WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday March 14, 2021

 

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PROPHET OF CONQUEST

(The fall of Jericho)

(Joshua 5:13-6:20)

 

   The book of Joshua is the first of the so-called “historical books” of the Holy Bible. The others are Judges, Ruth, 1^st and 2^nd Samuel, 1^st and 2^nd Kings, 1^st and 2^nd Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.

    The book of Joshua gives the account of how the Israelites conquered the land of Canaan under the spiritual and military leadership of Joshua, “the prophet of conquest”. GOD chose Joshua to succeed Moses and to lead the people across the Jordan River, and into “the promised land”.

    Joshua, whose name means “YAHWEH saves” was also charged by GOD to assign by lot, all the parcels of the land of Palestine to eleven of the twelve tribes of Israel (the descendants of Jacob, excluding Levi). The priestly line of Levi was not to own any land, but instead, were to be supported by all the other tribes while they themselves would serve GOD exclusively in the coming Church.

    Joshua’s appointment marked the beginning of a 450-year period during which a succession of judges would rule over “GOD’s chosen people”. This period would end with the prophet Samuel, the last judge of Israel, who would then, by GOD’s instruction (because the people of Israel requested it), appoint Israel’s first king (Saul). Samuel was later instructed by GOD to replace Saul with HIS beloved “David”, the youngest son of Jesse, thus beginning the dynasty of “the Davidic Line” of kingship rule.

    The book of Joshua serves to remind us of “the faithfulness of GOD”, and how, through our obedience to HIM, we are able to win in both spiritual and military warfare, and claim HIS promises for, and in, our everyday lives. It is very appropriate how this book opens with a description of GOD’s preparation of this young leader for his “personal creation role” and calling within HIS divine plan.

    Joshua’s divine calling required him to be faithful, strong, and courageous. GOD’s promises can only be claimed by carefully following HIS laws and instructions, and as Joshua walks the path that GOD defines for him, the LORD is with him wherever he goes. And so, we see that, here in this biblical account, obeying the whole law of GOD becomes the dominant theme for Joshua of his own life experiences as leader over Israel.

    Here in Joshua chapter 5, taking up at verse 13, as Joshua and his army approached the city of Jericho, he looked up and saw the figure of a man (“a theophany of CHRIST”) facing him with a sword in HIS hand. Joshua walked up to HIM and asked was HE “friend or foe” and the man replied, “neither one”, but rather, “I AM the COMMANDER of the LORD’s army”.

    Immediately Joshua fell, face-down to the ground in reverence, saying, “I am at YOUR command”, “What do YOU want YOUR servant to do?”. The COMMANDER of the LORD’s army then instructed Joshua to “Take off your sandals, for this is holy ground.” And Joshua complied to the LORD’s command.

    And so, in Joshua chapter 6, the LORD now speaks to Joshua through HIS COMMANDER, telling him that the tightly shut gates of Jericho would be opened, and that HE would give him victory over Jericho, the next city that stood in the way, in his pursuit to conquer the land of Canaan. In fact, the COMMANDER says that the very walls of Jericho would collapse by supernatural means if they followed HIS specific instructions to the letter (Vs.1-5).

    We often think of Joshua as being just an excellent military leader, and we do not always consider the fact that he was also a great prophet. He is remembered mostly for his actions with a sword, more so than he is as a man who strongly proclaimed GOD’s messages to HIS people. However, GOD spoke through Joshua and gave many instructions and directions to the Israelites after HE called Moses, “the prophet of deliverance” home to be with HIM.

    In this passage, the people obeyed everything that Joshua received from the LORD, and they did not sway from HIS instructions, not one iota (Vs.6-20). They understood, by faith, that the city of Jericho was being conquered by GOD’s power, and not through their own power and might. And before their victory was ever physically realized, it had already become an accepted spiritual reality, based on their faith in GOD, and their belief that Joshua’s leadership role came, from GOD.

 

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

 

 

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