Heritage Valley Bible Church Weekly Reading and Memorization

This weeks suggested Bible reading and memorization passages are:

• Bible Reading: Joshua 10-17
• Bible Memory: Deuteronomy 10:12-13
• Colossians Memorization Project: Colossians 1:9-14

Enjoy!

Keeping Your Word -- Joshua 9

There is no question that God hates liars (Proverbs 12:22). God cannot lie, and He doesn't want us to either (Titus 1:2; Psalm 51:6). But, what do you do when someone deceives you?

This was the problem the Israelites had in Joshua 9. The Gibeonites deceived them into making a covenant of peace with them. Unfortunately, the Israelites had standing orders from God to destroy all those who lived in the Land, not to make peace agreements with them (Exodus 23:31-33; Deuteronomy 7:1-2).

Eventually, the Israelites discovered they had been had. The question now is what should they do. God had told them to destroy all who lived in the land . But, they had made a covenant of peace; they had given their word.

The Israelites determined that keeping their word was critical (Joshua 9:19). As God's people they could not break their word, they could not break the covenant they had made. They knew that God's people had to be honest and faithful to the agreements they make, even if it hurts (Psalm 15:4).

Is there some promise you have made that is difficult to keep? Do you feel you were deceived when you made it? Honor God and keep your word.

The Cost of Disobedience - Joshua 6-7

Most of the time it is not difficult to determine what God wants us to do. His commands are written in the Bible; they are generally quite clear. The problem is we want to do something different.

Israel had that problem in Joshua 7. God have given them clear instructions that they were not to keep anything for themselves after conquering Jericho (Joshua 6:18-19). But, a man named Achan disobeyed and took some things (Joshua 7:1).

Achan's sin resulted in Israel's defeat at Ai (the next battle). 3,000 men of Israel fled; 36 were killed (Joshua 7:4-5). Achan probably thought his sin was private. No one would know; no one would get hurt. Sin is never private. It always impacts others - our family, our friends, our church, even God's reputation. Achan's sin cost 36 people their lives!

Disobedience carries a high cost, but God is extremely merciful. After revealing Achan's sin, God instructed Joshua how to defeat Ai. Joshua followed the instructions carefully and easily defeated the city. The Bible seems to indicate that not a single Israelite died in the battle (Joshua 8:25).

What a difference obedience makes. So, as you consider God's commands remember Ai -- choose obedience, choose life.

Faith Means Obeying God Even When it Seems Foolish - Joshua 5-6

Often God asks us to do things that seem foolish at the time. But, He is God and we are not. His wisdom is higher than ours and the essence of faith is trusting Him and obeying what He says. In Joshua 5 and 6, the Israelites get a lesson in obeying God, even His seemingly foolish commands.

First, God commands them to circumcise all the men (Joshua 5:2). This is not surprising; it was a standing command for all Israelite males (Genesis 17:10-14); a command the Israelites had not obeyed as they wandered in the wilderness (Joshua 5:5). It is not surprising that God would remind His people of His law. What is surprising is the timing. The Israelites had just crossed the Jordan into the Promised land. They were in hostile territory. Yet, here was God asking the Israelites to do something that would make them unable to fight for a number of days. The Israelites knew the danger. They remembered what Levi and Simeon had done to the city of Shechem (Genesis 34:24-29). But, God had spoken. He required circumcision and obedience is more important than military strategy!

Second, God gave Joshua a very strange battle plan as they approached Jericho (Joshua 6:2-6). Most armies don't conquer cities by marching around the walls (you might get shot) and blowing horns. Yet, that is what God asked the Israelites to do. So they did, and God gave them victory.

Both of these incidents are strange when we stop and think about them. God's instructions seem foolish. Yet, they were God's instructions. They needed to be obeyed regardless of what Joshua and the Israelites thought. That is what faith is; that is what faith does.

God rewarded their faith. During the days of healing after the circumcisions, He protected the army. He made sure that the Canaanites did not attack (Joshua 5:1). He also allowed the Israelites to conquer Jericho, not by arms but by believing God's Word.

How about you? Is there some command of God that you are avoiding because it seems foolish? Today is the day to obey. Commit yourself to God and step out in faith.

Big Shoes to Fill -- Joshua 1

Joshua had one of the most difficult tasks imaginable - he had to replace Moses as Israel's leader and lead them into God's promised land. Talk about filling big shoes!

God knew this would be difficult. Joshua might have doubts. So he issues a repeated command "Be strong and courageous." Easy to say, hard to do. But God also gave Joshua some great encouragements.

• God would be with Joshua (Joshua 1:5, 9).
• Joshua would succeed (Joshua 1:6)
• If Joshua carefully obeyed the law and meditated on it regularly, he would be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:9)
• Even the people encouraged Joshua and pledged to follow his leadership (Joshua 1:16-19)

You are not Joshua, but you have similar promises (Matthew 28:18, Psalm 1). When you have big shoes to fill, a big job to do, or you just aren't sure you can do what God asks; remember, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)