A Case for the Bible: Basic Answers for the Book of Joshua Chapters 5-8

Answers for a study in the book of Joshua” is a weekly post in addition to the regular “apologetics” posts on the weekend where the original questions can be found at the bottom of the study, and then answers appear here mid-week. This gives you time to do your own research, and then check your answers. Keep in mind these will be basic answers with a little depth, but you can go much deeper for discussion if you’d like.

Note: Class presentation, videos, reflections and Bible study questions are posted on the weekend – Bible study answers (like these) are posted mid-week.

Review and Bible Study

Chapter 5: Israel is circumcised; conquering the Promised Land; Joshua attacks the land center

At this point the surrounding people groups were in fear because they had heard about God’s hand being miraculously with the Israelites at the Jordan. But God has Joshua do a “time-out” because the men of Israel in this new generation had not been circumcised as their parents had been in Egypt, so they did so and rested the needed period of time for healing (note: this also shows even more the disobedience on the part of their parents’ generation coming out of Egypt). We also note here that the people observed Passover at the appointed time, and on that day, they began to eat from the fruit of the land and there was no longer a need for God to provide the manna, and thus it ceased. In the last three verses of this chapter Joshua encounters “the Captain of the LORD’s host” who spoke to him and told him that the ground he was on, was holy ground, and Joshua respected Him by bowing and removing his sandals.

C = The Abrahamic Covenant is in view here with circumcision which was part of the Covenant as a sign God required, showing that the people would follow and honor God, as His people (representatives) to the other Nations. We also see the Land part of the promise when “the captain of the host of the LORD” told Joshua that he was on holy ground. Part of the Mosaic Covenant is also here in the protection clause God gave, that if His people followed Him they would be protected.

J =At the end of this chapter we get a “Christophany” which is a preincarnate appearance of Jesus. We know this because Joshua bowed down (which they do not do with mere angels) and the physical appearance of the LORD is always going to be the second person of the Godhead = Jesus.

Leader Focus Questions for summary discussion:

1. Why were the surrounding people afraid of the Israelites?
2. Why did Joshua have the men circumcised before going into Jericho (what is the history behind this – see Genesis Chapter 17)?
3. Discuss who the “captain of the host of the LORD” might be.
4. Going Deeper/Advanced: Are there any Covenants in view in this chapter? Is there a picture of Jesus in this chapter?
5. Advanced Extra: What is the significance of Gilgal?

Chapter 6:  The Conquest of Jericho

In this chapter we read about the Israelites first conquest in the Promised Land – Jericho. God had them spend seven days marching around the city in silence, and on the seventh day they marched not once around the city, but seven times, and then they gave a shout and the walls fell down flat. The people were given specific directions about what they could take and what was banned and the rest was to be destroyed and burned down. They also honored Rahab and her family by sparing them and she lived in the midst of Israel after that time. Joshua also gave a curse (prophecy) on the rebuilding of the city that the person who would do that would lose two sons.

C = This began the claiming of the Promised Land as part of the Abrahamic Covenant. The people were also protected in this campaign by God (Mosaic) by following all of His commands.

J = Rahab is an example of a gentile who believed and followed the one true God. She, and her family was spared, and we find Rahab in the direct lineage of Jesus as the great, great, great grandmother of King David (see Matthew 1:5-6).

Prophecy = In verses 26-27 there is a specific prophecy by Joshua that is fulfilled later in the Old Testament (1 Kings 16:34) when a man, Hiel, rebuilt Jericho and consequently lost his oldest and youngest sons.

Archeology = Today archeology has uncovered the city of Jericho, and they have found that the walls fell exactly as narrated in the book of Joshua. They have also found artifacts and evidence of burnt possessions and grain that complement the narrative in Joshua and the period of time that it occurred.

Leader Focus Questions for summary discussion:

1. What did God tell Joshua to have the people do in order to capture Jericho?
2. Who was Rahab and why was she and her family spared (review chapter 2 discussion about Rahab)? Read Matthew chapter 1:1-6 to see where Rahab fits in the genealogy of Jesus.
3. Going Deeper/Advanced: Are there any Covenants in view in this chapter? Is there a picture of Jesus in this chapter?
4. Advanced Extra: What prophecy do we see in this chapter and when is it fulfilled (cross-reference by reading 1 Kings 16:34)? Extra, Extra: What is the significance of the number seven in the Bible?

Chapter 7: Israel is defeated at Ai; The Sin of Achan

In this chapter, we see the consequence of sin within the Nation of Israel. When Joshua sent a small group of men to attack the smaller city of Ai, the Israelites were soundly defeated, and Joshua and the people became distraught and fearful. Upon going to the LORD in complete humility and prayer, Joshua learned that there had been sin within the camp of Israel, someone had not followed God’s Covenant and His commands concerning the spoil from Jericho. God then gave specific instruction for the death penalty to be enacted on the guilty party(s) and Joshua followed all that the LORD had said.

Specific verses that show where Israel had not followed God and His Covenant command to be protected: Verses 11, 12, 15, 20.

C = We specifically see the result of the sin of Israel because of Achan, and the consequence in the loss of protection by God under the Mosaic Covenant. This affected not only Achan, but the whole Nation of Israel. Joshua went to the LORD and the LORD gave him direction in ridding the Israelites of the sin (specifically the sinner and his family who were co-conspirators).

J = Joshua is a picture of Jesus in that he acts as an intercessor between the people and God, just as Moses had done.

Note: In the Old Testament the punishment for sin against God was severe. God does not look lightly on sin because He is a Holy God. The ultimate penalty for all of us is death because of our sin, but for Jesus. The Old Testament Law shows us the seriousness, and consequences of sin that we know no one can perfectly keep. We all would be under the consequence of death if not for Jesus, and the Law and these examples teach us that.

Leader Focus Questions for summary discussion:

1. What was Achan’s sin and how did it affect the entire Nation of Israel?
2. Discuss the seriousness of sin in God’s eyes, the importance of Jesus, and how our decision about Him affects our eternal life.
3. Going Deeper/Advanced: Are there any Covenants in view in this chapter? Is there a picture of Jesus in this chapter?

Chapter 8: The Conquest of Ai

Now that the sin in Israel had been eradicated, they were able to go in and destroy Ai as they had done with Jericho. Joshua shows his strategic abilities as a military leader by tricking the people of Ai in thinking they came up and then went into retreat, but in reality, were set up to attack behind them, both in Ai and in Bethel. After their victory Joshua set up an altar to the LORD and offered sacrifices there according to the Law of Moses and he renewed their vow to follow God’s Law with the people.

C = Joshua renewed the Mosaic Covenant with the people, and he read all the blessings and curses according to the Law so that they, their children and foreigners amongst them would know what God expected and required of them moving forward.

J = Joshua continues to be a picture of Jesus as he shows his commitment to the LORD and his intercessory prayer and leadership for the people.

Leader Focus Questions for summary discussion:

1. What was different this time when Israel went to attack the city of Ai, and why?
2. What did Joshua do to demonstrate a special kind of leadership in this campaign against Ai and Bethel?
3. Going Deeper/Advanced: Are there any Covenants in view in this chapter? Is there a picture of Jesus in this chapter?