Sunday School Lesson on Joshua

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Sunday School Lesson on Joshua

Introduction

A. Seeing the Potential

A very ordinary, jagged piece of marble mayseem as nothing in the eyes of the average per-son. It can, however, become an elaborate, de-tailed statue when shaped by the hands of anexperienced sculptor. A rough-hewn block ofwood may seem fit only to be burned. However,it can be carved into a thing of polished beautyby a master craftsman.

A conscientious teacher or youth worker can-not look at a group of students as immature and time-consuming. For there may be one or morein that group who, with careful teaching, can be-come great leaders for God anti humankind. Aslave people in a foreign land may appear to benothing, but they may be chosen by the God ofHeaven and earth to receive a special covenant.Despite their many failures in being faithful, inthe fullness of time that nation can have the Sonof God as one of its offspring—the long-awaitedMessiah who offers salvation to all.

The potential within each person obviously isdifferent. If, however, each person's resolve tofulfill his or her potential is combined withGod's discipline and love, that potential can berealized.

B. Lesson Background

The biblical accounts are usually interpretedto show that the Israelites spent 11 months and20 days at Sinai, from the first day of the thirdmonth (Exodus 19:1) to the twentieth day of thesecond month of the second year (Numbers10:11). At that time the cloud lifted from thetabernacle, and the journey to Canaan continued.While at Sinai. other details of the law weregiven. The Israelites were instructed how tobuild the tabernacle, and it was constructed ac-cording to the pattern given. The incident of thegolden calf (Exodus 32) was a sobering eventduring Moses' 40 days on the mount. The intrica-cies of the sacrificial system and the priesthoodare given in the book of Leviticus. Numbers 1:3tells of a military census of all men who were age20 and older. The total was 603,550 (2:32).As the nation of Israel approached Canaan, 12spies were sent into the land. Ten of the spiesbrought back a negative message of fear, andthey prevailed over the minority report of Caleband Joshua (Numbers 13). The punishment wasannounced by the Lord: the people were tospend a total of 40 years as shepherds in thedesert (one year for each day the spies weregone: 14:33, 34); all the men of war except Caleband Joshua were to perish in the wilderness(14:38). This means that 603,548 did not reachCanaan. That is an average of more than 40deaths per day if we count only men age 20 andover!

The Israelites ultimately were successful inconquering the lands east of the Jordan. Two andone-half tribes were granted permission to settleon that side. Moses died at the age of 120, andthe leadership fell to Joshua.

The miraculous crossing of the Jordan when itwas in flood stage validated Joshua's role as thenew leader (Joshua 3). The conquest of Jericho was offset in part by a temporary reversal at Ai(Joshua 7:3-5), the second city to be conquered.The victories continued in the central cities ofCanaan (including the miracle of the long day asgiven in Joshua 10), southern Canaan, and thenagainst the northern coalition. These primary bat-tles consumed several years, ending in approxi-mately 1400 BC. The land was divided among theremaining nine and one-half tribes. Cities wereassigned for the Levites, with six of the cities des-ignated as cities of refuge (Joshua 20).

Each of the last two chapters of the book ofJoshua depicts national gatherings for covenantrenewal. It is the second such event that is thebackground for today's lesson. There are nochronological references for these events. Theyare often assumed to be as early as 1390 BC butprobably are later.

I. Convocation(Joshua 24:1)

In one sense you cannot go back to where special events took place in the past and expect tofind things as they were. Even so, there is valuein returning—not to try to "live in the past," butjust to reminisce and to walk among the monu-ments of memories. To visit again the placewhere a person was baptized or married, or otherlocations of special interest, can produce a nos-talgia that is good for the soul.
The last major event in the book of Joshuatakes place in a special location. It has specialmeaning to those assembled, for it producesmemories of their spiritual heritage.

1. And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israelto Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel,and for their heads, and for their judges, and fortheir officers; and they presented themselvesbefore God.
Two things prompt Joshua to gather the prin-cipal persons of all the tribes of Israel. First, asindicated in Joshua 23:1, his advanced agemoves him to request that the nation again expe-rience a formal covenant renewal. In this actionhe has the example set by Moses. Moses, just be-fore his death, called the nation together torenew the covenant (Deuteronomy 29-34).Second, Joshua is fully aware that this nationneeds to be reminded again of its special rela-tionship to God. Moses had commanded that thelaw be read to the nation every seven years (Deu-teronomy 31:10-14). It is possible that this occa-sion is one of the fulfillments of Moses'command. A commitment on a national scopeshould be followed by continued and regular in-struction in each community and home.

The first verse of the chapter specifies thatShechem is the location where Joshua chooses tohave this ceremony. Since Joshua's hometown isTimnath-heres (same as Timnath-serah: Joshua19:49, 50: Judges 2:9), his selection requires hintto make a full day's journey to the northwest.Shechem is an appropriate site for several rea-sons. First, it is the first place in Canaan whereAbraham built an altar to the Lord. It is here thatthe promise of this land was made for Abraham'sdescendants (Genesis 12:6, 7). It may be assumedthat since Joshua had been commanded by Godto meditate on the law (Joshua 1:8), that Joshuawas fully aware of this historical background.Second. a part of the heritage of Israel is thatJacob also built an altar at Shechem upon his re-turn to the land with his family (Genesis 33:18-20). When Jacob left Shechem, he led his familyin a spiritual housecleaning. This rededicationinvolved burying all the accumulated householdgods (Genesis 35:2, 4).

Third, this is the place where Joseph's bonesare buried (Joshua 24:32). Joshua is of the tribe ofEphraim (1 Chronicles 7:20-27), so Joseph (Ephra-im's father) is an ancestor. Joseph's exemplary lifecould be cited for anyone who comes to Shechem.Fourth, Joshua had assembled the entire na-tion in this vicinity immediately after conqueringJericho and Ai. Joshua 8:30-35 records that thenation divided itself into two groups in accordwith the command that Moses had given towardthe end of his life (Deuteronomy 27:12, 13). Onegroup stood on Mount Ebal and responded with"Amen" when the curses of the covenant were read, and the other group stood on Mount Ger-izim and answered in the same way when theblessings were read.
The town of Shechem is immediately to thewest of the pass between the two mountains. Tobe at this site again undoubtedly brings backmany memories to the older leaders. It is veryprobable that the plastered stones, with the lawwritten on them, are still visible as reminders ofthat earlier occasion (Deuteronomy 27:2, 3:Joshua 8:30-32). The large altar of uncut stonesthat Joshua had erected on Mount Ebal was apart of the earlier covenant renewal ceremony. Itmay be assumed that it is still in place at the oc-casion before us.

THE NECESSITY OF GODLY LEADERS

In the mid-nineteenth century, EuropeanChristians were awakening in their faith. Thenatural result was a desire to spread the gospelof Christ around the world. Dutch and Germanmissionaries worked to gain access to the tribesof Indonesia. The first missionaries were re-jected and many were killed. By the 1860s only50 members of the Batak tribe had becomeChristians.

But then the missionaries, led by LudwigNornmensen (1834-1918), turned their focus toreaching the tribal leaders in an attempt to createa church that was culturally Indonesian ratherthan European. The church mushroomed. By1911 the number of converts had reached morethan 100,000. Over the next half-century, ever-larger numbers of Western missionaries workedto create indigenous churches in Indonesia andother countries. The result is astounding: todaythere are more Christians in the developing na-tions than in the Western world.

When Joshua gave his final exhortation to Is-rael, he used this principle of focusing on theleaders. He challenged Israel's tribal leaders to befaithful to God. He knew that without godly lead-ers the nation would be lost. This principlewould be proven true numerous times in Israel'shistory over the next few hundred years. Theprinciple is still valid today. Seldom do peoplerise above their leaders.

II. Choices(Joshua 24:14-18)

There is a dramatic change in the emphasisbetween the first part of the book of Joshua andthese final chapters. The early chapters of thebook stress the faithfulness of God in helping Israel to conquer Canaan (Joshua 1:9; 3:10: 4:23,24). In the last chapters the continued faithful-ness of the people is emphasized (Joshua 23:6-8).To express faithfulness and thankfulness is onething; to live it is much more demanding.

A. Proposals by Joshua (vv. 14, 15)

14.Now therefore fear the LORD, and servehim in sincerity and in truth; and put away thegods which your fathers served on the other sideof the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.The historical review like the one in Joshua24:2-13 (not in today's text) is a standard part ofthe covenants of the second millennium at. Fol-lowing that review, Joshua note begins to assertthe foundational requirements that the Lord ex-pects to receive from His covenant nation: thepeople are to fear and to serve Him.

Jesus makes a similar statement in Matthew10:28. It is more logical to worship the creator in-stead of what He created (compare Romans 1:25).That is why the Israelites are to put away thegods which your fathers served on the other sideof the flood, and in Egypt.

That second pat of Joshua's statement is in-triguing. After experiencing all the mighty mira-cles of God, does this covenant nation still haveidols in its midst? The text makes it very clearthat they did—both in Egypt and also over the700 years prior to that time when Abraham andhis family crossed the Euphrates River (calledflood, here and in VV. 2. 15).

This command by Joshua to give up their idol-atry is similar to Jacob's command in Genesis35:2. The people of Israel seem to maintain a fas-cination for idolatry until after the Babylonianexile in 586 sc. It will take a 70-year captivity be-fore they are more or less cured of this spiritualweakness.
15.And if it seem evil unto you to serve theLORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve;whether the gods which your fathers served thatwere on the other side of the flood, or the godsof the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but asfor me and my house, we will serve the LORD.This is considered one of the greatest verses inthe entire book. It presents the choice in vividlanguage. The Israelites must choose whom theywill serve: the gods that some of their ancestorsworshiped before Abraham entered Canaan, orthe gods of the Amorites where they now live, orthe Lord!

Joshua boldly announces his own decision. AsJoshua looks hack over his life, this choice is theonly one that makes sense. He is able to recall the many miracles that he has witnessed—from theplagues in Egypt to the battle of the long day. InJoshua 23:14 he states that not one promise of theLord has failed. With these things in his mind, hecan make what is now that famous declaration: asfor me and my house, we will serve the Lord.Many Christian homes have this saying posted ona wall in the form of an embroidery, etc.
B. Preference of the People (vv. 16-18)

16. And the people answered and said, Godforbid that we should forsake the LoRn, to serveother gods.
Prompted by the power of Joshua's reason andexample, the people are moved to make the samechoice. At this moment it is preposterous tothink of serving other gods.

17, 18. For the Lotto our God, he it is thatbrought us up and our fathers out of the land ofEgypt, from the house of bondage, and whichdid those great signs in our sight, and preservedus in all the way wherein we went, and amongall the people through whom we passed: andthe LORD drave out from before us all the peo-ple, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land:therefore will we also serve the Lone; for he isour God.
Sometimes the choices of the past are conve-niently ignored when tough decisions are made.This time the vigorous, vibrant review of the na-tion's history (vv. 2-13) moves the Israelite lead-ers to express their own account of days gone by.They are compelled to remember where they hadbeen (in Egypt), where they are now, and what ittook to get there. Faced with this evidence, th,vaffirm again that they will serve the Lord.

III. Challenge(Joshua 24:19-21)

Is the affirmation of verses 17, 18 enough forJoshua? Apparently not!

A. Presentation by Joshua (vv. 19, 20)

19, 20. And Joshua said unto the people, Yecannot serve the Lotto: for he is a holy God; heis a jealous God; he will not forgive your trans-gressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the LORD,and serve strange gods, then he will turn and doyou hurt, and consume you, after that he hathdone you good.
Joshua's reply seems to be out of place, for theaffirmation by the people was certainly the de-sired result—or was it? Do his words Ye cannotserve the Lord simply reflect Joshua's previous
Visual for lesson 4. Ask for a show of hands..Who among your students has this famous pas-sage displayed somewhere in the house?

experiences of this fickle nation? Does he discerna hollow mockery in their affirmation?
Joshua's charge that they are unable to servethe Lord in the long run is based on two reasons.First, the God of Israel is a holy God, and Josh-ua's experiences make him doubt that the Is-raelites are able to be faithful for an extendedperiod of time. Second, the God of Israel is a jeal-ous God. Such a jealousy demands absolute loy-alty. There is to be no spiritual adultery, nogoing after other gods.

B. Priority of the People (v. 21)

21. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; butwe will serve the LoRn.
This reaffirmation by the people produces theresult that Joshua's challenge desires. It alsomakes their priority even stronger in that theycan be reminded in the future of what they havesaid so emphatically. (See question #4. page 40.)

IV. Commitment(Joshua 24:22-24)

Now we come to the climax. Things havereached a fever pitch!

A. Pronouncement by Joshua (v. 22a)

22a. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye arewitnesses against yourselves that ye have cho-sen you the LORD, to serve him.
Joshua reminds the people that their commit-ment to the Lord is quite serious. What theyhave said cannot be taken lightly. They have be-come their own witnesses before God and peoplein their declaration.

B. Proclamation of the People (v. 22b)

22b. And they said, We are witnesses.
In short, pithy statements the dialogue goesback and forth. The people testify to their com-mitment for the third time.

C. Distinctive Reminder (v. 23)

23. Now therefore put away, said he, thestrange gods which are among you, and inclineyour heart unto the Lctttu God of Israel.

Joshua says that the first test of the covenant'srenewal by the Israelites is to discard the strangegods, which they still had. These gods could beitems of value or located in special places of de-votion. Sometimes it costs to serve the Lord, butit costs even more not to serve Hint.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS?

Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) was founded in1935 by a New York stockbroker and an Ohiosurgeon. Both men admitted to having beenhopeless drunks. Their goal was to stay soberthemselves and help others to overcome their ad-diction to alcohol. Today there are over two mil-lion A.A. members in 150 countries.

The success of A.A. has led to the founding ofother "anonymous" groups. These groups are fordrug addicts, compulsive shoppers, overeaters,and even for those who cannot seem to controltheir use of profanity! The literature of these"anonymous" groups often recognizes that thesource of the cure is a Higher Power. That may bea little vague for those of us who think the refer-ence should be specifically to God, yet therein liesthe genius of the whole "anonymous" movement.It would not be far off the mark to state thatJoshua was, in effect, trying to start an "Idolaters Anonymous" movement. He knew the poweridolatry had over Israel; the people seemed inca-pable of helping themselves. He also knew thattrust in God was the only source of a cure. Thesame can be said for any sin that besets us. With-out the intervention of the cross of Christ, our sinproblem can never be finally solved.

D. Definite Rejoinder (v. 24)

24. And the people said unto Joshua, TheLoan our God will we serve, and his voice willwe obey.
For the fourth time the people affirm their in-tention to serve and obey the Lord. I See question#5. page 401 The entire scenario is almost a pre-view of Jesus' challenges to Peter after the resur-rection (John 21:15-19). Joshua 24:25-27 is notpart of the lesson text, but provides the close ofthe covenant's renewal.
Joshua is to Ire admired in calling this assemblyas he tries to instill faith in the generation to fol-low. It is extremely important that this be done. Ifthe second generation sees compromise in the firstgeneration, then the second generation will devi-ate even more. And the third generation, withthese examples, will essentially abandon the faith.

Conclusion

A. Most Favored Nation Status

Until 1998 the phrase Most Favored NationStatus was used to designate nations that re-ceived equal treatment by the U.S. in trading re-lations. The term was discontinued because mostnations were in this category, and it seemed de-ceptive. The newer term is Normal Trade Rela-tions. The nation of Israel, however, definitelywas a nation with a "most favored" status beforeGod. Yet, as has been expressed many times,there, is peril in privilege.

The teaching of the New Testament is similar.The individual who becomes a member of thebody of Christ enjoys the privileges of sins for-given, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the promiseof Heaven. Yet Hebrews 6:4-6 warns about thosewho have enjoyed the privileges of the gospeland then fall away. There is peril in privilege.

B. Prayer

Our God in Heaven, we resolve to study YourWord in order to understand better our obliga-tions to You and to others. In Jesus' name, amen.

C. Thought to Remember

To serve the Lord is costly.Not to serve Him costs even more

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