Sunday: The Battle of Jericho: Joshua 5:13-6:19
Joshua is made aware of God’s unseen presence and His heavenly army, prepared to do battle alongside his faithful people. Joshua’s experience teaches us that we are not alone in our struggles on this earth. There are spiritual forces fighting on our behalf as well as against us. We have the Holy Spirit who remains constantly at our side as our helper and defender. (Acts 12:5-11, 18:9-10, 23:11, John 14:16-23)
Monday: Destruction of Jericho: Joshua 6:20-27
All the people of Jericho were sentenced to total destruction. The destruction of Jericho teaches that our Creator God may justly destroy those who are given over to evil and unrighteousness. Jericho was the firstfruits of the conquest; other cities were not treated the same way as Jericho. (Deuteronomy 13:16; Jeremiah 18:6-7; 45:4; Matthew 10:28; Luke 13:3)
Tuesday: Defeat at Ai: Joshua 7:1-18
Joshua learned that the defeat at Ai was caused by sin in the camp. Someone had disobeyed the Lord in the conquest of Jericho by looting. Many times, defeat comes after victory: that’s when we least expect it. That’s when we feel strongest in ourselves. Consequently, they learned painfully that all was not well; something had changed. The Canaanites were not any stronger, but Israel was weaker because of one man’s sin. Although only one man was at fault, the whole nation was guilty, and thirty-six men died. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
Wednesday: Achan’s Sin: Joshua 7:19-26
Achan should have been attending to his military duties, but his eyes wandered, and he walked into the sin of covetousness. He valued the spoils more than he valued obedience to God. (Genesis 3:6; Psalm 119:162; James 1:14-15)
Thursday: Victory at Ai: Joshua 8:1-29
Never permit one failure to rob you of future victory. When God sees that we have obeyed His Word and sincerely dealt with sin, He comes with encouragement and guidance for the next step. The victorious Christian life is a series of new beginnings. (Psalms 37:23-24)
Friday: Joshua Built an Altar: Joshua 8:30-33
The building of an altar reveals the principles for understanding the book of Joshua. The right to possess the promised land was dependent on Israel’s loyalty to God’s covenant. The continuance of God’s blessings was dependent on heart-felt faith. (Deuteronomy 30:15-18)
Saturday: Joshua Read the Law: Joshua 8:34-35
The written Word of God was the ultimate authority for His people and the basis upon which they experienced either His blessing or curse. Joshua obeyed what Moses had commanded, for obedience to the Word is the secret of success. (Deuteronomy 27; Matthew 7:24-27)