuge for all who believe in Him. He offers us forgiveness for our sins, protection from God's judgment, and a place within God's family. May you run to God in your time of need and find in Him the justice, mercy, and refuge that your soul longs for.

Beep.

Welcome to Session 10 of The Bible Study Class podcast. We're nearing the end of Joshua's leadership. The land has been conquered. It's been divided among the tribes. Cities of refuge have been established. Safe places have been created. But there's one more thing that needs to be done. There's one more way that God's faithfulness needs to be confirmed. This is Joshua 21 and 22, and our title is "Finalizing the Inheritance."

Joshua 21 focuses on the Levites. Remember, the Levites didn't receive a large territory like the other tribes. Instead, they were scattered throughout the land in specific cities. This was by God's design. The Levites were to be God's representatives throughout Israel. They were to care for the tabernacle, lead worship, teach God's law, and administer justice. They needed to be present everywhere in the land, not just in one place.

So Joshua and the leaders of the Levites and the heads of the other tribes determine which cities will belong to the Levites. Joshua 21, verse 8 tells us that by lot, the Israelites gave the Levites the following cities and their pasurelands. Then the passage lists all the cities. It's a detailed list, and it shows that the distribution was careful and deliberate. The Levites would have forty-eight cities in total, scattered throughout Israel's territory.

But then comes a statement in Joshua 21, verse 43 that summarizes everything that has happened up to this point. Listen to this carefully. "So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there." All the land. Everything God had promised. It was given. It was taken. It was settled. The promise was fulfilled.

Then Joshua 21, verse 44 adds one more crucial detail. "The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. None of their enemies could withstand them. The Lord gave into their hands every one of their enemies."

Not one enemy could stand against them. God had given them the victory. God had kept every promise. There was rest. There was peace. After all the battles, after all the struggles, the people could finally settle down and build their lives.

Joshua 21, verse 45 then makes the most sweeping statement of all. "Not one of all the Lord's good promises to Israel failed. Every one was fulfilled." Every single one. Not one failed. This is the testimony of Scripture. This is what the story of Joshua demonstrates. God is faithful. God keeps His word. God completes what He starts.

But then, in Joshua 22, something happens that tests whether Israel is as unified as they seem. The two and a half tribes who received their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan are finally released to go home. Joshua had promised them that they could return to their own land once the rest of Israel was settled. Now that time has come.

Joshua 22, verses 1 to 6 describe Joshua's farewell to these tribes. Joshua blesses them. He tells them to be very careful to keep the commandments that the Lord their God gave them. He tells them to love the Lord and walk in all His ways. And then he sends them home with great wealth, with livestock, with silver, gold, bronze, iron, and clothes. Joshua is generous in his blessing. He sends them off abundantly.

But as soon as these tribes arrive back on the east side of the Jordan, they do something that causes great alarm. Joshua 22, verse 10 tells us that when they came to the region of the Jordan that belonged to Canaan, they built a large altar there by the Jordan. The news reaches the other Israelites, and they're furious. Joshua 22, verse 12 tells us that the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them.

Why such a reaction? Because, according to God's law, there was only one place where sacrifices could be offered. That was at the tabernacle. An altar built anywhere else was seen as a violation of God's covenant. It was seen as idolatry or rebellion. The western tribes thought the eastern tribes were breaking covenant with God.

But here's where we see the importance of communication and seeking to understand before we judge. Joshua 22, verses 21 to 29 give us the response of the eastern tribes. They explain that they built the altar not to offer sacrifices but as a witness, as a memorial. They're saying, "We built this altar as a sign that we are part of Israel. We are part of your covenant community even though we live on the other side of the Jordan. We built it so that our descendants would know that we belong to the same God."

When the western tribes hear this explanation, their anger turns to relief and blessing. Joshua 22, verse 31 tells us that Phinehas and the leaders said to the people of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, "Today we know that the Lord is with us, because you have not been unfaithful to the Lord in this matter. Now you have rescued the Israelites from the Lord's hand."

This episode teaches us something vital. It shows us how easily misunderstanding can lead to conflict. It shows us how important it is to listen to one another and to seek to understand before we judge. It also shows us that God's people, even after everything they've been through, are still capable of almost going to war with one another based on assumptions rather than facts.

Joshua 22, verse 33 tells us that the Reubenites and Gadites gave the altar a name. They called it A Witness Between Us That the Lord Is God. It's a monument to unity. It's a reminder that despite living on different sides of the Jordan, they're part of one covenant community.

But Joshua 22, verse 34 adds something important. It says the Reubenites and Gadites said, "The altar is a witness between us that the Lord is God." In other words, they wanted to make sure that their descendants would know they belonged to Israel. They wanted to ensure that their children and grandchildren would understand their covenant connection to God.

As we close this session, I want to point out what's just happened. God has fulfilled every promise. All the land has been given. It's been divided fairly. Every tribe, including the Levites, has received what was promised. Rest has been achieved. Enemies have been defeated. The covenant has been maintained. The eastern tribes, living far from the center of worship, still want to be part of God's covenant community. They want their children to know they belong to God.

This is where Joshua's story reaches its culmination. The promise is fulfilled. The people are settled. But the story continues. There's still work to be done. There's still a choice to be made. Will Israel remain faithful to God? Will they continue to follow His commands? Will they pass on their faith to the next generation?

These questions set us up for our next sessions, where Joshua will make his final appeals to the people. But for now, take heart in knowing that God has proven Himself completely faithful. Every promise He made, He kept. And He calls us to be people of faithfulness too, not just for ourselves but for the generations that come after us.

May you remember God's faithfulness. May you maintain unity with God's people. And may you be faithful to pass on your faith to those who come after you.

Beep.

Welcome to Session 11 of The Bible Study Class podcast. We've reached a turning point in the story of Joshua. The conquest is complete. The land is divided. The people are settled. But now we come to something crucial. We come to Joshua's final message to the people. This is Joshua 23, and our title is "Choose to Remain Faithful."

Joshua is very old now. Joshua 23, verse 1 tells us that after a long time had passed and the Lord had given Israel rest from all their enemies around them, Joshua called together all Israel, their elders, leaders, judges, and officials. Joshua is gathering the entire nation. He has something important to tell them. He knows his time is short, and he wants to make sure the people understand what God expects of them.

Joshua's opening words are a summary of God's faithfulness. Listen to Joshua 23, verses 3 and 4. Joshua says, "I am very old. You yourselves have seen everything the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake. It was the Lord your God who fought for you. See, I have allotted as an inheritance for your tribes all the lands of the nations that remain, as well as all the nations I have already conquered, from the Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea in the west."

Joshua is reminding the people of history. He's saying, "Look back. Remember. God did all this. God fought for you. God gave you the land. The victory wasn't yours. It was God's. God made all of this possible."

This is an important spiritual practice. Joshua is calling the people to remember. Not just to know facts about the past, but to remember them in a way that shapes how they live in the present and future. When you remember God's faithfulness, it changes you. It gives you confidence. It strengthens your faith.

But then Joshua shifts into the heart of his message. He says something that reveals what really concerns him. Listen to Joshua 23, verses 6 to 8. Joshua says, "Be very strong. Be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses without turning aside to the right or to the left. Do not associate with these nations that remain among you. Do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them."

Joshua is warning the people about a danger. And this danger is subtle. It's not that armies are attacking them. The enemies are defeated. The danger is that the people will gradually adopt the ways of the nations around them. They'll start serving other gods. They'll start following other practices. They'll slowly drift away from faithfulness to God.

This is a very real danger for God's people. Joshua has led them to military victory, but spiritual victory is a different kind of struggle. Military victory comes through warfare. Spiritual victory comes through obedience and faithfulness day after day. And it's much easier to lose spiritually than it is to lose militarily.

Joshua 23, verses 9 and 10 emphasize just how thoroughly God has fought for them. Joshua says, "The Lord your God himself will push them out for your sake. He will drive them before you, and you will take their land as the Lord your God promised you." God has done it. God will continue to do it. The people can trust God.

But then comes a condition. Listen to Joshua 23, verse 11. "So be very careful to love the Lord your God."

"Love the Lord your God." That's the bottom line. Everything depends on this. All the conquest, all the victories, all the settling in the land, all of it flows from a relationship of love with God. If that love becomes lukewarm or distant, everything else falls apart.

Joshua 23, verses 12 to 13 describe what happens if the people turn away. Joshua says that if they turn away and ally themselves with the survivors of these nations, then be sure that the Lord will no longer drive out these nations before them. Instead, they will become snares and traps for you, scourges on your sides and thorns in your eyes until you perish from this good land.

This is a serious warning. If they turn away from God, if they disobey His commands, if they embrace other gods, they will lose what God has given them. The very nations they've conquered will become problems for them. They'll be snares and traps. They'll cause suffering. And eventually, the people will lose their hold on the land.

This warning isn't harsh punishment for the sake of punishment. It's the natural consequence of breaking covenant. God has made promises to bless them if they're faithful and to withdraw His blessing if they're unfaithful. Joshua is making sure they understand this clearly.

Joshua 23, verse 14 brings us to the climax of his message. Listen to this. "Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled. Not one has failed."

Joshua is making two points here. First, he's acknowledging that he's about to die. He's leaving the people. But second, and more importantly, he's making a final statement about God's character. Every promise has been fulfilled. Not one has failed. This is Joshua's testimony. This is what he wants the people to remember about God.

But then Joshua 23, verse 15 reminds the people that just as all of God's good promises have come true, so too will all of God's threats come true if they turn away. Joshua says, "Just as all the good things the Lord your God has promised you have come to you, so he will bring all the evil things on you, all the curses, until he destroys you from this good land he has given you."

God's word is reliable. Whether it's a promise or a warning, God means what He says. The people need to take both seriously.

As we think about Joshua 23 and Joshua's final message to the people, there's a lesson for us. Joshua was not calling people to perfection. He was calling them to faithfulness. He was reminding them that their relationship with God was central. Everything else flows from that. Military strength doesn't matter if God isn't with you. Land doesn't matter if you're separated from God. Wealth and prosperity don't matter if you're distant from God.

What matters is loving God. What matters is serving Him. What matters is keeping His commandments. What matters is remaining faithful.

And here's what's striking about Joshua's message. He doesn't threaten them with consequences just to be mean. He warns them because he cares about them. He's an old man who has seen God's faithfulness his entire life. He wants the next generation to experience the same faithfulness. He wants them to know God as He is. He wants them to benefit from the promises God has made.

So Joshua's message to the people is simple. Remember what God has done. Love the Lord your God. Keep His commandments. Do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Remain faithful.

That same message is for us today. We live in a world with many competing claims on our loyalty. Many gods are offered for us to serve. Many philosophies and ideologies call for our allegiance. But Joshua would call us back to the essentials. Love God. Serve Him. Keep His word. Remain faithful.

As we close this session, I want to challenge you. What has God done in your life? How has He been faithful to you? Take time to remember. And then ask yourself: am I remaining faithful to Him? Am I letting my love for God grow cold? Am I being drawn away to other things? Joshua's warning to ancient Israel is a warning for us. Faithfulness matters. Love for God matters. Our choice to remain committed to Him, day after day, matters more than anything else.

May you remember God's faithfulness. May you renew your love for Him today. And may you choose to remain faithful to the God who has proven Himself completely trustworthy.

Beep.

Welcome to Session 12 of The Bible Study Class podcast. We're near the end of Joshua's story. Last session, Joshua gave his final warning to the people about the importance of remaining faithful to God. Today, we reach the climax of the book. We're going to see Joshua lead a powerful ceremony of covenant renewal. This is Joshua 24, and our title is "Serving the Lord in Every Generation."

Joshua gathers all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. This is a meaningful location. Shechem is where Abraham received God's promise centuries earlier. It's where God confirmed His covenant. Now Joshua brings all the people there for one final gathering.

Joshua 24, verses 2 to 13 contain Joshua's review of Israel's entire history. Joshua goes back to the beginning and reminds the people of everything God has done. Joshua says, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods."

Joshua is starting at the very beginning. He's reminding the people that their ancestors were idol worshipers. They were far from God. Then he traces the journey. God called Abraham. He took him from the far east and led him through the land. He gave him Isaac. He gave Isaac Jacob and Esau. He led Jacob and his family into Egypt. He brought them out of Egypt with signs and wonders. He parted the Red Sea. He led them through the wilderness. He brought them into the land. He gave them the land. All of this, Joshua reminds them, is what God did.

Then, in Joshua 24, verse 13, Joshua summarizes it all. Joshua says, "I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build, yet you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant."

Everything they have, they have because of God. The land they possess, they didn't conquer it by their own strength. God gave it to them. The cities they live in, they didn't build them. God provided them. The crops they eat, they didn't plant them. God blessed them.

This is the historical context for what Joshua is about to ask of the people. Given all that God has done, given His faithfulness throughout their entire history, what will they choose? What will be their response?

Joshua 24, verse 14 contains the pivotal question. Joshua says, "Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord."

"Serve the Lord with all faithfulness." That's the call. Not partially. Not sometimes. With all faithfulness. Completely. Wholeheartedly.

But Joshua doesn't demand it. He doesn't command it. Instead, he gives them a choice. Listen to Joshua 24, verses 15 to 18. Joshua says, "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

This is one of the most famous statements in all of Scripture. "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua is making his own choice clear. He has seen God's faithfulness. He has witnessed God's power. He knows that God is trustworthy. And he chooses to serve the Lord. He's making a personal declaration. This is what matters to him.

But notice what Joshua does. He doesn't just make his declaration and leave it at that. He addresses the people. He says, "Now, therefore, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve." He's inviting them to make the same choice. He's not forcing them. He's laying before them the decision they need to make.

And the people respond. Joshua 24, verses 16 to 18 tell us that the people answered and said, "Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods. It was the Lord our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. He performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. And the Lord drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the Lord, because he is our God."

The people make their choice. They commit themselves to serving the Lord. It's a powerful moment. The entire nation, united, declares that they will serve God.

But Joshua is wise enough to understand something about human nature. We make commitments in moments of fervor that we sometimes struggle to keep in the daily routine of life. So Joshua issues a warning. Joshua 24, verses 19 and 20 contain his sobering words. Joshua says, "You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you."

This might seem harsh, but Joshua is being honest. He's saying, "This is serious. Serving God is not casual. You can't just say these words and then live however you want. God is holy. He will not tolerate unfaithfulness." Joshua is preparing the people for the spiritual battles ahead. He wants them to understand that this commitment they're making is real. It will be tested. It will be difficult at times. And the stakes are high.

But the people respond to Joshua's warning by reaffirming their commitment. Joshua 24, verses 21 to 24 tell us that the people said to Joshua, "No. We will serve the Lord." When Joshua challenges them again, they respond again, "We will serve the Lord our God and obey him." And Joshua says to them, "You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the Lord." They say, "Yes, we are witnesses."

Then Joshua makes the commitment official. Joshua 24, verses 25 and 26 tell us that Joshua made a covenant for the people that day and set up decrees and laws for them at Shechem. He took a large stone and set it up there under the oak tree near the holy place of the Lord. And Joshua said to all the people, "See this stone. It will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the Lord has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God."

The stone becomes a memorial. It's a witness to the covenant. It's a reminder of the choice the people made that day. Whenever they see that stone, they'll remember their commitment. They'll remember that they chose to serve the Lord.

Joshua 24, verses 29 to 31 bring us to the very end of the book of Joshua. Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of one hundred and ten. And the people served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and throughout the lifetime of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel.

Notice that last phrase. "Throughout the lifetime of Joshua and throughout the lifetime of the elders who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel." The people remained faithful as long as they were living with those who remembered. As long as they had leaders and elders who could testify to God's faithfulness, they served Him.

But the book ends with an unspoken question hanging in the air. What will happen when Joshua dies? What will happen when the elders pass away? What will happen to the next generation who didn't see the parting of the Red Sea or the falling of Jericho's walls? Will they remain faithful? Will they pass on their faith to their children?

As we close this session, I want to highlight what Joshua has done. He's led the people to a place of commitment. He's made them witnesses to their own choice to serve God. He's established monuments to remember that choice. He's prepared them for the challenges ahead. But ultimately, the responsibility falls on each individual and each generation. Will we choose to serve the Lord? Will we pass on our faith to those who come after us? Will we remain faithful even when we're far removed from the great acts of God?

These are the questions that Joshua's story leaves us with. And they're the questions each of us must answer. "As for me and my house, will we serve the Lord?" That's the choice before us. That's what the entire story of Joshua has been pointing toward. A choice. A commitment. A decision to serve God with our whole hearts.

May you have the courage of Joshua. May you declare your loyalty to God boldly. May you choose to serve the Lord faithfully throughout your lifetime. And may you pass on your faith to the next generation so that they too will serve the Lord all their days.

Beep.

Welcome to Session 13 of The Bible Study Class podcast, our final session in the book of Joshua. Over the past twelve weeks, we've followed Joshua from the moment God commissioned him to be strong and courageous all the way through his final covenant renewal with the people. We've watched God part water, topple walls, and fight with miraculous power. We've seen how God honored the faithfulness of people like Rahab and Caleb. We've learned about God's justice and mercy through the cities of refuge. And we've heard Joshua's final exhortation to the people to choose faithfully to serve God. Today, as we bring our study to a close, we're going to focus on the most important truth of the entire book. Our title is "Not One Promise Failed."

Earlier in our study, we looked at Joshua 21, verses 43 to 45. That passage summarized the completion of the conquest, and it contained a remarkable statement. Let me read it to you again. "So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. None of their enemies could withstand them. The Lord gave into their hands every one of their enemies. The Lord kept every promise he had made to them. Not one of all the Lord's good promises to Israel failed. Every one was fulfilled."

Not one promise failed. Every one was fulfilled. That's the summary statement of the entire book of Joshua. That's what God had said He would do, and that's exactly what He did.

Let's think back to when that promise was first made. God appeared to Abraham and said, "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you. I will make your name great and you will be a blessing. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you." That was the promise. God was going to give Abraham a great nation and a land for that nation to inhabit.

For hundreds of years, that promise seemed distant. Abraham had a son, Isaac, and Isaac had a son, Jacob. Jacob's family moved to Egypt. There, they were enslaved. For four hundred years, they endured slavery. The promise seemed impossible. How could they become a great nation? How could they ever possess their own land? They were slaves in another nation's land.

Then God raised up Moses. God brought plagues on Egypt. God parted the Red Sea. God led the people out of slavery. God gave them His law at Mount Sinai. God sustained them in the wilderness for forty years. But then Moses died, and Joshua took over. And Joshua, in his generation, finally saw the fulfillment of what God had promised centuries earlier.

Joshua led the people across the Jordan. He saw God miraculously stop the river. He marched around Jericho, and the walls fell. He defeated thirty-one kings. He conquered the land. He divided it among the twelve tribes. He established cities of refuge. He set up monuments to remember God's faithfulness. And at the end of his life, he could look back and say with absolute certainty that not one of God's promises had failed. Every single promise had been fulfilled.

What does this tell us about God? It tells us that God's word is absolutely reliable. God doesn't make promises He can't keep. God doesn't say one thing and do another. God is faithful. His promises are sure. They may take time to fulfill. They may seem impossible from a human perspective. But they will come to pass.

Now, let's apply this to our own lives. What promises has God made to you? Scripture is full of promises. God promises to be with us in our troubles. God promises to give us wisdom if we ask Him. God promises to work all things together for good for those who love Him. God promises to never leave us or forsake us. God promises eternal life to those who believe in Jesus Christ. God promises to finish the work He starts in us.

Here's the question: do you believe these promises? Do you really believe them? Or do you believe them with part of your mind but doubt them with another part? Joshua's story is designed to strengthen your faith. It's designed to help you believe that God keeps His promises. Because if God kept every promise He made to Israel, if not one failed, then God will keep His promises to you.

You may be facing a situation right now that seems impossible. You may be wondering if God really can work it out. You may be tempted to doubt. But Joshua would say to you what he said to Israel. Look back. Remember what God has already done. Remember His faithfulness in your past. If God was faithful to His promises to you up until now, God will continue to be faithful. God's character doesn't change. His promises don't fail.

There's another important aspect to this closing thought on Joshua. Joshua 23, verses 14 and 15 remind us that just as God's promises are sure, so too are His warnings. Just as God kept every good promise He made, so too will He keep His word about the consequences of unfaithfulness.

This means we have a responsibility. We can't just passively receive God's blessings. We have to actively choose to serve Him. We have to choose to obey His word. We have to choose to remain faithful. Joshua challenged the people to make that choice. "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve." And the people responded, "We will serve the Lord."

That challenge is for us today. Whom will you serve? Will you serve the Lord with all your heart? Or will you allow other things to pull your attention and loyalty away from God? Will you remain faithful to Him even when you face temptations and difficulties? Will you teach your children and grandchildren about God's faithfulness so that they too will serve Him?

Here's something else I want to emphasize. The faithfulness of God didn't create a perfect people. Joshua's conquest led to Israel possessing the land, but it also led to challenges. Some of the Canaanites remained in the land. Some of the tribes didn't completely drive out their enemies. The people had to actively possess what God had given them. Spiritual victory required ongoing faithfulness and obedience.

In the same way, receiving God's promises in your own life won't make life perfect. You'll still face challenges. You'll still encounter obstacles. You'll still be tempted to doubt and to turn away. But God has promised to be with you through all of it. God has promised to strengthen you. God has promised that His grace is sufficient for your needs. God has promised that nothing can separate you from His love.

As we close this thirteen-week study of Joshua, I want to challenge you to do something. Take some time this week to review what you've learned. Remember the stories. Remember Joshua being called to be strong and courageous. Remember Rahab's unexpected faith. Remember the Jordan stopping and the twelve stones. Remember the walls of Jericho falling. Remember Achan's sin and the people's restoration. Remember the day the sun stood still. Remember Caleb at eighty-five years old still trusting God's promise. Remember the cities of refuge. Remember Joshua's covenant renewal with the people.

Then ask yourself: what is God promising me? What areas of my life do I struggle to believe that God will be faithful? What am I afraid of? What do I doubt? And then remember Joshua's testimony. "Not one of the Lord's good promises has failed. Every one was fulfilled." The God who kept every promise to Israel is the God you serve today.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we have an even greater promise than what Israel had. We have the promise of forgiveness and eternal life through Christ. We have the promise that our sins have been paid for. We have the promise that we will spend eternity in God's presence. We have the promise that God will conform us into the image of Christ. These are the greatest promises of all, and they are absolutely sure.

I want to encourage you, as we close this study. Don't just understand the stories of Joshua intellectually. Let them transform your faith. Let Joshua's confidence in God's faithfulness become your confidence. Let Caleb's perseverance become your perseverance. Let Joshua's courage become your courage. Believe that God is faithful. Believe that God keeps His promises. Believe that God is fighting for you.

And most importantly, make a decision. Make it personal. Make it your own. As Joshua said, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." What will you say? Will you choose to serve God faithfully? Will you trust His promises? Will you commit yourself to Him?

May you have a faith that is absolutely certain that God is faithful. May you trust His promises with your whole heart. May you serve Him with courage and conviction. And may you leave a legacy of faithfulness for those who come after you, just as Joshua did. God bless you as you continue your journey with Him.

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