Character Studies

Lesson 11

JOSHUA

Then He inaugurated Joshua the son of Nun, and said, "Be strong and of good courage; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land of which I swore to them, and I will be with you."  (Deut. 31:23)

Text: Numbers 13-14; 27:12-23; Joshua
Name: "Jehovah is salvation"
Place: Wilderness of Sinai, Canaan (the Promised Land)
Occupation: Military commander and Leader of Israel
References: Exod. 17:9-14; Num. 32:11-12; Deut. 31; 34:9; Josh. 1:1-9; 24:15

JOSHUA'S BACKGROUND
Exodus 17:9-14; 24:13; 32:17-18; 33:11; Numbers 13:8, 16
· Son of Nun, tribe of Ephraim
· A slave in Egypt
· His name changed by Moses from "Hoshea" to "Joshua"
· Military commander
· Assistant and successor to Moses
· One of the 12 spies sent into Canaan

JOSHUA'S FAITH
Exodus 17:8-14; 32:17-18; 33:11; Numbers 14:6-10; Joshua 1:1-9
· Against the Amalekites
· As assistant to Moses (Exod. 24:13)
· With sin in the camp (Exod. 32:17-18)
· As one of the 12 spies
· When ordained by God to lead Israel
· In battle against the enemies of God's people
· At the end of his life

JOSHUA'S LEADERSHIP
Exodus 17:8-14; 24:13; Numbers 14:6-10; 27:12-23; Deuteronomy 31:7-23
· Good preparation and godly encouragement (Deut. 1:37-38; 3:28)
· A man of faith (Num. 14:6-10)
· A worshipper of God (Exod. 33:11)
· It was established by God (Num. 27:12-23)
· He sought God's help (Num. 27:21; cf. Josh. 7:6-9)
· The confidence of the people (Deut. 34:9; Josh. 4:14; 24:31)
· Courage (Josh. 1:2-9; 5:13-15; 24:14-15)
· He challenged the people to greater faithfulness (Josh. 23; 24:16-25)

JOSHUA'S CONQUESTS
Exodus 17:8-14; Numbers 33:50-56; book of Joshua
· In the wilderness of Sinai
· East of the Jordan River
· The land of Canaan
· The division of the land

JOSHUA'S FAREWELL
Joshua 23-24

LESSONS FOR US
· God blesses those who are faithful.
· Obedient faith is saving faith.
· God's leaders are to trust in the Lord.
· God's leaders are to be respected.
· The victory of faith.
· Divine retribution against sin.

QUESTIONS
1. What king did Joshua defeat when Israel was coming out of Egypt? Describe what happened and God's judgment against this nation. (Exod. 17:8-14; Deut. 25:17-19)

2. Describe the official ceremony which was held in Numbers 27:12-13. Why was it held?

3. What was the Lord's instructions to Joshua after the death of Moses? (Josh. 1:1-9)

4. Describe how Israel crossed the Jordan River, and what they did. (Josh. 3-5)

5. Who was Rahab? How did she show faith in God? (Josh. 2; 6:22-25; Heb. 11:31; James 2:25)

6. Why did the walls of Jericho fall? (Josh. 6; Heb. 11:30)

7. What happened at Ai? Why? What was the solution? (Josh. 7)

8. What did the Gibeonites do? (Josh. 9)

9. Why did the sun stand still? (Josh. 10:1-15)

10. Describe the military strategy used by Joshua to conquer Canaan. Were all the peoples driven out of the land? (Josh. 10-13)

11. What were the cities of refuge? Where were they located? (Josh. 20)

12. How much of Canaan was possessed by Israel? (Josh. 21:43-45; 23:14-16)

13. How long did Joshua's life and work influence Israel? (Josh. 24:31)