Manna - American Baptist Association

Transcription

ADULT
Lesson Commentary
Fall Quarter, 2012
Written by Larry Crouch, David Butimore and James Crain
CONTENTS
EDITOR IN CHIEF:
Editor’s Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Larry E. Clements
larryclements@bogardpress.org
About the Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
BUSINESS MANAGER:
Introduction to the Book of Joshua. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Wayne Sewell
wsewell@bogardpress.org
Lesson 1
PRODUCTION EDITOR:
Sally McInvale
Lesson 2
Lesson 3
Lesson 4
ILLUSTRATOR:
Connie Spears
LAYOUT DESIGNERS:
Kyle Elkins,
Cindy Butler
Ashley Elkins
CONTENT EDITORS:
Terry McKellar,
Carolyn Burks,
Deby Turrentine,
Joni Curtis
PRINT PRODUCTION:
Charles Easley
COVER DESIGN:
Jeff Allen
Lesson 5
Bogard Press
4605 N. State Line Ave.
Texarkana, TX 75503-2928
www.bogardpress.org
1-800-264-2482
Achan—Causing Confusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Joshua 7—10
Lesson 6
Caleb—Fully Following God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Joshua 11—22
Lesson 7
Joshua—Warning Future Generations. . . . . . . . . 64
Joshua 23; 24
Introduction to the Book of Judges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Lesson 8
Judges—Delivering God’s People. . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Judges 1—5
Lesson 9
Gideon—Defeating the Midianites . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Judges 6—12
Lesson 10
Samson—Overcoming the Philistines . . . . . . . . . 96
Judges 13—16
Lesson 11
Micah—Desecrating the Worship . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Judges 17—21
Copyright © 2012
Vol. 13, No. 2
Captain of the Host—Conquering Jericho . . . . . 35
Joshua 5; 6
GRAPHIC ARTISTS:
Shawn Blase, Jeff Allen,
Greg Hilterbrand,
Ashley Carozza,
Blake Tilton
Priests—Leading by Faith. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Joshua 3; 4
CHILDREN’S EDITOR:
Libby Gill
Rahab—Trusting God’s Salvation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Joshua 2
ADULT EDITOR:
Jim Jones
Joshua—Guiding the Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Joshua 1
Introduction to the Book of Ruth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Lesson 12
Ruth—Devoted to Duty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Ruth 1; 2
Lesson 13
Ruth—Rewarded for Faithfulness . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Ruth 3; 4
Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Editor’s Note
Some people think the Old Testament is full of ancient, antiquated truth that has no
relevance today. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Old Testament contains
God’s inspired record of people, places and events that mold, affect and shape the world,
as we know it. The apostle Paul reminded the Corinthian church of the value of knowing
Old Testament truth when he wrote, “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we
should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some
of them” (1 Corinthians 10:6, 7). Commands that begin with the correlative conjunction,
neither, are then repeated four times followed by this summary—“Now all these things
happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom
the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest
he fall” (verses 11, 12). Great lessons, commands and illustrations inhabit every book of
the Old Testament, and we will be wise, blessed and protected by studying its pages.
The subjects of study this quarter are three great Old Testament books—Joshua,
Judges and Ruth. Times were difficult during the days these books were written. It was
a time of great transition, hence, the title, “The People of God in Turbulent Times.” The
book of Joshua records how God’s people were led to victory and the land subsequently
divided. The book of Judges documents how the whole nation fell headlong into idolatry,
dissension and moral bankruptcy. The little book of Ruth supplies a refreshing respite with
the biographical sketch of tragedy and triumph by a family in the lineage of King David
and the Lord Jesus.
Joshua, Rahab, the Priests, the Captain of the Host, Achan and Caleb are the six subjects
to be examined in the study of the book of Joshua. Judges, Gideon, Samson and Micah will
be the focus of attention in the study of the book of Judges. The tragic, yet triumphant life
of Ruth, the Moabitess, is the theme of two lessons from the book carrying her name.
This Adult Lesson Commentary is for teacher and student alike as a helpful companion
to the Adult Quarterly. It is not intended to be an exhaustive verse-by-verse commentary,
but an examination of the Scripture passages designated for each week’s study. Information
and insight gleaned from its pages may enrich both the Sunday School class and the
individual life as well. Every lesson consists of three elements: the narrative explains the
Scripture passage; the manna is a discussion of interesting and informative topics related
to the Scripture passage; and the word studies are based on specific words from the original
language used in the Scripture text. Special thanks to Larry Crouch who wrote the lesson
narratives, James Crain who did the word studies and David Butimore who prepared the
mannas. Thank you!
Larry E. Clements, Editor in Chief of Publications
Baptist Sunday School Committee
About the Writers
Recognized for their knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the Holy
Scriptures, the writers of the Adult Lesson Commentary are faithful pastors,
teachers and spiritual leaders among the Lord’s churches. Following are a few
biographical notes about these men.
Brother Larry Crouch is a writer of the Adult Lesson
Commentary. He was born in Toulumne, California,
in 1942, saved and baptized by the Friendship
Missionary Baptist Church in Sacremento, Californi,
in 1952. He surrendered to preach on August 4, 1957,
at the Bayshore Missionary Baptist Church in Vallejo,
California. The Landmark Missionary Baptist Church
in South Gate, California, ordained him in May of 1963.
He has pastored in Washington and California.
He received his Bachelor of Theology Degree from
California Missionary Baptist Institute in Bellflower,
California, and his Master and Doctorate of Theology degrees from Fresno
Missionary Baptist Institute, Fresno, California.
The school in Fresno also conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of
Divinity in 1998. He is a member of the California and the American Baptist
Association History and Archives Committees. He has taught Prison Epistles,
Hermeneutics and Journalism. He is currently teaching Systematic Theology,
Church History, Major and Minor Prophets and the Pentateuch at the Seminary
in Fresno.
He is the pastor of Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Oakhurst,
California. Their mailing address is PO Box 3826, Oakhurst, California,
93644. Brother and Sister Crouch have been blessed with three children and
six grandchildren. The oldest son, Lance, lives in Tennessee and writes and
sings gospel music. Kari and her family are members of the Missionary Baptist
Church in Antioch, California. The youngest son, Zachary, is the youth minister
at the Missionary Baptist Church in Ceres, California.
Brother David Butimore, Sr. was born in January,
1951 in Lynwood, California. He graduated from
Westminster High School (Westminster, California) in
1969. He attended and graduated (AA degree) from
Orange Coast College in 1972. He was saved August
20, 1970, at a Missionary Baptist Encampment in
Northern California. He was baptized by the authority
of Community MBC, Orange, California. He attended
California Missionary Baptist Institute and Seminary
(CMBI) and graduated with a Doctor of Theology in 1990. He was ordained
by the authority of Olive Hill MBC, Oroville, California (1975), and has held
pastorates in California and Washington. He is currently the pastor of First
MBC, Fresno. He served as faculty member and administrator of CMBI
(1987-1993) and is currently President of Fresno Missionary Baptist Institute
and Seminary. In the California Association, he has served as moderator,
music director and parliamentarian. He has served in the Washington
Association as moderator. He has served as Music Director, Assistant
Parliamentarian, Parliamentarian, Vice President and President of the
American Baptist Association. He is currently serving on the Baptist Sunday
School Committee and is Treasurer of the American Baptist Association of
Theological Schools. He is the author of six books. He has been married to
his wife, Debby, since 1977, and has two sons, a daughter and son-in-law and
one grandson.
Brother James “Jim” A. Crain was born in Longview,
Texas, and reared near McNeil, Arkansas. He was saved
at the age of sixteen. He served in the military during
the Vietnam conflict. He was baptized and licensed
to preach by Mount Zion MBC of Cale, Arkansas, in
1972. He received Bachelor, Master and Doctor of
Theology degrees from the Louisiana Missionary
Baptist Institute and Seminary, where he serves as
an instructor. Since beginning writing in 1983, he has
written in the Missionary Baptist News, Baptist Sunday School Committee
publications and various other publications. He has twice served as a local
missionary. He presently pastors the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in
Minden, Louisiana. Beverly, his wife, is the daughter of a Baptist minister and
a native of Texas. They have two children and grandchildren.
The Book of Joshua
Introduction
The book of Joshua was written by Joshua with the exception of Joshua
24:29-33, which records his death. Joshua was the spirit-filled successor of
Moses (Num. 27:18-23; Deut. 31:7-13). Joshua dominates the scene throughtout
the book. He learned early in life that victory depended on God’s power (Ex.
17:8-13). He wrote the book from an eyewitness point of view. There are some
educators who believe that Joshua did not write the last few verses of chapter
24. They believe that Eleazar, the third son of Aaron and Phinehas, his son,
wrote the last five or six verses after Joshua’s death.
Joshua’s given name was Oshea, (Hoshea), which means, “deliverer or
salvation.” Moses changed his name to Joshua (Yehoshua), which means
“Jehovah is salvation” (Num. 13:16). In Greek, the name became Yesous,
spelled “Jesus” in English (Matt. 1:21). Joshua led Israel, in a limited way, into
the Promised Land and God’s “rest” (Joshua 11:23; 21:44), as Jesus will do in
a perfect and complete way (Heb. 4:8-10). Joshua provided Israel with their
inheritance (Joshua 11:16-19; 14:13-15), and so the inheritance of the child of
God is provided through Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:17; Eph. 1:1). Joshua interceded
for Israel when they sinned (Joshua 7:6-9), as Jesus does for us when we sin
(Heb. 7:25; 1 John 2:1).
The book of Joshua covers the time from the crossing of the Jordan River
until the death of Joshua. The conquest started about 1451 BC (Deut. 1:8),
and lasted for about seven years. Joshua died at the age of 110 about 1421 BC
(Joshua 24:29).
The theme of the book of Joshua is that the Lord gave the Promised Land
to Israel as a show of His faithfulness, power and justice (Joshua 21:43-45).
Theological liberals assert that God commanded Joshua and the people of
Israel to kill innocent people when they were directed to destroy the Canaanites
(Deut. 20:17). The Canaanites were not innocent (Deut. 12:29). God did not
want Israel defiled by the Canaanites wickedness (verses 30, 31; 20:18). God
graciously waited over four hundred years before executing His judgment upon
their unrighteousness (Gen. 15:13-16; Lev. 18:20-25; 2 Peter 3:9). The people of
Israel were used by God to purge the land (Deut. 9:4, 5). The whole world will
be purged at the coming day of the Lord (Acts 17:31; 2 Peter 3:12, 13).
I. PREPARING TO ENTER THE PROMISED LAND (Joshua 1—5).
A.Joshua assumes leadership and receives the divine commission (Joshua 1:1-9).
B.Orders given to cross over Jordan (verses 10-18).
C. Spies sent to Jericho and Rahab, the harlot, protects them (Joshua 2:1-24).
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D.Israel crosses the Jordan miraculously on dry ground at flood stage (Joshua 3:1-17).
E.Twelve memorial stones erected at Gilgal as a testimony to God (Joshua 4:1-24).
F. The second generation was circumcised, and the Passover was kept (Joshua 5:1-15).
II.THE MAJOR CAMPAIGNS IN THE CONQUEST (Joshua 6—12).
A.The conquest of Jericho (Joshua 6:1-27).
1.Seven priests with rams’ horns before the ark of the covenant led the way.
2.On the seventh day they marched around the city seven times, the priests blew the trumpets, the people shouted and God brought the walls down flat.
3.The house of Rahab and all those in it were spared. Rahab married Salmon and was the mother of Boaz, who married Ruth.
B.The conquest of Ai (Joshua 7—8).
1.The failure because of Achan’s sin (Joshua 7:1-26).
2.The victory at Ai came only after Israel dealt with the sin (Joshua 8:1-29).
C.Joshua renews the covenant and builds an altar at Mount Ebal (verses 30-35).
D.The Gibeonites deceive Israel and make a treaty (Joshua 9:1-27).
1.Compromise was not a part of God’s plan (Ex. 23:32; Deut. 7:2).
2.Saul attempted to destroy the Gibeonites (2 Sam. 21:1-9).
3.A Gibeonite was the leader of David’s thirty mighty men (1 Chron. 12:4).
4.The Tabernacle for a season was at Gibeon (1 Chron. 21:29).
5.The Gibeonites returned with Israel and helped rebuild Jerusalem (Neh. 3:7).
E.The southern campaign (Joshua 10:1-43). The sun stood still in the valley of Ajalon so the enemy could be defeated (verses 12-14).
F. The northern campaign (Joshua 11:1-15).
G.Conquest of the land summarized and thirty-one kings are named (Joshua 11:16—12:24).
III. THE LAND DIVIDED (Joshua 13—21).
A.Joshua’s instructions came from Jehovah (Joshua 13:1-7). Seven years of battle had not driven out all of the Canaanites, but Joshua was to divide the land by lots.
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B.Allotments to Reuben, Gad and Manasseh at Gilgal on the east side of Jordan (Joshua 13:8—14:5).
C.Caleb, although eighty-five years old, asked for Hebron as his inheritance. This was the city of the giants who were the sons of Anak (verses 6-15).
D.Judah given its allotment (Joshua 15:1-63).
E.Allotments given to Ephraim and Manasseh (Joshua 16:1—17:18).
F. Allotments given to the rest of the western tribes at Shiloh (Joshua 18:1—19:48).
1.Joshua charged them and the land was surveyed (Joshua 18:1-10).
2.Benjamin’s lot (verses 11-19).
3.Simeon’s lot (Joshua 19:1-9).
4.Zebulun’s lot (verses 10-16).
5.Issachar’s lot (verses 17-23).
6.Asher’s lot (verses 24-31).
7.Naphtali’s lot (verses 32-39).
8.Dan’s lot (verses 40-48).
G.The allotments finished, Joshua received a special inheritance (verses 49-51).
H.The Levitical allotment of the six cities of refuge (Joshua 20:1-9).
I. The Levites total allotment of 48 cities with their suburbs (Joshua 21:1-
42).
J. The Lord’s faithfulness (verses 43-45).
IV. PRESERVING UNITY (Joshua 22:1-34).
A.The eastern tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh commended and allowed to return to their inheritance (verses 1-9).
B.Dispute over the great altar by the Jordan (verses 10-29).
C. Phinehas, the priest, and the rulers restored unity and called the altar Ed
meaning “witness” (verses 30-34).
V.JOSHUA’S FINAL MESSAGE AND HIS DEATH (Joshua 23—24).
A.Warnings against marital entanglement and the need to love the Lord (Joshua 23:1-16).
B.Warnings against apostasy and the need to serve the Lord (Joshua 24:1-
28).
C.Three burials in the Promised Land.
1.Joshua’s death and burial—Israel’s faithful service (verses 29-31).
2.The bones of Joseph laid to rest at Shechem (verse 32).
3.Eleazar, the son of Aaron, was buried at Mount Ephraim (verse 33).
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Lesson 1
For Sunday, September 2, 2012
Joshua—
Guiding the Nation
Joshua 1
Joshua was born in Egyptian slavery. His name originally was Oshea meaning
“salvation.” Moses changed his name to Jehoshua (Joshua) meaning “Jehovah
is salvation.” “These are the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out
the land. And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua” (Num. 13:16).
The name in Hebrew means “to be free, to be safe, defend, preserve and bring
salvation.” The Greek form of this
name in the New Testament is
the name Jesus. The Angel of the
Lord announced to Joseph, “Thou
Joshua’s Track Record with Moses
shalt call his name JESUS: for he
(Exodus 24:13): In the narrative of the
Israelites’ wilderness journey, we find
shall save his people from their
one of the first examples of leadership
sins” (Matt. 1:21).
mentoring. Moses was the clear and
About two months after the
undisputed leader of the nation in
Exodus from Egypt, Joshua
their exodus from Egypt on their way
was appointed commander of
to the Promised Land. He was called
by the Lord for that specific purpose.
Israel’s army. He led a successful
Due to later circumstances which
campaign against the Amalekites.
only God foresaw, Moses would not
“And Moses said unto Joshua,
complete the assigned task he had
Choose us out men, and go out,
been given. He was disobedient to the
fight with Amalek: to morrow I
will of Jehovah and, as a consequence,
was not permitted to enter Canaan. In
will stand on the top of the hill
the perfect mind of God, He brought
with the rod of God in mine hand.
Joshua into the life of Moses knowing
And Joshua discomfited Amalek
that he would be subservient to Moses
and his people with the edge of
and faithful to Jehovah. When Moses
went to the mountain to receive the
the sword” (Ex. 17:9, 13).
Law of God, Joshua accompanied him.
Joshua was the personal attenThrough Joshua’s consistent and godly
dant of Moses. He accompanied
life, even in the midst of the overall
Moses to Mount Sinai (Ex. 24:13).
sinful condition of the entire nation,
He spent a lot of time in the house
God partnered Joshua with Moses to
provide the necessary transition of
of God (Ex. 33:11). He guarded
leadership.
against any threat to Moses’ leadership (Ex. 32:17). He was the spy
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Joshua—Guiding the Nation / 9
sent into the land of promise from the tribe of Ephraim. His honest report led
to the people threatening to stone him (Num. 14:9, 10).
When Joshua stepped into the position of leadership upon the death of
Moses, he was in his eighties. In spite of his age, God assured Joshua of victory
(Joshua 1:8). His ministry lasted about thirty years, and he died in his one
hundred tenth year (Joshua 24:29). Joshua’s life and ministry was one of
faithfulness to God, Moses and the children of Israel (Num. 27:22, 23).
JOSHUA ACCEPTED THE PURPOSE OF GOD
Joshua 1:1, 2
His greatest challenge came with the death of Moses. “Now after the death of
Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua
the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,
Moses my servant is dead” (Joshua 1:1,
My Servant: the meaning is to
2). Moses was called the “servant of the
labor or work to satisfy the desires
Lord” (verse 1) which was the loftiest
of another. The will of the servant
becomes submissive to the will of
title the Old Testament gave to any man.
the master. Primarily, in this activity,
Joshua was called “Moses’ minister”
the servant sows and the master
(verse 1). This means that Joshua was a
reaps. The word is a designation of
special lieutenant to the servant of the
submission, subjugation and humility.
Lord. Joshua was born a slave and as
The possessive “my” in Joshua 1:2
designates Moses as the servant and
a young man experienced the glorious
God as the One whom he serves.
redemption of the nation of Israel from
Word Study #5650.
Egyptian bondage. He lived through the
wilderness experience and was trained at
the feet and side of Moses. He led the armies of Israel and spied and searched
the Promised Land with the other eleven. He was constantly employed in
important services and the principles of government. Such training made him
the most likely choice to take over the leadership of the nation of Israel when
Moses died at the age of one hundred twenty. Moses was still in good physical
condition. His eyesight was still 20-20 and his “natural force” or “strength” had
not abated. For forty years Moses led Israel in the wilderness journey. Moses
received the Law, collected needed materials and built the Tabernacle, and,
then, God took Moses up on Mount Nebo, allowed him to view the Promised
Land, put him to sleep and buried him in an unmarked grave.
Moses and Joshua show the relationship of the gospel to the Law. Joshua
was Moses’ minister. He was not Moses antagonist, rival or enemy but his
attendant and supporter. The Law and the gospel are not enemies. The Law
was our schoolmaster to bring us to the gospel of Jesus Christ. “Wherefore
the law was our schoolmaster [paidagogos, pahee-dag-o-gos—a boy’s leader,
tutor, instructor] to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster” (Gal. 3:24,
25). Joshua’s ministry complimented and completed the work and ministry of
Moses. Like Joshua, Jesus was born under the Law and came not to destroy it,
but to fulfill, finish or complete it. “But when the fulness of the time was come,
10 / Joshua 1
God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law” (Gal. 4:4). “Think
not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy,
but to fulfil” (Matt. 5:17). It is on the merits of Jesus Christ, the greater Joshua,
and not the works of the Law, to which the sinner must look for salvation. Jesus
Christ both lived and magnified the Law. “And he said unto them, These are the
words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must
be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and
in the psalms, concerning me” (Luke 24:44). Jesus is the author and finisher of
our salvation. “Looking unto Jesus the author [archegos, ar-khay-gos’—a chief,
captain, prince] and finisher [teleiotes, tel-i-ot-es—a completer, perfector] of our
faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb.
12:2). It was Joshua, rather than Moses, who would lead God’s chosen people
across Jordan and into the Promised Land. Neither was there any antagonism
between Moses and Joshua here, but the one continued to augment the other.
Grace was not the Law’s destroyer but its completer or fulfiller. It is under
the blood and grace of Jesus Christ that believers will enter into the land of
promise and not under the Law (Rom. 4:13-16; Heb. 11:39, 40).
In accordance with God’s schedule, it was now time to cross over Jordan.
“Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and
all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of
Israel” (Joshua 1:2). They could have come into the land of promise from the
south at Kadesh-barnea and up past Beer-sheba. However, the fact that Israel
sinned by not believing the report of Caleb and Joshua altered God’s plan and
promise to give them the land. Sin in the camp caused them to wander in the
wilderness for forty years (Num. 14:6-11, 21-24). The Jordan River was at flood
stage when Israel arrived at its banks (Joshua 3:15). Why cross here and now?
Because Israel was to know they were going into the land of promise by the
power of God (Joshua 3:7-10).
JOSHUA HAD FAITH IN THE PROMISES OF GOD
Joshua 1:3-7
The Israelites, by God’s help, had already conquered all the land east of the
Jordan River; now, they were about to invade the land of Canaan. God told
Joshua that He had already given them the land, all of it, every inch where
the sole of his foot touched. “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread
upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses” (Joshua 1:3). All things
are possible to them who believe. “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe,
all things are possible to him that believeth.” (Mark 9:23). Jesus promised, if
we believe we shall receive. “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye
desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
(Mark 11:24). Our triumph comes by faith in Jesus Christ. “Now thanks be
unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest
the savour of his knowledge by us in every place” (2 Cor. 2:14).
Tread: it is to stand or walk on a
thing applying weight or force so
as to affect it. The force may affect
its shape to bend it. The object
becomes submissive and under
the control of the one treading
upon it. The meaning speaks of
a dominion over the thing. God
promised Joshua dominion over
all the land upon which he would
tread. Word Study #1869.
Wilderness: the meaning comes
from the idea of speaking in such
a manner as to command or force
the movement of persons or
animals. The Bible uses the word
to represent the activity of driving
animals, such as, driving a heard of
cattle. In this case, the word points
to the area where the cattle are
driven, and that being a large open
space such as a field, pasture or
desert. It suggests an uninhabited
area. Word Study #4057.
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The Promised Land (Joshua 1:4): After
the death of Moses, the Lord reiterated,
in exacting detail, the geographical
boundaries which He had described
to Moses in Deuteronomy 1:6-8 and
11:24. Close examination of each of
the passages shows complete harmony
between them. The vast territory which
was promised, initially, to Abraham and
subsequently confirmed to Isaac and
Jacob are the exact dimensions of land
noted here. Even though the nation did
not actually acquire the totality of the
Promised Land until the reigns of David
and Solomon (1 Kings 4:21, 24), God had
ensured that the land was Israel’s, and
they will eventually occupy it in peace.
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The Hittites (Joshua 1:4): The Hittites
were an ancient nation which derived
from Heth, one of the grandsons of
Ham, who was the son of Noah. They
occupied the geographic areas of the
totality of Asia Minor and Syria. They
were the principle inhabitants of
the Mesopotamian plain. Abraham
purchased his family’s tomb at Hebron
from the Hittites. When Joshua led
the children of Israel into the land of
Canaan, the Hittites were only one of
the nations they were to conquer and
displace. The land of Palestine was
often referred to as “Hittite country” by
both the Egyptians and the Babylonians
even after the Hittites had largely
withdrawn from the area.
The work of Christ goes on,
regardless of the failure or death
of human leaders. God’s eternal
purpose in Jesus Christ will not
fail. “Now he that planteth and he
that watereth are one: and every
man shall receive his own reward
according to his own labour. For we
are labourers together with God:
ye are God’s husbandry, ye are
God’s building. According to the
grace of God which is given unto
me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have
laid the foundation, and another
buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon”
(1 Cor. 3:8-10). The land of promise is just that—a Promised Land. Although
Israel has never taken full possession of God’s land grant, it is theirs by a
divine grant deed. “From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great
river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea
toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast” (Joshua 1:4). The eastern
12 / Joshua 1
border is the Euphrates River and the western border is the Mediterranean
Sea and the river of Egypt. This is a combined area of approximately 307,000
square miles. It takes in the Sinai peninsula, Jordan, Syria and about half
of Iraq. It is difficult, if not impossible, to take a map and draw lines that
show the boundaries. God knows where the boundaries are and will see to it
that the people of Israel claim His promise. The area described is about the
same square mile area as the states of Oregon, California and Washington
combined. The United Nations granted Israel 7,992 square miles in May of
1948. During the Six Day War of June, 1967, Israel enlarged its area to 2600
square miles. God is not through with Israel. “For I would not, brethren, that ye
should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits;
that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles
be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come
out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: for this
is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins” (Rom. 11:25-27).
All of His promises have not been fulfilled, and God’s promises are sure. “For
all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God
by us” (2 Cor. 1:20). He promised the people of Israel that all their enemies
would fall before them. “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee
all the days of thy life” (Joshua 1:5). This promise belongs to believers in
Christ. “Nay, in all these things we are
more than conquerors through him that
Sware: the word is an early spelling
loved us” (Rom. 8:37). We anxiously wait
of the word “swear.” The primary
for the last enemy, death, to be conquered
meaning is to be complete. The
word in another form represents
(1 Cor. 15:26). The Lord promised to be
the number seven. To sware is to
with Joshua and never fail him saying,
speak with confidence and strength
“As I was with Moses, so I will be with
as strongly as possible as if to
thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee”
repeat it seven times. This swaring
(Joshua 1:5). God is our Father, and, thus,
binds oneself to a promise in the
strongest possible manner. Word
we will never be orphaned. He will never
Study #7650.
fail or forsake us. “I will not leave you
comfortless [orphanos—to be bereaved,
an orphan, parentless, fatherless]: I will come to you” (John 14:18). “Let your
conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye
have: for he hath said, I will never leave [aniemi, an-ee’-ay-mee—to desert
or desist from] thee, nor forsake [egkataleipo, eng-kat-al-i-po—leave behind,
desert along the way] thee” (Heb. 13:5).
JOSHUA WAS A MAN OF THE BOOK Joshua 1:8
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt
meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to
all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and
then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8). The book of the Law refers
to the Pentateuch—Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy—
the books written by Moses under the
guidance of the Holy Spirit. Joshua likely
Observe: the meaning is not an
added to the end of Deuteronomy the
observation as in merely seeing
with the eyes, rather it is to
events of Moses’ death. “Joshua wrote
practice a rule of law or command.
these words in the book of the law of
The observation is commanded but
God, and took a great stone, and set it
not forced as in forced slavery. The
up there under an oak, that was by the
activity requires submission of heart
sanctuary of the Lord” (Joshua 24:26).
for the participant must be willing.
Word Study #8104.
This indicates that the book of Joshua
was considered a part of the Law along
with the Pentateuch.
God focused Joshua’s attention on the written Word, which gave him and
the people of Israel the guarantee of God’s divine presence and the certainty of
His promises. God gave the people
of Israel all they needed to know to
enter the Promised Land. Joshua
Scripture Meditation (Joshua 1:8): As
and the people were to meditate on
faithful and great a leader as Joshua
was, the Lord left nothing to chance.
the book of the Law day and night
He reminded the new leader of the
and they were to obey its every
nation that his position required the
word. This would result in success
constant guidance of the Lord, a large
as promised by God. The word
portion of which would come in the
meditate is from the Hebrew word
constant meditation on the Law of
Moses. The Word of the Lord is perfect
hagah (haw-gaw) which means
and leaders like Joshua could not be
“to murmur, to ponder, to engage
left to their own devices and without
in continuous deep thought.” It
divine counsel to sustain them in their
is used to refer to the moaning
tasks of spiritual leadership. Such is
sounds of a dove. In contrast it is
the same practical principle needed in
twenty-first century spiritual leaders.
also used of the roar of a lion when
To avoid carnal decisions and direction,
it catches its prey. In biblical times,
pastors and other spiritual leaders are
the Scriptures would be read aloud
to constantly meditate on the Scriptures
quietly during times of meditation.
to ensure their decisions and directives
The Israelites met with failure
are God-based, not man-based. The
awesome task facing Joshua in leading
because they compromised with
the Israelites across the Jordan River
the inhabitants of the land. This
into the land of promise required that
was in direct violation of God’s
the actual leader of Israel be Jehovah
command. “Take heed to thyself,
Himself, who revealed Himself to the
lest thou make a covenant with the
subordinate, human leader, Joshua.
inhabitants of the land whither
thou goest, lest it be for a snare
in the midst of thee: but ye shall destroy their altars, break their images,
and cut down their groves: for thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord,
whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: lest thou make a covenant with the
inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice
unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; and thou take
Manna
14 / Joshua 1
of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their
gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods” (Ex. 34:12-16). This was
ignored during the conquest, and a treaty was made with the Gibeonites. “And
the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord.
And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them
live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them. And it came to pass
at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they
heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them. And
the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day”
(Joshua 9:14-17).
We must earnestly contend for the faith without compromise as stated in
Jude 3. False doctrine, and its teachers, are not to be tolerated or in anyway
condoned by the Lord’s New Testament churches. “And that because of false
brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which
we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: to whom we
gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might
continue with you” (Gal. 2:4, 5). Teachers prove who and what they are by the
truth or heresy they teach. It is of the utmost importance that the Lord’s New
Testament churches test and prove their teachings by the Word of God. “Beloved,
believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because
many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). Paul battled
with false teachers his entire ministry. He strongly urged the Thessalonians “to
know [Greek eido meaning to pay attention, observe, inspect or examine] them
which labour among you” (1 Thess. 5:12). Compromising with false doctrine
will always bring defeat to God’s people. “But there were false prophets also
among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily
shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them and
bring upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1).
Israel failed because they became satisfied where they were and with what
they had. The tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh were
satisfied before they even crossed the Jordan River. “Wherefore, said they, if
we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for
a possession, and bring us not over Jordan. And Moses said unto the children
of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall
ye sit here? And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel
from going over into the land which the Lord hath given them?” (Num. 32:5-7).
Many churches are suffering because they are satisfied with the status quo.
After spending time with their compromises and self-satisfaction, the people
lost the will to fight. “Yet it came to pass, when the children of Israel were
waxen strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute; but did not utterly drive
them out” (Joshua 17:13). As a result, the enemies they compromised with
remain a snare to them today. “Know for a certainty that the Lord your God
will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be
snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes,
Joshua—Guiding the Nation/ 15
until ye perish from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you”
(Joshua 23:13).
JOSHUA ENLISTED GOOD, FAITHFUL HELPERS
Joshua 1:9-16
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid,
neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever
thou goest. Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people” (Joshua 1:9,
10). The word commanded is from the Hebrew word tsavah (tsaw-vaw) which
means “to make firm or establish.”] It is the appointment of someone to be in
charge over all to set things in order. This would include organizing troops and
delegating authority to those under you. God often carries out His commands
through His chosen messengers, such as the prophets and pastors. Joshua
wisely utilized others to help with leadership. The word officers in these
verses is from the Hebrew word shoter (sho-tare’) which refers to one who is
a superintendent or an overseer. The apostles requested that the Jerusalem
church seek out faithful helpers. Note this action caused the Word of God to
increase and the number of disciples continued to multiply. “And in those days,
when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of
the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the
daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto
them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve
tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report,
full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the
word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a
man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor,
and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: whom they set
before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in
Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the
faith” (Acts 6:1-7).
The tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh made an agreement
with Moses. Their inheritance would be the grassy lands east of the Jordan
River. This was ideal land for their livestock. They would build houses for the
families, folds for their sheep and cattle on the east side of the Jordan River,
but first they would help their brethren, as they had been helped, to conquer
the land of Canaan. Joshua honored the agreement and forty thousand of their
one hundred ten thousand men of war went over into the land of Canaan to
fight with their brethren. The other seventy thousand stayed behind to insure
the safety of their families and the lands already conquered. When the tribes
were settled, after seven years of battle, the forty thousand returned to their
families and lands on the east side of the Jordan River (Joshua 1:12-15). “And
they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and
whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go” (verse 16).
16 / Joshua 1
Israel was getting ready to cross the Jordan River. Proper preparations
needed to be made. This was their first step in the conquest of the land. The
eastern tribes pledged their obedience with one stipulation. “According as
we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only
the Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses” (verse 17). The word
hearkened is from the Hebrew word shama which means “not only to hear,
but to pay attention and obey what has been said and heard.” It speaks of one
giving their undivided attention, to give one’s ear, to weigh a matter and judge
its merits with an obeying heart. Obedience to the new leader was needful if
they were to conquer Canaan. Israelites, then and now, consider Moses the
greatest among the prophets. They wept thirty days when he died. He was the
only leader the majority of them had ever known. They could always depend
on Moses to mediate and get them out of trouble when they aroused the anger
and judgment of God or when various enemies oppressed them.
Joshua was the new leader. He was not Moses, but they understood that he
was God’s appointed man. When Joshua took command, he immediately began
to give orders. The day had arrived to take the land of promise. The Israelites
accepted Joshua with a threefold promise. They pledged to obey his commands,
to go where he sent them and to put to death anyone who disobeyed his orders.
Conclusion
Obviously, the pledge of obedience was made by all the officers serving in
Israel’s military and not just the officers of the two and one-half tribes of the
east. What words of encouragement this must have been to Joshua. Such would
boast the confidence of any God-called leader in his ability to lead His people in
the way of the Lord.
Are you ready to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit and prepare for
victory? Are you ready to follow so the Lord will make your way prosperous and
successful to His honor and glory? Are you ready to follow the Lord in prayer
alone and together with your brothers and sisters in Christ? If you are ready to
cross over, stop for a moment and spend some time in prayer.
Every Sunday morning and evening the church officers and teachers must
be ready to take their appointed places following the pastor’s lead as he follows
Christ. Are you ready to make the crossing? Success in the work of the Lord is
absolutely certain when all His conditions are met and fulfilled.
Lesson 2
Rahab—
Trusting God’s Salvation
Joshua 2
“Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet
thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy
father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home
unto thee” (Joshua 2:18). “And she said, According unto your words, so be it.
And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in
the window” (verse 21). “Then she let them down by a cord through the window:
for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall” (verse 15).
These are the key verses that mention the scarlet cord. They are important to
Rahab and her family’s salvation.
The city of Jericho was the key to the conquest of Canaan. It lay about seven
miles west of the Jordan River. It was a strongly walled city which stood as a
barrier before Joshua and Israel as they would move against the Canaanites.
Its location made it a difficult city to capture. Seeking to offset this, Joshua sent
spies into Jericho to help plan the attack on the walled city. “And Joshua the
son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land,
even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab
[rachab means “proud”], and lodged there” (Joshua 2:1). Joshua’s actions did not
in any way diminish the promise of God that He would fight for the Israelites
and give them the land. This promise was still true and would come to pass.
Joshua was not doubting God, but he showed good leadership. God had not
yet revealed His full battle plan to Joshua. Jesus taught about making proper
preparation for battle. “Or what king, going to make war against another king,
sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand
to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand” (Luke 14:31).
Joshua was being a wise leader. He wanted to obtain full information regarding
any weakness in the city, its defense, its weapons and the best approach if they
were ordered to attack.
SPIES AND A HARLOT
Joshua 2:1-7
Yes, Rahab was a harlot, but she was a repentant sinner whose faith was
in the God of Israel. The word harlot is from the Hebrew word zanah, (zawnaw) which means “to commit fornication, to be a cult prostitute; also to be
unfaithful to God—idolatry”. Christians need to be careful about throwing
stones and dirt. You will be the one losing ground. Jesus, in dealing with the
17
18 / Joshua 2
men who claimed they brought before
Him a woman taken in adultery, said,
“He that is without sin among you, let
him first cast a stone at her” (John 8:7).
It takes two to commit adultery. If the
woman was truly taken in the act, where
was the man? Under the Law, he was
just as guilty as she. “And the man that
committeth adultery with another man’s
wife, even he that committeth adultery
with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer
and the adulteress shall surely be put
to death” (Lev. 20:10). We are all sinners
(Rom. 3:23). Some remain such and face
the wages of death. While others repent and are forgiven and receive eternal
life. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).
The king of Jericho was aroused to the fact that strangers had come into town.
“And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to
night of the children of Israel to search out the country” (Joshua 2:2). Why go
to Rahab’s house? Her home was a likely
place for travelers to go, especially when
Stalks of Flax: the reference is
one was coming in from the hot desert.
to the flax plant that grew in the
Jordan Valley and from its fibers
The king demanded that they be brought
the people made linen. It was not
to him. “And the king of Jericho sent unto
uncommon for persons to lay flax
Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that
plants on the roof to dry. Rahab had
are come to thee, which are entered into
a large stack of these plants drying
thine house: for they be come to search
on the roof of her house, enough
out all the country” (verse 3).
to hide two men. Being a single
This was a dangerous operation,
woman, and having such a stack of
flax, it is reasonable that she made
but the spies found an unexpected ally
linen as a source of income. Word
in Rahab the harlot. Josephus wrote,
Studies #6086 and #6593.
“There were some persons come from
the Hebrew’s camp to view the city as
Fords: the meaning is to pass
spies, and that they were in the inn kept
through an area that does not
by Rahab, and were very solicitous that
present resistance as compared to
they might not be discovered” (Josephus the surrounding area. It is like going
through a mountain pass that is easy
Antiquities of the Jews, Chapter I—Book
compared to crossing mountains
V—page 104). The spies kept their ears
without such a pass. The word also
and eyes open. Other foreigners passing
may refer to a place in a river that
through would visit the inn, two more
is easier to cross than most places
strangers should not have been noticed.
in the river. It may be a place that
Rahab’s communication with the king
is shallow and has a hard bottom,
making the crossing easier. Word
of Jericho and her plot with the spies
Study #4569.
saved countless lives in Israel and those
of her own family. “And the king of Jericho
Harlot: the meaning is to practice
sexual intimacy outside the confines
of marriage. The word refers to
the breaking of one of God’s basic
commandments, the commandment
against adultery (Ex. 20:14).
The commandment was given
in association with God’s design
of marriage (Gen. 2:20-24). This
particular word refers to a woman
who is well known for practicing
this intimacy. Word Study #2181.
Rahab—Trusting God’s Salvation / 19
sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth
the men that are come to thee, which
are entered into thine house: for they
be come to search out all the country.
Stacking Flax on the Roof (Joshua
And the woman took the two men,
2:6): The harvest of barley and
and hid them, and said thus, There
flax occurred at the same time.
came men unto me, but I wist not
When they were sickled and put in
whence they were: and it came to
sheaves, they were stored where
pass about the time of shutting of the
they were exposed to the sun for
drying. In the case of the house
gate, when it was dark, that the men
of Rahab, the presence of flax and
went out: whither the men went I wot
barley on the roof would not have
not: pursue after them quickly; for ye
been an unusual sight. When flax
shall overtake them” (verses 3-5).
is in the process of drying, it turns a
Rahab willingly became a party with
blondish color. Though it is fibrous
the spies’ plot to see Israel conquer
in that state, sheaves of drying flax
Jericho. “But she had brought them
would serve as good camouflage in
the case of Rahab seeking to hide the
up to the roof of the house, and hid
Hebrew spies. And the city officials
them with the stalks of flax, which
would not be the least bit suspicious
she had laid in order upon the roof”
since drying flax on the roof was the
(verse 6).
common occurrence for the season.
The king believed Rahab’s story
and quickly sent men out of the city
in pursuit of the Israelite spies. “And
the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as
they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate” (verse 7).
Why Rahab would do such a thing is the question that brings us to the meat of
this lesson.
Manna
RAHAB HEARD ABOUT
Joshua 2:8-10
AND BELIEVED IN THE LORD
She believed the promises the Lord made to Abraham. “And before they
were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; and she said unto the
men, I know that the Lord hath given you
the land, and that your terror [eymah, ayFaint: it is to melt or become less
maw—to dread, to fear, to be horrified] is
in mass, presence or power. The
fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants
meaning suggests a downward
of the land faint [from the Hebrew word
flow so as the object dissipates
and perhaps disappears. It
mug, moog—they melt, are consumed,
becomes less in attribute. While
are made soft] because of you” (verses
it may refer to a material object,
8, 9). The fear of the Lord was upon the
it may also mean an emotional
people of Jericho. This was in fulfillment
lessening. The heart may become
of the Lord’s promise that Israel’s enemies
less strong, weaker in confidence
would turn and flee. “I will send my fear
and faith. The emotional result
before thee, and will destroy all the people
may then be fear. Word Study
#4127.
to whom thou shalt come, and I will make
all thine enemies turn their backs unto
20 / Joshua 2
thee” (Ex. 23:27). Rahab’s faith was the result of her fear. Her faith is what
produced her salvation and that of her family. “The fear of the Lord is a
fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death” (Prov. 14:27). With some
folks the message of love is what makes the difference. However, with others
it is the message of hell fire that brings the fear that wins the battle over sin
and death. “And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others
save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted
by the flesh” (Jude 22, 23). This example should cause us to reach out to others
with the gospel of Jesus Christ. “Knowing therefore the terror [from the Greek
word phobos, fob’-os—to be put in fear or dread] of the Lord, we persuade
[from the Greek word peitho, pi’tho—to convince, to seek, to win] men; but
we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your
consciences” (2 Cor. 5:11).
Rahab heard what the Lord had done for Israel during its wilderness
journey, and it caused fear that brought conviction to turn from Jericho’s idols
and serve the living God. “For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water
of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two
kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom
ye utterly destroyed” (Joshua 2:10). Such news traveled fast even in those days.
The message of God’s deliverance had not only reached her ears but her heart
also. This is how faith comes. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing
by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). It is impossible to believe in something or
someone we have never heard of and about whom we know nothing. “How then
shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they
believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a
preacher?” (Rom. 10:14). Word of God’s marvelous works had beat Israel to the
land of promise. The heart of Rahab was prepared to listen and heed what she
heard. This was how the Lord and the Spirit went ahead of Paul to win Lydia
and her household at Thyatira. “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of
purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart
the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye
have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there.
And she constrained us” (Acts 16:14, 15). What does the message of judgment
and salvation say to you?
Two new generations have come into being on both sides of the Jordan. Forty
years had passed, but the story of the Red Sea crossing, how the Israelites
destroyed the kings and how their God fought for them remained as though
they were the day’s headlines. Jericho and the Canaanites lived with forty
years of anxiety. They were made to wonder and worry about the day when the
invincible armies of Israel, led by Jehovah God, would appear on the horizon.
RAHAB CONFESSED
Joshua 2:11
“And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did
there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your
God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath” (Joshua 2:11). Rahab not
only believed in the power of Israel’s
Almighty God, she also believed that
such a God was merciful. This too
Rahab’s Faith in God (Joshua 2:11):
is a step of faith that leads toward
In the midst of the despair of the
salvation. “But what saith it? The
Canaanites, Rahab came to realize
word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth,
that Jehovah was not only the God
and in thy heart: that is, the word of
of the Israelites but was the true
faith, which we preach; that if thou
God of Heaven and of earth. While
shalt confess with thy mouth the
her countrymen were forlorn and
Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine
in utter depression, she, instead,
manifested faith in Jehovah which
heart that God hath raised him from
caused her to rejoice at her newthe dead, thou shalt be saved. For
found faith. As a Canaanite pagan,
with the heart man believeth unto
she had been engaged in its belief
righteousness; and with the mouth
system, as well as living a life-style
confession is made unto salvation”
which was trafficking in heinous
(Rom. 10:8-10).
sin. As a result of knowing why the
conquest of her country was taking
When we confess, God is faithful
place, she turned to the Lord God,
to forgive and cleanse us as He did
repented and manifested a great
Rahab. Here is proof that God forgives
faith that is renowned even to this
all manner of sin and sinners. “If we
day.
confess our sins, he is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Rahab’s confession showed
her fear, her helpless state and her faith in the power and mercy of Israel’s God.
She did not attempt to justify herself with her actions concerning the spies. She
was known by the king of Jericho to be a harlot. As sinners we, too, are helpless
and hopeless, and we do not have the strength or wherewithal to justify or save
ourselves. What men call righteousness does not measure up to God’s standard.
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy
rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken
us away” (Isa. 64:6). Neither the spies nor Joshua discussed Rahab’s way of
life. Her past was no longer an issue. Her confession and willingness to accept
Jehovah as her God was all that truly mattered. Our past is only an issue if
we do not repent and trust Jesus Christ as our Savior. It is not about who and
what we were, it is about what Jesus has done and can do for us. “For when we
were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely
for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would
even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we
were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:6-8).
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RAHAB PRAYED FOR SALVATION
Joshua 2:12, 13
Rahab pleaded with the spies to enter into a agreement with her. “Now
therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you
kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house, and give me
a true token” (verse 12). Having heard, believed and confessed, Rahab prayed
for a place among God’s chosen people. This is a bold and brave request coming
22 / Joshua 2
from a harlot living in a city God had
promised to destroy. The Lord promised to
go before Israel “to drive out nations from
before thee greater and mightier than
thou art, to bring thee in, to give thee their
land for an inheritance, as it is this day”
(Deut. 4:38). “Then will the Lord drive out
all these nations from before you, and ye
shall possess greater nations and mightier
than yourselves” (Deut. 11:23). The writer
of the book of Hebrews challenged believers to pray with the confidence and
assurance that God, through Jesus Christ, is always there to deliver by His
grace and mercy. “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed
into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For
we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let
us therefore come boldly [parrhesia, par-rahy-see-ah—assuredly, confidently,
without concealment, freely”] unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:14-16).
It was Rahab’s unquestioning faith that saved her. Such faith gave her name
a place among the great cloud of witnesses listed by the writer of the book
of Hebrews. “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed
not, when she had received the spies with peace” (Heb. 11:31). Rahab’s faith
and prayer was not only for self, but for her family also. “And that ye will
save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and
all that they have, and deliver our lives from death” (Joshua 2:13). Our faith
and prayers need to cover our homes and families. She asked for a true token
a trustworthy signal or flag from the spies that assured their safety. Believers
have been sealed by the Holy Spirit. He stands as our “earnest” [arrhabon, arhrab-ohn —a pledge or security] of our salvation and inheritance. “In whom ye
also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:
in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of
promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the
purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory” (Eph. 1:13, 14).
Kindness: it is an expression of
concern for the well being of
another. It is an action whereby
one helps another. Something is
spent, something is given, and the
recipient benefits. The gift comes
with strength, steadfastness and
love. Word Study #2617.
RAHAB’S PRAYER WAS ANSWERED
Joshua 2:14
“And the men answered her, Our life for your’s, if ye utter not this our
business. And it shall be, when the Lord hath given us the land, that we will
deal kindly and truly with thee” (Joshua 2:14). She had trusted the spies, but
now the promise was the Lord’s.
God’s promises are always sure. “For all the promises of God in him are yea,
and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2 Cor. 1:20). Do we trust the
word of the prophets and the apostles? Abraham told the rich man in hell that
Moses and the prophets were what people needed to hear. “And he said unto
him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded,
though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:31). Surely we would not be so bold
as to call God a liar by rejecting His
Son and His Word. “He that believeth
on the Son of God hath the witness
in himself: he that believeth not
God hath made him a liar; because
he believeth not the record that God
gave of his Son” (1 John 5:10).
RAHAB SHOWED HER FAITH
BY HER WORKS Joshua 2:15-21
Jericho must have been an
overcrowded city. Rahab’s house had
been built upon the wall. Rahab let
the spies down over the city walls
through a window. When the spies
went out the window and down the
rope, they were outside the city. “Then
she let them down by a cord through
the window: for her house was upon
the town wall, and she dwelt upon
the wall” (verse 15). If she had been
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The Excavated Walls of Jericho
(Joshua 2:15): Modern cynics have
called the accounts of the book
of Joshua into question as to the
timing of the events as well as the
possibility of the accounts being
accurate and true. However,
various archaeological discoveries
during the Twentieth Century and
later have confirmed the accounts
in the book of Joshua that the city
walls did, indeed, fall. One such
excavation took place between 190709, which found that a small section
of the lower city wall had not fallen,
and that there were still remains of
houses which were leaning against
the city’s upper wall. Rahab’s
house may well have been one of
those houses. On the other side
of the upper wall, the spies could
easily have escaped to the Judean
wilderness where they hid for three
days.
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Our Lives for Yours (Joshua 2:14):
In exchange for the secrecy of Rahab
and her family members, the spies
from Israel swore a conditional vow
in that they would not cause Rahab
and her family to suffer death, but
only in the event that she did not
disclose the fact that the spies had
found refuge in her household.
Both the spies and Rahab herself
manifested great faith in Jehovah,
trusting in each other to fulfill the
needs of both. Their trust was
foremost in the Lord, with the spies
believing Rahab’s testimony of
personal faith, and her confidence
in their word as those who were
faithful to Jehovah, their God. The
verb translated “utter not” is second
person plural, implying that the
agreement referred to Rahab and her
entire household.
caught, it would mean her life and
likely the lives of her family.
She told the men which way to go
to avoid being caught. “And she said
unto them, Get you to the mountain,
lest the pursuers meet you; and hide
yourselves there three days, until the
pursuers be returned: and afterward
may ye go your way” (verse 16). To the
west of Jordan, nearby mountains are
honeycombed with caves. The spies
could hide out there for three days
until it was safe to go back to their
camp on the east side of the Jordan
River.
Rahab had to follow the in
structions of the spies, or they would
not guarantee that she and her family
would be saved. “And the men said
unto her, We will be blameless of this
thine oath which thou hast made us
24 / Joshua 2
swear” (verse 17). This was faith that
was at work because of love. It did
not matter that she was a Canaanite
and a harlot. What mattered was her
Line of Scarlet Thread (Joshua 2:18,
21): So far as the spies knew, the
faith. “For in Jesus Christ neither
Israelites would have to attack the
circumcision availeth any thing,
city of Jericho, not knowing ahead
nor uncircumcision; but faith which
of time that Jehovah God would
worketh by love” (Gal. 5:6). There
cause a miraculous intervention.
are three steps given here that must
The scarlet cord was to be a sign
be followed. First, she must bind
between Rahab and the Jews that
those of her family who were within
the scarlet cord outside the window.
the house during the siege would be
“Behold, when we come into the land,
spared from death. The sign of the
thou shalt bind this line of scarlet
scarlet cord would be an indication
thread in the window which thou
to those battling the Canaanites that
didst let us down by” (Joshua 2:18).
it was a “safe-house.” Rahab’s act of
Second, she must bring her family
tying the scarlet cord to the window
into the house. Those outside her
was an active demonstration of her
new-found faith in the Lord. Some
house would perish with Jericho.
have suggested that the scarlet cord
“And thou shalt bring thy father, and
is typical of the blood of Christ,
thy mother, and thy brethren, and all
of whom Rahab was an ancestor.
thy father’s household, home unto
There is, however, no reference
thee. And it shall be, that whosoever
in the Bible which gives any
shall go out of the doors of thy house
confirmation of this suggestion.
into the street, his blood shall be upon
his head, and we will be guiltless: and
whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any
hand be upon him” (verses 18, 19). Third, she must not give up the spies. “And if
thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast
made us to swear” (verse 20).
Rahab agreed to obey their words. “And she said, According unto your words,
so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet
line in the window” (verse 21). Only when the sinner agrees to follow God’s
plan will he and his house be saved. “And brought them out, and said, Sirs,
what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:30, 31). There is no other way
but God’s way, which is Jesus Christ. “Neither is there salvation in any other:
for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we
must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Rahab was not saved by works. She was saved by
faith, and her faith produced good works.
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RAHAB AND HER FAMILY
PROMISED DELIVERANCE
Joshua 2:22-24
The spies returned after three days and told Joshua all that happened.
“And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which
thou hast made us to swear. And she said, According unto your words, so be
it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line
in the window. And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there
three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them
throughout all the way, but found them not. So the two men returned, and
descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of
Nun, and told him all things that befell them: and they said unto Joshua, Truly
the Lord hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants
of the country do faint because of us” (verses 20-24). The Lord said to Joshua,
“Go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give
to them, even to the children of Israel” (Joshua 1:2). Joshua said to his officers,
“Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to
go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it”
(Joshua 1:11). Rahab said it to the spies, ”I know that the Lord hath given you
the land” (Joshua 2:9). The spies repeat the words to Joshua.
When Jericho fell, Joshua saw to it that Rahab and her family had a place in
the land of promise. “And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s
household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day;
because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho” (Joshua
6:25).
CONCLUSION
A scarlet thread (cord) may seem like a small thing, but it saved Rahab and
her family. The blood shed on the cross may seem like a small thing to some,
but it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.
What lessons are here for us? First, we are to follow God’s command. Second,
we are to be prepared to meet the situations placed before us. Third, we are to
understand that God saves sinners and changes lives.
Rahab found her place in Israel. She was married to Salmon and their son
was Boaz. He married Ruth and their son was Obed, whose son was Jesse and
his son was David. “And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed
of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; and Jesse begat David the king; and David the
king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; and Jacob begat
Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ”
(Matt. 1:5, 6, 16). Rahab’s name will live forever as an ancestor of Jesus Christ.
Lesson 3
Priests—Leading by Faith
Joshua 3; 4
“And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the
Lord will do wonders among you” (Joshua 3:5). God had promised Israel “a
land flowing with milk and honey.” This phrase is repeated many times during
Israel’s wilderness journey. Christ has given His churches many precious
promises (2 Peter 1:1-4). The promises of Christ are sure. Therefore, we should
never doubt His Word (2 Cor. 1:20).
The Jordan River was at flood stage. “Jordan overfloweth all his banks all
the time of harvest” (Joshua 3:15). The Jordan appeared to be an obstacle or
barrier to the Israelites expectations of abundant lives in the Promised Land.
The Lord parted the Red Sea, sent manna, quail, gave them water, the pillar
of cloud and the pillar of fire. The Jordan River was one more place that He
would show the Israelites that He was in charge. Jesus promised believers
an abundant life (John 10:10). The word abundantly is from the Greek word
perissos which means “to be superabundant in quantity or quality, exceeding
abundantly above, beyond measure.” This the Lord is able to do. “Now unto
him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that worketh in us” (Eph. 3:20). The Jordan was not a
stumbling block but, as we will see, a blessing to the people of faith. The Jordan
had to be crossed to claim God’s promise. Would they become discouraged and
turn back, or would their faith look to the Lord for the solution? Would they
trust God to provide the way, or would they question His power and ability to
take them across? Would they become victims of their circumstances, or would
they by faith become the victors? Would they be defeated by this trial, or would
they by faith be more than conquerors?
We face Jordan crossings as a church and as individual believers. Do we
become discouraged and turn back, or by faith do we look to the Lord who has
proven Himself again and again? “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed
about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the
sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is
set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for
the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is
set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured
such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in
your minds” (Heb. 12:1-3). Do we trust the Lord to provide, or do we question
26
Priests—Leading by Faith / 27
His power and ability to see us across to the other side? We need to be bold in
our faith like the apostle Paul and declare, “I can do all things through Christ
which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13). Will we become one of Satan’s victims,
or will we be victors through Jesus Christ? “For whatsoever is born of God
overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even
our faith” (1 John 5:4). Will we allow Satan to defeat us, or will we be more than
conquerors in Christ? “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors
through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor
angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from
the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:37-39).
CROSSING JORDAN BY FAITH
AND EACH ONE IN THEIR PLACE
Israel was standing on the brink of
the Jordan. Joshua had mobilized the
people for the march ahead (Joshua
1:11). This task was accomplished and
they were ready to move forward. “And
Joshua rose early in the morning; and
they removed from Shittim, and came
to Jordan, he and all the children of
Israel, and lodged there before they
passed over. And it came to pass after
three days, that the officers went
through the host” (Joshua 3:1, 2). The
Promised Land was also the land of
conquest, and it awaited on the other
side of the river. God promised them
victory over the giants their fathers
feared (Deut. 9:1-3). Have we set
things in order with the Lord, His
church and fellow-believers? Are we
ready for the crossing? Setting and
keeping God’s house is a worthy task
that will be blessed of the Lord. “So the
service of the house of the Lord was set
in order. And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all
the people, that God had prepared the
people: for the thing was done suddenly”
(2 Chron. 29:35, 36). It is important that
we understand that before this blessed
day occurred, Hezekiah set his own
house in order (Isa. 38:1). Satan’s defeat
is promised, but we must by faith pass
over this Jordan.
Joshua 3:1-6
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Ark of the Covenant (Joshua 3:3)
Upon leaving Shittim and arriving
on the bank of the Jordan River, the
Hebrews were instructed by the
elders of the tribes to follow after
the ark of the covenant, keeping
enough of a distance to ensure that
they could see and follow the ark
all through the traversing of the
river. The ark symbolized God’s
presence with them and that the
Lord Himself was marching into the
land of promise. The very presence
of the ark as they were soon to cross
the Jordan, indicated to the people
that the experience was much more
than a military campaign; it was a
procession of the people of God who
were following Him into the land
He had promised them.
Remove: the reference is to removing
that which anchors something so
that it may move from one location
to another. The idea is that of pulling
up tent stakes to set out on a
journey. It often has to do with the
migration of people (Genesis 11:2;
Isaiah 33:20). Word Study #5256.
28 / Joshua 3; 4
The message was one of faith. The command was to follow God. “And they
commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord
your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from
your place, and go after it” (Joshua 3:3). When we see God moving, do we sit
down or get up and go? Israel was commanded to follow the movement of the
pillar of cloud (Ex. 13:21, 22). “And the cloud of the Lord was upon them by day,
when they went out of the camp” (Num. 10:34). This is a picture of believing
faith that follows after God. Believer’s are indwelt by the Holy Spirit who is
there to guide us in the way of truth (John 16:13).
Israel, as well as we, must never forget to show the proper reverence for the
living, Almighty, eternal, all-knowing, ever-present God. “Yet there shall be a
space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not
near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not
passed this way heretofore” (Joshua 3:4). The ark of the covenant is a type of
God’s throne. God’s meeting place with His people (Ex. 25:20-22). Every born
again child of God can stand before “the throne of grace” because of our High
Priest, Jesus Christ (Heb. 4:14-16). Remember in the Old Testament the ark
could only be approached and touched by the anointed priest of God (Ex. 30:30;
40:13). Jesus, our High Priest, has entered in before us opening the way to the
Holy of Holies. “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an
high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec” (Heb. 6:20). “For Christ is
not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the
true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us” (Heb.
9:24). His children have been anointed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. “But
ye have an unction [anointing] from the Holy One, and ye know all things” (1
John 2:20).
This was a challenge for the people
of God to sanctify themselves (set
themselves apart for His service).
Sanctify Yourselves” (Joshua 3:5:
This same challenge goes out to every
In anticipation of the miraculous
believer. “And the very God of peace
work the Lord would perform on
sanctify you wholly; and I pray God
the following day, the Hebrews
your whole spirit and soul and body be
were told to personally sanctify
preserved blameless unto the coming
themselves. In this context, it
of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess.
refers to the fact that they were to
5:23). Have we truly set ourselves
simply turn their hearts completely
to God and such would only be
apart unto the Lord and His service
accomplished as each one personally
in the house of God? After repairing
gave themselves to God. Whether
and cleaning the house of the Lord,
in that day or in our own time, the
sanctifying the Levites and gathering
call for Israel or a New Testament
the people, Hezekiah and Judah first
church to be sanctified to the Lord
presented themselves and then they
will only be accomplished on a
“sanctified the house of the Lord” (2
corporate level as each individual
member submits to that spiritual
Chron. 29:17). The Tabernacle was
admonition.
called the house of God. “Then all the
children of Israel, and all the people,
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went up, and came unto the house of God,
and wept, and sat there before the Lord, and
Wonders: the meaning is for
something to be or become
fasted that day until even, and offered burntdifferent from the norm.
offerings and peace-offerings before the
It may be great, difficult or
Lord” (Judges 20:26). The Temple was called
wonderful. It may be an act
“the house of God.” “So that the priests could
beyond normal ability. Its
not stand to minister by reason of the cloud:
characteristics distinguish it as
a wonder. Word Study #6381.
for the glory of the Lord had filled the house
of God” (2 Chron. 5:14). The New Testament
church is “the house of God.” “But if I tarry
long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house
of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the
truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). Are we standing in our appointed places? Remember when
we come into the Lord’s house, we are standing on holy ground that has been
dedicated to Him.
This was a challenge for the priests to be strong in their faith. Were they
going to walk on water? Had Joshua found a shallow place to cross? Or was
God once again going to intervene? “And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying,
Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they
took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people” (Joshua 3:6).
The priests with the ark were to move out in front of the people. The hearts,
minds and eyes of Israel were not fixed on the swift currents of the flooding
Jordan. They were fixed upon the priests who were carrying the ark of God.
Our focus must be on the Lord if we are to be saved and find consolation, hope
and comfort in our hearts (Isa. 45:22).
CROSS JORDAN KNOWING GOD IS IN CONTROL
Joshua 3:7-13
God promised to “magnify” (from the
Hebrew word gadal meaning “to enlarge
Magnified: the meaning comes
as in mind, to honor, to lift up, to promote”)
from the idea of twisting a mass so
to change its form. It is to increase
Joshua. “And the Lord said unto Joshua,
in presence and not to decrease.
This day will I begin to magnify thee in
The object may increase in value
the sight of all Israel, that they may know
and influence according to some
that, as I was with Moses, so I will be
standard of judgment. The increase
with thee” (Joshua 3:7). Leaders need to
also may be due to a maturing
know and experience the presence of God.
process. Word Study #1431.
If people are to follow, they need leaders
they can respect and upon whom they
can depend. The orders and commands of such a leader are rarely questioned.
The priests were to lead the way but note that they were to “stand still in
Jordan” (verse 8). “And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the
covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall
stand still in Jordan” (verse 8). The Hebrew word amad means “to continue to
dwell, to endure, to stand fast, to be firm.” They led the way but did not move
until all of Israel was safely across.
30 / Joshua 3; 4
With God and leaders of faith
walking with him, Joshua fearlessly
told the message of God to the
The Inhabitants of Palestine
children of Israel. “And Joshua said
(Joshua 3:10): The list of
unto the children of Israel, Come
different Canaanite populations
hither, and hear the words of the
was indicative of their overall
Lord your God” (verse 9). Paul’s
pervasiveness in the whole land
instructions
to Timothy are still good
which they occupied even though
advice for us today. “Preach the word;
God promised the land to His
people, Israel. The Canaanites
be instant in season, out of season;
were the groups of nations who
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
lived in the lowlands of the coastal
longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim.
plain and the Jordan valley,
4:2). This gives us the full assurance
while the Amorites resided in the
of God’s presence and victory. “And
mountainous regions. Palestine had
Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know
been regarded by the Egyptians and
that the living God is among you,
the Babylonians as Hittite country.
and that he will without fail drive
The residents of Gibeon were called
Hivites. The Perizzites had their
out from before you the Canaanites,
abode in the central highlands
and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and
with the Gergashites inhabiting the
the Perizzites, and the Girgashites,
southern plain. The Jebusites were
and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
the residents of what is now the city
Behold, the ark of the covenant of
of Jerusalem, which was formerly
the Lord of all the earth passeth
referred to as “Jebus.” They also
over before you into Jordan” (Joshua
had a remnant which lived in the
3:10, 11). The waters may seem
foothill areas of northern Palestine.
threatening, but in the presence of
God they pose no threat nor do they
bring any harm to His people. “Now therefore take you twelve men out of the
tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man. And it shall come to pass, as soon as
the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all
the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be
cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon
an heap” (verses 12, 13).
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CROSS JORDAN CLEAN OVER
Joshua 3:14-17
They crossed by going forward. They did not stay in the tents. “And it came
to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the
priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people” (verse 14).
They crossed because God kept His Word. “And as they that bare the ark
were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were
dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the
time of harvest,) that the waters which came down from above stood and rose
up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those
that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were
cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho” (verses 15, 16). Note
that God marked the time and place of the crossing. Those who would attempt
to go another way would fail.
They crossed because the
priests stood their ground.
“And the priests that bare the
ark of the covenant of the Lord
stood firm on dry ground in the
midst of Jordan, and all the
Israelites passed over on dry
ground, until all the people
were passed clean over Jordan”
(verse 17). They did not leave
in the middle of the crossing.
They stayed until all the people
had made the crossing. Many
leaders give up too soon in the
Lord’s service.
Manna
The Time of Harvest (Joshua 3:15): During
the entire time of the harvest, the Jordan
River overflowed its banks. That fact,
alone, dispenses with the claim that the
river would have been nearly dried up for
the people of Israel to cross. But since the
biblical account indicates that the people
crossed on dry land, with the upstream part
of the river bound up as if a retaining dam
had been erected to cause the experience,
the condition of the river, known by most
people, was of flood stage at that time of the
year, thus impacting the narrative to indicate
a miraculous occurrence more emphatically.
WHAT MEAN THESE STONES?
Joshua 4:1-24
“And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall
ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?” (Joshua
4:21). Two memorials, both God ordained, are spoken of in this chapter. The
first speaks of deliverance. “And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of
Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the
covenant stood: and they are there unto this day” (verse 9). The second speaks
of rest and possession. “And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan,
did Joshua pitch in Gilgal” (verse 20). God’s memorials do not always appear
in stone, temples or institutions. Every living stone, believer in Jesus Christ,
is built upon Him as a memorial to grace and mercy. What mean these stones?
This could be written over the gate of every cemetery. The stones mentioned
in this reading were set up to teach what God had done, what He could do and
what He would do.
These stones speak of a time of bondage. They laid buried in the dark of the
Jordan River. “And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the Lord
your God into the midst of Jordan, and take you up every man of you a stone
upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of
Israel” (verse 5). “And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and
took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the Lord spake unto Joshua,
according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried
them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down
there” (verse 8). Such was Israel as they were buried and hidden in Egyptian
bondage (Ex. 1:13, 14). Such are we without Christ as our Savior (Gal. 4:3; Heb.
2:15). Without Christ we are buried in the darkness of sin and death (Eph. 2:1,
5). Without Christ we are under the bondage and penalty of sin. Every stone
gathered, great or small, was affected the same way.
These stones speak of helplessness. These stones could not come out of the
darkness of Jordan under their own power. Therefore, they were lifted up and
32 / Joshua 3; 4
carried out by a greater power. The only way we can be lifted up is by trusting
Jesus Christ. “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you
up” (James 4:10). Who delivered whom from Egypt? “And I am sure that the
king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand. And I will stretch
out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst
thereof: and after that he will let you go” (Ex. 3:19, 20). There is only one way
to be brought to life from the state of death (John 5:24; Eph. 2:1). Too many,
like Israel, are content to stay where they are in the dark. “And the children
of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in
the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread
to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole
assembly with hunger” (Ex. 16:3). Why, once redeemed and set free, would
anyone desire to go back? “But now, after that ye have known God, or rather
are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak [from the Greek word asthene
meaning “feeble, sick, impotent”] and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire
again to be in bondage” (Gal. 4:9).
These stones speak of discovery. “And it came to pass, when the people
removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark
of the covenant before the people; and as they that bare the ark were come
unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the
brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
that the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap
very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down
toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the
people passed over right against Jericho. And the priests that bare the ark of
the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and
all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed
clean over Jordan” (Joshua 3:14-17). Only the Almighty God could make such
a thing possible. “For the Lord your God dried up the waters of Jordan from
before you, until ye were passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red sea,
which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over” (Joshua 4:23). By
the mighty work of God the stones were brought to light. The mighty work
of God’s grace has brought us to the light (2 Cor. 4:6). Jesus is the Light and
gives believers the light of life (John 8:12). In Christ we have been called
from darkness into awesome light. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar [from the Greek words eis peripoiesin—
possessed, purchased, obtained] people; that ye should shew forth the praises
of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter
2:9). God dried up Pharaoh’s power and from the floods of affliction brought
those under the blood out of the darkness of Egypt (Ex. 15:1, 2). Only those who
have turned to Christ know the glorious feeling of coming out of bondage to a
life of liberty. The dark waters of condemnation have been rolled back (Rom.
8:1). The soul has been brought into the light of God’s glorious grace (Luke
1:77-79).
These stones speak of deliverance. They were taken from midstream by
the chosen prepared men. “Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had
prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man: and Joshua said
unto them, Pass over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of
Jordan, and take you up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according
unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel” (Joshua 4:4, 5). They
were laid and placed in the place of their lodging. “And the children of Israel
did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of
Jordan, as the Lord spake unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes
of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where
they lodged, and laid them down there” (verse 8). This is a picture of Israel’s
salvation and ours. They were carried out of bondage into rest and liberty on
the shoulders of the Shepherd (Heb. 3:16-19; 4:1-9). Christ was with them and
He is with us, loving us and caring for us (Ex. 33:14, 15). Christ has, does and
will yet deliver us (2 Cor. 1:10). The Promised Land was not a rest stop, but a
restful working.
These stones speak of testimony.
They were placed there to witness
to future generations. “And he spake
Parental Responsibility to Teach
unto the children of Israel, saying,
Children (Joshua 4:21, 22): The
When your children shall ask their
implication of the statements of the
fathers in time to come, saying, What
two verses denotes that children
were to have their inquiries directed
mean these stones? Then ye shall let
to their parents, thus showing
your children know, saying, Israel
the divine directive of children
came over this Jordan on dry land”
observing the authority of their
(Joshua 4:21, 22). They were there to
parents. While others, such as
Manna
Children: the meaning strongly
identifies the relationship between
a father and his offspring. It leaves
no question as to the family
relationship. The word often refers
to the male gender and can mean
a young man, as a young son still
under his father’s care. Word
Study #1121.
school teachers, Sunday School
teachers and pastors, can be helpful,
the ultimate responsibility of
instructing children rests squarely
with parents. Such was the pattern
in Hebrew households, as shown in
the Old Testament Scriptures, and
the pattern has continued through
the concepts of the New Testament.
Unfortunately, some parents have
abdicated this responsibility with
some cases providing the impetus
for children being given instruction
which is detrimental to them
and which could adversely affect
subsequent generations.
witness of the mercy of God. “For the
Lord your God dried up the waters of
Jordan from before you, until ye were
passed over, as the Lord your God did
to the Red sea, which he dried up from
before us, until we were gone over” (verse 23). They were there to witness of
the faithfulness of God. “For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst
of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the Lord commanded Joshua to
speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the
people hasted and passed over” (Joshua 4:10). The priest stayed in midstream
until the crossing was finished. Jesus will complete the work He has begun in
34 / Joshua 3; 4
the believer (Eph. 1:13, 14; Phil. 1:6). They were there to witness of the grace of
God. “And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of
the Lord were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests’
feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto
their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before” (Joshua 4:18). The
Israelites were there to witness of the power of God. “That all the people of the
earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear
the Lord your God for ever” (Joshua 4:24).
CONCLUSION
We must learn to walk with faith in God and His Word. If we walk by sight,
every little stream we come to will be a barrier that we cannot cross. Walking
by faith we know that God can conquer all.
We must join together in prayer asking God to give us leaders who will
follow Him, will stand in the midst of our Jordan and will lead us safely to the
other side. Praise God we do not have to cross Jordan alone.
Are we setting up monuments for the Lord? Are we leaving a good Christian
heritage for our children? When they ask, do we have the right answers? Have
we made the crossing? Trust the Lord, and He will safely see you across.
Lesson 4
Captain of the Host—
Conquering Jericho
Joshua 5; 6
This lesson presents the essentials of the victorious life. The Lord outlined
five essential things for us needed to have a victorious life. Warfare requires
preparation, much preparation. Before an army marches into battle, many
things must be done. Weapons and equipment have to be stockpiled and
checked. Food and water supply must be made available and stored. Strategy
must be planned and put in place. Soldiers must be trained and prepared for
battle.
An important preparation is often overlooked, and that is spiritual preparedness. Israel entered the Promised Land and was prepared for battle. Would
they be victorious or would they be driven out? Would they be triumphant, or
would they be victims? Would they be conquerors, or would they become slaves
again?
For Israel, the answer lay in spiritual preparation. The Israelites were
the chosen people of the living God. They were the seed of Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob, and the people chosen to inherit the land of promise. Their most
important training was spiritual commitment to God. Victory was certain if
they followed God and His plan. Defeat was certain if they turned from God
and disobeyed. Spiritual preparation is not an option, but an absolute essential.
ESSENTIAL ONE—WE MUST MAKE THE CROSSING
Joshua 5:1
Everyone needs to be ready for the battle (Num. 32:6, 7). Failure to prepare
and go is a sin against our Commander, the Lord (verses 20-23). Preparedness
and going forth with the Lord disarms the enemy. “And it came to pass, when
all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and
all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the Lord had
dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were
passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more,
because of the children of Israel” (Joshua 5:1).
Crossing the Jordan pictures leaving the old life for a new life. The old life of
the Israelites had been a defeated life of enslavement, oppression and suffering
in Egypt (Ex. 1:13, 14). The people of Israel had lived a life of complaining,
grumbling, murmuring and unbelief (Ex. 15:24; 16:2; 17:2). Theirs had been a
life of fear and lack of faith in their commitment to God (Num. 13:30-33).
35
36 / Joshua 5; 6
Crossing Jordan, the Israelites actually stood in the Promised Land. This
offered them hope and a victorious life with God. Crossing Jordan meant a
new beginning and a new life. Before them was the hope of victory over all
their enemies and a place of security, protection and provision by God’s hand.
Here their lives would find purpose and significance. The Lord was with them
to guide them daily, but they had to cross over to experience the victorious life.
We, too, must cross over. We must put off the old and put on the new. There is a
new beginning and new life in Christ (Rom. 6:6). There is a life of righteousness
that conquers the world. (verses 11-13). Once on the other side of Jordan we
will find a renewed spirit, mind and body that is ready for committed service (2
Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:22-24).
ESSENTIAL TWO—WE MUST IDENTIFY WITH THE LORD
Joshua 5:2-9
Joshua obeyed the Lord. “At that time the Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee
sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. And
Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the
hill of the foreskins” (Joshua 5:2, 3). Two reasons are given for this action by
Joshua and the Lord. First of all, Israel needed to restore their commitment to
their covenant relationship with God. “And this is the cause why Joshua did
circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the
men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt”
(verse 4). The first generation that came out of Egypt died in the wilderness.
They had the sign of commitment to the covenant, but their children did not.
The first generation died because they broke the covenant and, thus, God
would not show them the Promised Land. “For the children of Israel walked
forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which
came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the
Lord: unto whom the Lord sware that he would not shew them the land, which
the Lord sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth
with milk and honey” (verse 6). The second generation was raised up by God
to stand in the place of their fathers. “And their children, whom he raised up
in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because
they had not circumcised them by the way” (verse 7). The men were disabled
while they healed. “And it came to pass,
when they had done circumcising all the
Gilgal: the name is from a root
people, that they abode in their places
word meaning a turning in a circle
in the camp, till they were whole” (verse
as with a whirlwind or wheel. As
8). This tested their faith in God. What if
the Israelites crossed Jordan, they
the Canaanites were to launch an attack
camped at a place God named
during their time of weakness?
Gilgal (Joshua 5:9). God had
Second, they were circumcised to roll
brought them full circle through
away the reproach of Egypt. “And the Lord
Egypt and back to the land of
Abraham. Word Studies #1534
said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled
and #1537.
away the reproach of Egypt from off you.
Wherefore the name of the place is called
Captain of the Host—Conquering Jericho / 37
Gilgal unto this day” (verse 9). While they were slaves in Egypt, they knew the
ridicule and mockery of their neighbors. On the way to the Promised Land,
there was the ridicule that they would all die in the wilderness. Standing in the
Promised Land, the people of Israel were finally removed from the reproach of
the world.
What does this ritual of circumcision say to believers today? God never
intended circumcision to be a ritual. It was a physical sign that one belonged
to God. It was a sign of spiritual truth. A sign that one’s faith and heart was
God’s (Deut. 10:16; 30:6). The mark of a true Jew is not circumcision of the
flesh but of the heart. “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is
that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew, which is one
inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the
letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God” (Rom. 2:28, 29). Jesus Christ has
performed a spiritual circumcision upon believers. He has cut away the sin
nature of the old man (Col. 2:10-12). This makes believers a part of the true
circumcision (Phil. 3:3).
Circumcision—the cutting away of the flesh means one is renouncing the
flesh and all human effort in approaching God. Baptism: The immersion of
a believer in water means one has died to sin and self and the past and is
identifying in picture with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection (Luke 9:23;
Rom. 6:3).
Circumcision means one is willing to believe God and to be identified with
Him no matter the pain or cost. Baptism pictures one who is being raised to
walk in newness of life, willing to live for Christ no matter the cost (Rom. 6:4).
Circumcision means one is identified with the people of God. Baptism shows
one who is willing to be identified with the followers of Christ and His New
Testament churches (Acts 2:41, 42).
Note that both of these rituals are merely outward signs of something that
has already taken place inwardly. They are the shadows or types and not the
substance (Col. 2:13-17). This does not diminish the importance of the rite
of baptism. These men were not circumcised to become Israelites. They were
already Israelites. It showed their commitment to God’s covenant. Baptism is
the outward sign of the believer’s inward faith. To neglect or reject it is to be
disobedient to God.
ESSENTIAL THREE—WE MUST
REMEMBER THE SHED BLOOD
Joshua 5:10
“And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the
fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho” (Joshua 5:10). This
returned Israel’s focus to the power that had saved them from their terrible
fate in Egypt (the world). This is a picture of true conversion. Believers trust in
Jesus Christ, their Passover Lamb. This is the day the judgment of God passes
over the believer (1 Cor. 5:7, 8). This is the day the believer is born again to a
new life (John 3:3; 2 Cor. 5:17). The Passover lamb was a type of Christ, the
Lamb of God. “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
38 / Joshua 5; 6
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as
silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your
fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
without spot” (1 Peter 1:18, 19).
ESSENTIAL FOUR—WE MUST REMAIN
FREE FROM SIN
Joshua 5:11, 12
“And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the
passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day. And the
manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land;
neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit
of the land of Canaan that year” (Joshua 5:11, 12). The feast of unleavened
bread lasted seven days. During this time, all leaven was removed from their
presence. Unleavened spoke of no contamination but purity and righteousness.
This feast spoke of the urgency to separate and be free from sin. We must
sense the urgency to be free from sin and the world. Sinners must seek to be
under Christ’s blood before the judgment of God falls upon their sin. There
is no escape apart from His salvation. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so
great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was
confirmed unto us by them that heard him”? (Heb. 2:3). True believers are to
act quickly to put sin out of their lives (Gal. 5:7-9; 2 Tim. 2:21). Partaking of
unleavened bread is a picture of taking on the sinless or righteous nature of
Christ (2 Cor 5:21). True believers have no part with evil; they shun its very
appearance (1 Thess. 5:22).
ESSENTIAL FIVE—WE MUST OBEY
THE COMMANDER
Joshua 5:13-17
An encounter with the Lord is a must. “And it came to pass, when Joshua
was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood
a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went
unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?” (Joshua
5:13). Joshua’s encounter came when he was alone. Joshua’s encounter came
while he was viewing the enemy and preparing for battle. Joshua needed time
alone with God. Apparently he was praying. It was when he lifted up his eyes
that things changed. Joshua needed to know if the Man was for them.
Joshua stood in the presence of the Captain of the host of the Lord. “And he
said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come” (verse 14).
Who is this Captain of the host of the Lord? He is the personal representative
of the Lord. He, as the Captain, was sent with the credentials and authority
of God. The “angel of the Lord” appeared many times in the Old Testament to
various people. In these instances, He is the Second Person of the Godhead,
Jesus Christ. The “angel of the Lord” appeared to Moses at the burning bush
(Ex. 3:2). This angel identified himself by saying: “I am the God of thy father,
the God of Abraham” (verse 6). The “angel of the Lord” is also identified as the
“angel of God” in the Old Testament (Judges 6:20). Joshua recognized the angel
as God’s messenger. “And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship,
and said unto him, What saith my
lord unto his servant?” (Joshua 5:14).
Note Joshua’s humility—He “fell on
his face to the earth” (verse 14). Note
Joshua’s worship—“and did worship.”
This is the strongest proof that this
was Jesus Christ. Angelic hosts do
not receive worship (Rev. 19:9, 10).
The message of the Lord was
a message of assurance. “And the
captain of the Lord’s host said unto
Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy
foot; for the place whereon thou
standest is holy. And Joshua did so”
(Joshua 5:15). The battle was the
Lord’s and He had already planned
the battle and won the victory. This
encounter was a result of prayer.
“According as we hearkened unto
Moses in all things, so will we
hearken unto thee: only the Lord
thy God be with thee, as he was with
Moses” (Joshua 1:17).
Manna
The Captain of the Lord’s Host
(Joshua 5:14): The presence of the
stranger was indicative of the real
authority rankings in the camp of
Israel. Even with respect to the
military interests of the nation,
they were to be subservient to the
sovereign God of Heaven. Though
Joshua was the confirmed human
leader of the nation, both politically
and militarily, he recognized that
the Lord Himself was the ultimate
leader. As Captain of the Lord’s
host, the message was clear: God
sent His Son, Jesus, to Joshua and
the nation in an Old Testament
appearance of the Savior, which is
referred to as a theophany. The act
of Joshua in bowing in worship in
His presence, and the Captain not
stopping nor rebuking the act was
confirmation that the Captain of the
Lord’s host was Jesus.
FAITH THAT BELIEVES GOD’S WORD
Joshua 6:1-5
The strategy to conquer Jericho was unique. The plan was laid out by God
Himself. To men, the plan seemed foolish. Although the plan did not seem
logical from man’s point of view, Joshua believed God would give them victory.
Faith in God is the most powerful weapon of force in the world. The world is in
constant warfare—nations, neighbors and families. There is hope and it comes
by faith in Jesus Christ. God will give us power to conquer all the enemies of
life.
Jericho appeared to be unconquerable. “Now Jericho was straitly shut up
because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in” (Joshua
6:1). The gates of the city were shut tight. No one went in or out. Israel was
not trained or equipped to take a walled city. This fact had discouraged their
fathers (Num. 13:28). Jericho appeared to be a mighty invincible fortress. It
stands as a picture of the enemies that God’s people face daily (Eph. 6:11-13).
There were five ways to take a walled city at that time in history. (1) Scale the
walls with ladders and ramps. (2) Dig a tunnel under the wall and attack at
night. (3) Battering rams to break down the gates and walls. (4) Lay siege and
starve them out. (5) Use deception by making a false truce. From man’s view,
it looked hopeless. Israel had no ladders or ramps to scale the walls. Israel
had no battering rams to break down the gates. What they did have was God’s
assurance that His plan would bring them victory.
40 / Joshua 5; 6
The Commander in Chief, the
Lord Himself, gave clear commands
to Joshua. Victory was assured. All
The City of Jericho (Joshua 6:2):
he had to do was follow orders.“And
Jericho was an intensely fortified
the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I
city which, in the human sense of
have
given into thine hand Jericho,
the word, was impenetrable. But the
city was not dealing with the people
and the king thereof, and the mighty
of another country. They were
men of valour” (Joshua 6:2). Order
dealing with Israel, the covenant
number 1—Have the soldiers march
people of God. Additionally, Israel
around Jericho once a day for six days
was led by the Lord God Himself.
(verse 3). Order number 2—Seven
As the Israelites were preparing to
make their assault on the fortified
priests were to march in front of the
city, the Lord declared victory to
ark and each priest was to carry a
Joshua before anything happened.
ram’s horn trumpet (verse 4). Order
In God’s mind, the event was
number 3—On the seventh day,
already history because He had
they were to march around Jericho
determined it to be so. Joshua’s
response of obedience, shown by his
seven times, and blow the trumpets
leading the priests and the people to
(verse 4). Order number 4—When
prepare themselves to be ready for
the trumpet blasted, all the people
the city to be overthrown according
were to shout (ruwa—split the ears)
to the mandate of Jehovah, made
with a great shout (teruw’ah—battle
him and the nation partners with
God. That arrangement ensured
cry, sound an alarm (verse 5). Order
complete victory.
number 5—When the walls fell flat,
the people were to go into the city
(verse 5).
Militarily, this seemed a foolish plan. Yet, it was God’s plan. Like Egypt, the
Red Sea, the wilderness journey and the crossing of Jordan there would be
no question about who delivered Israel. There is only one way to conquer the
world. It is believing and following God’s plan. There is only one way to defeat
Satan. We believe and follow God’s plan. The victorious life comes by hearing,
believing, and following God’s Word (Rom. 10:17). Those who are conquerors
in this life read, study and apply the Word of God (2 Tim. 2:15). Christ has
won the victory for us. Our task is to claim the victory by faith in Jesus Christ
(John 16:33). Jesus conquered sin, death, hell and the grave for us (Rom 8:3;
Gal 5:24). Satan has been defeated for us by Jesus Christ (John 12:31, 32; Heb.
2:14, 15).
Manna
FAITH THAT OBEYS GOD
Joshua 6:6-10
Joshua commanded the priests to take their place in the ranks. “And Joshua
the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the
covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the
ark of the Lord” (Joshua 6:6). Here again we see the picture of God’s presence
and guidance in the conquest of Jericho. The ark is mentioned eight times. This
marked a new beginning for the nation of Israel.
Joshua commanded the soldiers to take
their place in the ranks. “And he said unto
Rereward: the meaning comes
from a gathering or collecting of
the people, Pass on, and compass the city,
something or some persons to a
and let him that is armed pass on before
common location. In the context
the ark of the Lord” (Joshua 6:7). The
of the moving of the ark of Israel,
priests and the soldiers obeyed orders.
soldiers, as rear guards or the
“And it came to pass, when Joshua had
rereward, gathered in a group and
spoken unto the people, that the seven
followed the ark. Word Study
priests bearing the seven trumpets of
#622.
rams’ horns passed on before the Lord,
and blew with the trumpets: and the ark
of the covenant of the Lord followed them. And the armed men went before the
priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward [acaph = rear guard]
came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets”
(verses 8, 9). The front guard marched in front of the ark; and the rear guard
marched behind the ark. The presence of the Lord was in the midst. The people
also obeyed the commands of Joshua. “And Joshua had commanded the people,
saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall
any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall
ye shout” (verse 10).
FAITH THAT IS PATIENT
ENDURES TO THE END
Joshua 6:11-16
They all did as ordered for the six appointed days. No one asked, “How long
do we have to keep this up?” “So the ark of the Lord compassed the city, going
about it once: and they came into the
camp, and lodged in the camp. And
Trumpet: the trumpet is a reference to
Joshua rose early in the morning,
the “shofar” horn. It was made from a
and the priests took up the ark of the
ram’s horn. A shofar horn was used in
Lord. And seven priests bearing seven
many ways in the Hebrew culture and
trumpets of rams’ horns before the
especially in religious activities, such as,
ark of the Lord went on continually,
being blown on the day of atonement
and blew with the trumpets: and the
to begin Jubilee (Lev. 25:9). Israel would
blow seven of these horns as they
armed men went before them; but
circled Jericho the seventh time on the
the rereward came after the ark of
seventh day (Joshua 6:16). Word Study
the Lord, the priests going on, and
#7782.
blowing with the trumpets. And the
Shout: the meaning comes from the idea
second day they compassed the city
of marring or damaging a thing. It is
once, and returned into the camp:
to make a loud intense noise with the
so they did six days” (verses 11-14).
voice. Understanding or language is not
Faith will go to work. Faith does not
necessary, but the word only requires
stand still. It is not enough to say, “I
a noise. The noise possesses such
believe.” If we believe, we will obey
characteristics that it will possibly harm
the human ear and alarm the hearts of
(Deut. 26:16; John 14:21). We show
the hearers. Word Study #7321.
the type of faith we have by the work
we perform (James 2:17, 18).
42 / Joshua 5; 6
The seventh day was the day of spiritual completion of the battle. Their faith
was tried and proven. The army and priests marched around the city seven
times—patiently and faithfully waiting on the Lord. “And it came to pass on the
seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed
the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed
the city seven times” (Joshua 6:15). The priests sounded the trumpet blast. The
command was given for the people to shout. This was the battle cry as well as
the noise of triumph. “And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests
blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath
given you the city” (verse 16).
Persistent faith is always victorious. Those on the walls of Jericho likely
wondered for six days as the people of Israel marched around the city once and
returned to their camp. What are these Israelites doing? On the seventh day,
they marched around not once but continued not twice but seven times. What
are they up to now? The unbelieving world is full of critics and doubters. But
enduring faith claims the victory (1 Cor. 15:58; Gal. 6:9).
FAITH THAT BELIEVES
THE JUDGMENT OF GOD
Joshua 6:17-19
All of Jericho was doomed except Rahab and those in her house. “And the
city shall be accursed, even it,
and all that are therein, to the
Lord: only Rahab the harlot shall
The Accursed Thing (Joshua 6:18): The
live,
she and all that are with her
Israelites were commanded to destroy
in
the
house, because she hid the
everyone and everything in Jericho
messengers that we sent” (Joshua
with the exception of Rahab and those
of her household who were harbored
6:17). God’s judgment will fall on
within her residence. Everything
the unbelieving (John 3:18, 19).
else was considered “accursed.” The
Every man and woman will stand
temptation to take anything through
before God (Matt. 25:31-33; Jude
the pillaging of the city was earnestly
14, 15).
discouraged. Anyone of the camp
The destruction of Jericho was
of Israel who violated the command
would not only jeopardize himself, but
accomplished to keep Israel pure
the entire nation as well. In addition
from the accursed. “And ye, in
to the historical narrative, the truths
any wise keep yourselves from
drawn from the events have lasting
the accursed thing, lest ye make
value. A single person may sin, but the
yourselves accursed, when ye take
consequences of his sin may have an
of the accursed thing, and make
adverse effect on a family, a community
or a New Testament church.
the camp of Israel a curse, and
trouble it” (Joshua 6:18). The Lord
demands spiritual separation and
purity of His children (Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 6:17, 18). Soldiers of the cross stay
ready for battle (2 Tim. 2:4).
The destruction of Jericho was done to bring glory and honor to God. “But
all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the
Lord: they shall come into the treasury of the Lord” (Joshua 6:19). Remember
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we cannot out give the Lord (1 Chron. 16:28, 29). We owe God everything. He
seeks an offering of praise (Heb. 13:15).
FAITH THAT CLAIMS
VICTORY BY GOD’S POWER
Joshua 6:20-23
The towering walls of the enemy
came tumbling down when God’s
orders were followed. “So the people
shouted when the priests blew with
God’s Right in Judgment (Joshua
the trumpets: and it came to pass,
6:21): From the standpoint of
when the people heard the sound of
humane treatment, one may
be tempted to question the
the trumpet, and the people shouted
judgment of God. However, God
with a great shout, that the wall fell
is all wise and all knowing. His
down flat, so that the people went
judgment, because He is the God
up into the city, every man straight
of perfect wisdom, judgment,
before him, and they took the city”
and righteousness, should never
(Joshua 6:20). This is complete and
be questioned. He is to be
full victory by the Word of God. “And
unreservedly obeyed. Because
they utterly destroyed all that was in
the Lord possesses infinite
foreknowledge, He can foresee
the city, both man and woman, young
things clearly. As human beings, we
and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass,
do not possess that unique attribute.
with the edge of the sword” (verse
God had insisted on Israel being
21).
completely separated from the
The Christian’s enemies are
Canaanites, without question. To
innumerable, but there is hope.
pillage the spoils would have
Victory is achieved by faith. The
violated the command of the Lord
enemy is out to overthrow us. The
regarding that separation and
caused contamination leading to
list is long—the carnal-minded, the
severe chastisement.
immoral, the wicked, the greedy, the
deceitful, the lawless, the abusive
and vengeful (Psalm 44:5; Rom.
6:13). God keeps His Word to the faithful. Rahab and those in her house were
brought out safe and sound. “But Joshua had said unto the two men that had
spied out the country, Go into the harlot’s house, and bring out thence the
woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her. And the young men that
were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and
her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and
left them without the camp of Israel” (Joshua 6:22, 23). Because of her faith
Rahab’s house did not fall with the walls. Rahab went from a life as a harlot to
be the mother of Boaz (Ruth’s husband), the great-great-grandmother of David,
and her name is in the lineage of Christ. It is for us to go forward and call the
unbelieving to Christ pulling them from the fires of judgment and damnation.
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FAITH THAT DISCERNS
BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL
Joshua 6:24-27
The accursed of the city was burned while things of value were given to the
Lord. “And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver,
44 / Joshua 5; 6
and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of
the house of the Lord” (Joshua 6:24). Joshua saved all that pertained to Rahab.
“And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all
that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the
messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho” (verse 25).
Joshua cursed any man who would rebuild Jericho. “And Joshua adjured
them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth
up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his
firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it” (verse 26). This
was fulfilled in the days of Ahab.
Joshua was elevated in the eyes of the people. “So the Lord was with Joshua;
and his fame was noised throughout all the country” (Joshua 6:27).
CONCLUSION
God has a battle plan for victory. The presence of God is always to go before
His people. God will give the victory when His people follow Him by faith. There
are times when we need a special experience with God. The greatest and most
needful is the experience of grace (Rom. 5:15). Believers need an encounter
with the Lord daily to meet with loneliness, discouragement, accidents, death
or some problem.
Jesus is the answer to a victorious life. Make the crossing today. If Jordan
stands before you, the grace of God will roll it back, and His mercy will bring
you over. Will you listen to and follow the Commander Jesus?
Lesson 5
Achan—Causing Confusion
Joshua 7—10
Many different emotions are experienced by those who fail—discouragement
and depression; distress and downheartedness, demoralization and remorse.
Such emotions are serious for God’s people. This can cause them to live defeated
lives. The Scriptures declare such emotions can be conquered.
Israel had experienced a great victory at Jericho. Joy and excitement
overwhelmed their hearts. The future looked certain and gloriously bright, but
the hammer dropped. Their soldiers were routed, defeated and thirty-six of
them died. Questions of fear and doubt quickly arose in the camp.
SIN IS THE CAUSE OF DEFEAT
Joshua 7:1
Israel was clearly instructed not to take any plunder from cities or homes of
the Canaanites. “And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing,
lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make
the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it”
(Joshua 6:18). Sin has far reaching effects.
No one lives unto himself. Everything
Committed a Trespass: the
we do affects others. Israel moved from
meaning is to act toward another
in an unfaithful manner, even to act
victory to defeat because of the accursed
in treachery. The trespass assumes
actions of one person. “But the children
a law exists and the guilty party
of Israel committed a trespass in the
breaks that law. He trespasses not
accursed thing: for Achan, the son of
only in action, but also in heart, for
Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah,
the trespass begins in the heart
of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed
(Matt. 15:18). Word Studies #4603
thing” (Joshua 7:1). Remember, it often
and #4604.
takes only one to break the fellowship or
the flow of God’s blessings. Yet, the whole
nation of Israel was charged. When a church knows of sin in the camp and does
not act, the whole congregation becomes guilty before God.
One soldier’s sin affected the whole nation. Remember that the one who
sinned did not live in isolation. No man is an island unto himself (Rom. 14:7).
There is a corporate responsibility for one another. This is true in our country.
“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov.
14:34). This is true in a church, because believers are one in Christ. “So we,
being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another”
45
46 / Joshua 7—10
(Rom. 12:5). This is true in our homes or wherever we may be. “Wisdom is
better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good” (Eccl. 9:18).
SIN BRINGS FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES
Joshua 7:1-4
Sin aroused the anger of the Lord. “And the anger [from the Hebrew word
aph—which is when a person’s nose is flared red] of the Lord was kindled
[from the Hebrew word charah—glowing or blazing] against the children of
Israel” (Joshua 7:1). The justice of God had to be executed and vindicated.
The Canaanites were an idolatrous and evil people who had been judged and
condemned by God, but now the people of Israel had sinned. They must be
judged. This shows that God is not a respecter of persons. Peter learned this at
the house of Cornelius. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I
perceive that God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34).
Sin brings defeat by our enemies. Trouble and defeat await us when we
move without the Lord. “And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is
beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Beth-el, and spake unto them, saying, Go
up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai” (Joshua 7:2).
Self-confidence can get us in trouble. Our strength is in the Lord (Psalm 22:19).
The report was all is well. They too were trusting the arm of the flesh. “And
they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but
let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the
people to labour thither; for they are but few” (Joshua 7:3). Ai was a smaller
city than Jericho with a smaller army. Joshua and the men of war reasoned
that the whole army was not needed. “So there went up thither of the people
about three thousand men: and they fled
before the men of Ai” (verse 4).
Melted: the idea is that a force
Sin in the camp brought discouragement
causes a solid to liquefy. The
and a paralyzed spirit. The people of Israel
context, referring to a condition of
now acted like the citizens of Jericho. “And
the heart, means something causes
a heart to faint with fatigue or
the men of Ai smote of them about thirty
become discouraged. It is to have
and six men: for they chased them from
weakness of confidence and surety.
before the gate even unto Shebarim, and
While the word here refers to the
smote them in the going down: wherefore
reason for the melting, the word
the hearts of the people melted [from
“faint” in Joshua 2:9 refers to the
the Hebrew word masas—to faint], and
result. Word Study #4549.
became as water” (verse 5). The difference
at Jericho, the people of Israel followed
and trusted the Lord. At Ai, they looked to the arm of the flesh and were dealing
with sin in the camp.
SIN IS CONQUERED BY FACING THE LORD
Joshua 7:6-26
The remedy is intercession with the Lord. Joshua’s humbleness is an
example for us. “And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his
face before the ark of the Lord until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel,
and put dust upon their heads” (verse 6). The Lord forms a battle line against
the proud. It is the humble who receive His grace and are lifted up (James 4:6,
Achan—Causing Confusion / 47
10). Joshua’s confusion came from
a burdened and strickened heart.
“And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord God,
wherefore hast thou at all brought
this people over Jordan, to deliver
us into the hand of the Amorites, to
destroy us?” (Joshua 7:7). Confusion
is before us when the enemy prevails
just as it was with Israel and the
psalmist (Psalm 44:15, 16). Note the
questions of doubt that now buzzed
through the camp. “Would to God
we had been content, and dwelt on
the other side Jordan! O Lord, what
shall I say, when Israel turneth their
backs before their enemies!” (Joshua
7:7, 8). Joshua was concerned the
Environ Us Round: the meaning
is to encircle, surround or move
around the border of a place or
thing. It suggests a determined
movement on the border with
the threat of encroachment. This
surrounding might cause fear in the
hearts of those being surrounding.
Word Studies #5437 and #5921.
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Putting Dust on the Head (Joshua
7:6): The defeat of the nation of
Israel at Ai marked a reverse
development from previous
encounters with the Canaanites.
After the nation crossed the Jordan
River, they had never known
defeat since God’s presence and
involvement ensured those victories.
Before understanding what had
happened and why God removed
His protection, the nation suffered
a humiliating defeat. Since only
thirty-six men were killed, the act
of Joshua and the elders of Israel
engaging in customary acts of grief
and mourning would show that it
was prompted by something much
larger. They were lamenting the fact
that the nation had suffered its only
defeat in Canaan, and Joshua knew
that the Lord was responsible for
the previous victories. Putting or
casting dust on the head identified
the belief that man was from dust to
dust and the potential of the nation’s
demise through the physical death
of its citizens was recognized as a
potential reality.
Lord would be blasphemed by their enemies. “For the Canaanites and all the
inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off
our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?” (verse
9). Joshua feared the enemy would not spare the people of Israel. Satan has no
grace or mercy for the children of God. Joshua asked God to protect His name.
The remedy is to stop and hear the Word of God. The Lord encouraged
Joshua to stand up. “And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore
liest thou thus upon thy face?” (verse 10). There is a time to humble ourselves
and pray, and there comes a time to get up and fight the good fight of faith (1
Tim. 6:12). Remember the war is won in the trenches with the Lord. The battle
must be turned over to Him (1 Sam. 17:47).
The people of Israel were charged with sin. The sin of one affected all in
the camp. “Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant
which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and
have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their
own stuff” (Joshua 7:11). Remember the sin happened while God was giving
48 / Joshua 7—10
them victory over Jericho. Achan
violated God’s covenant. Achan took
that which belonged to God. Achan
lied about his actions. When we hold
Israel Hath Sinned – Collective
Responsibility (Joshua 7:11): Since
back our tithes and offerings, we are
the entire nation was admonished
robbing and stealing from God. We
not to take of the spoils at Ai, those
become as guilty at Achan. “Will a
items were considered by the
man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me.
Lord to be accursed. When Achan
But ye say, Wherein have we robbed
committed the sin, even though it
thee? In tithes and offerings” (Malachi
was not widely known, it was as
3:8).
though the entire nation had sinned.
God could not have continued to
God explained why the people of
grant victory across the land of
Israel were defeated. “Therefore the
Canaan as long as Israel was in
children of Israel could not stand
violation of the covenant between
before their enemies, but turned their
them and Jehovah. Until the “sin in
backs before their enemies, because
the camp” was properly dealt with,
they were accursed: neither will I be
the nation would remain estranged
from the Lord and the bounty of His
with you any more, except ye destroy
blessings and continued success in
the accursed from among you” (Joshua
their conquests.
7:12). Sin and its consequences are
always dooming. Sin alienated the
people of Israel from God’s blessings.
It was not God who had moved. It was sin that put the distance between them
and the Lord. “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save;
neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated
between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he
will not hear” (Isa. 59:1, 2).
The Lord commanded Joshua to tell the people to clean up the camp and
themselves. “Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to
morrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the
midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take
away the accursed thing from among you” (Joshua 7:13). They were to seek out
the sin and the sinner and remove the accursed thing. Each person, one by one,
was to pass in review before the judgment seat. “In the morning therefore ye
shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be, that the tribe which
the Lord taketh shall come according to the families thereof; and the family
which the Lord shall take shall come by households; and the household which
the Lord shall take shall come man by man” (verse 14). This is a reminder that
believers will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and give accounts of
their lives (Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10). Israel was to execute judgment on the guilty.
“And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt
with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant
of the Lord, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel” (Joshua 7:15). It is of
the utmost importance that we hear and heed the Word of God as the people of
Israel did. It is His Word that makes us clean. “Now ye are clean through the
word which I have spoken unto you” (John 15:3). Jesus, in His prayer for the
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apostles, the church and believers in
this age said, “Sanctify them through
thy truth: thy word is truth” (John
17:17).
The Temptation Trilogy (Joshua
The remedy involved uncovering
7:21): Since the Lord had placed
and identifying the sin and the sinner.
a prohibition upon the earthly
Joshua began early. He did not look
spoils of the vanquished foes of
the Hebrews, Satan employed the
for a better time. “So Joshua rose up
three elements of carnality which
early in the morning, and brought
he used to tempt Achan to consider
Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of
sinning against the Lord and His
Judah was taken” (Joshua 7:16). As
covenant. First, there was the “lust
the tribes and families passed, the
of the eyes.” (1 John 2:16). After
Zarhite clan and the family of Zadbi
understanding the clear command
was pointed out. “And he brought
of the Lord, Achan allowed himself
to linger long at beholding the
the family of Judah; and he took the
earthly value of the spoils. Second,
family of the Zarhites: and he brought
there was the “lust of the flesh”
the family of the Zarhites man by
(verse 16). Achan personally coveted
man; and Zabdi was taken: and he
the forbidden vessels, manifesting
brought his household man by man;
an evil desire for that which had
and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son
been disapproved by God. And
of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe
third, there was the “pride of life”
(verse 16). After having a long,
of Judah, was taken” (verses 17, 18).
lingering look upon the accursed
The guilty man was named Achan.
articles and manifesting an evil
Joshua urged Achan to confess and
desire for them in his heart, he
tell the truth. “And Joshua said unto
finally succumbed to the pride in his
Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory
heart and took the accursed things
to the Lord God of Israel, and make
and hid them from Joshua and the
confession unto him; and tell me now
nation, believing he would escape
any accounting to God or the nation.
what thou hast done; hide it not from
me” (verse 19). Achan confessed his
sin. “And Achan answered Joshua,
and said, Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and
thus have I done: when I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment,
and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight,
then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth
in the midst of my tent, and the silver
under it” (verses 20, 21). Note the road to
Valley of Achor: the meaning is to
his downfall. He saw. He coveted. He took.
trouble, stir or cause to be upset
He hid. Does this sound familiar? Satan
and changed from the norm. The
is still at it today. Joshua sent messengers
meaning is a negative one in that it
who brought the evidence before the court.
suggests that an activity caused bad
“So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran
results. The condition here does
unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in
not preexist, but, due to the action
of one, the trouble comes. Word
his tent, and the silver under it. And they
Studies #5911 and #5916.
took them out of the midst of the tent, and
brought them unto Joshua, and unto all
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50 / Joshua 7—10
the children of Israel, and laid them
out before the Lord” (verses 22, 23).
The remedy involved rooting out and
Death Penalty (Joshua 7:25): Two
judging the sin and the sinner. The
essential developments occurred
judgment was that Achan, his family
after Achan took the accursed
and all his possessions would be
vessels of Ai. First, he alone was the
taken out of the camp and destroyed.
perpetrator and, second, since he
hid the articles in his family’s tent,
This pictures the cleansing of the
his entire household was rendered
camp. The people of Israel stoned
guilty. Achan had violated a national
Achan and his family. All of Achan’s
ban on the accursed things which
belongings were burned. This pictures
was imposed by the Lord, and it
the cleansing from sin. “And Joshua,
had a negative effect on the entire
and all Israel with him, took Achan
nation of Israel. Verse 25 points out
the son of Zerah, and the silver, and
that Achan was particularly noted
in the condemnation, but later in
the garment, and the wedge of gold,
the verse it describes his children,
and his sons, and his daughters,
livestock and all his possessions as
and his oxen, and his asses, and his
being destroyed. It was only after
sheep, and his tent, and all that he
every single trace of Achan’s sin
had: and they brought them unto the
was properly dealt with that the
valley of Achor. And Joshua said, Why
Lord again began to bless the nation
hast thou troubled us? the Lord shall
and assist them in their continuing
pilgrimage into the Promised Land
trouble thee this day. And all Israel
to overcome the Canaanites who
stoned him with stones, and burned
dwelled in the land.
them with fire, after they had stoned
them with stones” (Joshua 7:24, 25).
The result was that the Lord was no longer angry. The right relationship with
God was restored.
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VICTORY AT LAST
Joshua 8:1-35
After God’s judgment upon Achan had been carried out, He was ready to
speak to Joshua, and Joshua was ready to listen. The Lord’s message began with
the words “Fear not” (Joshua 8:1). Joshua was given words of cheer, instruction
and promise. Victory was now inevitable since sin had been removed from the
camp. Victory was assured by the word of the Lord. Joshua did not hesitate in
obeying the Lord. He was instructed to rally the army of Israel. They were to
totally destroy the city of Ai in the same manner as they did at Jericho. They
were allowed to keep the spoils and the cattle for themselves. A part of the
battle plan against Ai was to set up an ambush.
Joshua and the people of Israel were victorious by obeying the word of the
Lord. Thirty thousand selected troops took their positions for battle during
the night. Special orders were given for them to wait in ambush near the city
(verses 3, 4). Joshua himself would lead the attack against Ai with the main
force being with him. When the men of Ai came out, Joshua and the men with
him would retreat. This would pull the men of Ai out in the open. The trap set,
those of Israel waiting in ambush would enter the city. After seizing the city
they would set it ablaze. The soldiers were commanded to obey the Word of the
Lord (verses 5-8). A special group of five thousand men was to wait in ambush
between Beth-el and Ai on the west side of the city. Joshua spent the night
with his men. Early the next morning, Joshua and the men with him marched
forward toward Ai. They were on the north side of the city where a valley lay
between them and Ai. Every man was ready, waiting and watching for Joshua’s
command. Once they were in place, it is important that we notice that Joshua
went by himself into the valley. Here before the sunrise he could be alone with
the Lord (verses 9-13).
Joshua and the people of Israel were victorious because they fought the good
fight of faith against the adversaries of the Lord. The King of Ai, still gloating
from his victory in the previous battle with Israel, was not aware of the Lord’s
battle plan. He saw the army of Israel ready for battle and rushed out to meet
it. He was blinded by pride and arrogance and did not see those waiting in
ambush. He believed, as before, that he was winning and that Israel was in
retreat. As a result, he sent orders for the rest of the men still in the city to join
him in the battle. He also sent to the city of Beth-el and they sent all their men
as well. They were thinking they would be rid of these Israelites once and for
all. This hasty strategy of the king was as the Lord planned and what Joshua
was waiting to see. This left both cities unprotected. The battle was the Lord’s.
He told Joshua when to order the attack from the ambush and when his soldiers
were to turn and fight. The ambush was sprung and the city set on fire. The
men of Ai were in the trap between their burning city and the army of Israel
which had turned against them and offered no place of retreat. The Israelite
elite force came out of the city, and Israel had the men of Ai surrounded. All
those of Ai, twelve thousand, perished in the battle save the king. Joshua held
up his spear as a sign of the Lord’s presence in the battle until full victory was
accomplished (verses 14-26). To the victor go the spoils. The cattle were taken
by Israel as prey for themselves. As for the city, Joshua had it burned and made
it a heap as a constant reminder of what happens to those who turn to idolatry
and serve strange gods. The king of Ai had been taken alive. Joshua hung him
on a tree and at sunset had him buried under a pile of stones near where the
city gate of Ai once stood (verses 27-29).
Joshua and the people of Israel coming from victory in battle and renewed
their vow to keep the word of the Lord. The altar Joshua built on Mount Ebal
was the fulfillment of the Lord’s command (Deut. 27:2-8). The scene reminds us
of the words of the psalmist concerning the Word of the Lord. “Open thou mine
eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (Psalm 119:18). Mount
Ebal is located in the middle of the land of promise. It was there that Israel
was commanded to put the curse (Deut. 11:29). The word Ebal means “stone or
bare mountain.” Joshua built a special altar for the Lord there. Note that the
altar was built in the place where the curse was placed (Joshua 8:30). This is
the truth the apostle Paul set forth to the Galatians. “Christ hath redeemed us
from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed
is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Gal. 3:13). The altar was made of whole
stones (Joshua 8:31). They were not to be cut or shaped in any way by man.
“And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn
52 / Joshua 7—10
stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it” (Ex. 20:25).
These were stones prepared by the Lord. Man’s hands would only pollute His
wondrous work. “Salvation is of the Lord” (Jonah 2:9).
As commanded by the Lord, Joshua wrote the Law on the prepared whole
stone (Joshua 8:31, 32). Half of the people of Israel were standing on Mount
Gerizim (cutting off), and the other half stood on Mount Ebal. The ark of the
covenant (picturing God’s presence), and the priests were standing between
the blessing and the cursing. With the battle over, the victory won and the
people of Israel in their place before the Lord, Joshua read all the words of the
Law (Joshua 8:34, 35).
AN UNWISE CHOICE
Joshua 9:1-27
Joshua, like all men, was subject to making mistakes. The mistake of
compromise is always costly. Parties on both sides of the issue will suffer loss.
Hearing what happened at Jericho and Ai, the various tribes and cities decided
to rally together to fight against the people of Israel with one accord (Joshua
9:1, 2). This is not unlike the Middle East situation today. The majority of the
Arab nations cannot get along with each other, but they will put up somewhat
of a united front to fight against Israel.
The men of Gibeon, hearing the news of Israel’s conquests, had a crafty
idea (Joshua 9:3, 4). Wilily is from the Hebrew word ormah (or-mah) meaning
“trickery, subtlety or craftiness.” This word is also translated wisdom. It may
have been trickery, but it was wise of the Gibeonites to try and save themselves
from annihilation. If we can’t beat them, we better join with them. They
pretended to have taken a far journey by dressing in worn and dirty clothing.
They also had dry and moldy bread with them (Joshua 9:5). This is a reminder
to us of what the apostle Paul called “the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11). The
Greek word methodeia (meth-od-i-ah) means “to act with deceit or trickery.”
Satan and his followers are experts at that deceit of covering up their true
identity and agenda. We, like Joshua and the people of Israel, are faced with a
cunning enemy.
Israel was still camped at Gilgal. The Gibeonites came to Joshua and said,
“We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us”
(Joshua 9:6). The word league is from the Hebrew word beriyth (ber-eeth)
meaning “to make a covenant by cutting a sacrifice.” The Gibeonites sought
to ally themselves with Israel, but it was for no good purpose other than they
feared being destroyed (verses 7-13). The first mistake was allowing them into
the camp of Israel at all. Next, “the men took of their victuals, and asked not
counsel at the mouth of the Lord” (verse 14). Did they think after the victory
at Ai that they had everything under control? Trouble is certain when we move
without the Lord’s blessing. Joshua and the people of Israel had every right
to question the Gibeonites. Why would idolaters want to join with those who
served Jehovah? The answer is simple. Satan desires to plant his troublemakers
where they can do the most harm. Members of a New Testament church have
every right to question anyone who asks to join their fellowship. Is he saved?
Does he have scriptural baptism? What does he believe? Such questioning will
aid in keeping them free from doctrinal error. One who has nothing to hide will
gladly answer the questions (1 Peter 3:15).
The people of Israel made a bad choice that was directly against the command
of the Lord. They, like some churches, were so eager to make friends and get
new members that they failed to seek the Lord and ask the right questions. The
Lord’s business and His churches are serious business. Other battles still had
to be fought and this compromise proved to be costly. There is always a price
to pay when we make unwise choices. To help ease the pain, Joshua made the
Gibeonites hewers of wood and drawers of water.
THE SOUTHERN CONQUEST
Joshua 10:1-43
Joshua and the people of Israel drove a wedge through the middle of the
land of promise. Five city states remaining to the south banded together to
fight the people of Israel. Adoni-zedec king of Jerusalem feared that Gibeon’s
treaty with Israel relinquished any loyalty they may have had with Jerusalem.
Five kings banded together against Gibeon (Joshua 10:1-8). This was the
first attempt by the various Canaanite kings to seriously stop the invasion of
the people of Israel. The five were Adoni-zedec from Jerusalem, Hoham from
Hebron, Piram from Jarmuth, Japhia from Lachish and Debir from Eglon.
Gibeon sent for Joshua requesting his help. Joshua brought the Israelite army
to defend Gibeon. In his eleventh direct talk with Joshua, Jehovah assured him
of victory.
Marching under the cover of darkness, Joshua positioned the people of
Israel for an attack on the southern alliance (verses 9-11). Four things are said
about the battle. First, Jehovah confounded the enemy with the surprise attack
and a strong hailstorm. Second, Jehovah, not Israel, slew them with a great
slaughter. Do we give the Lord the credit for the victory? Third, when the kings
fled, Jehovah pursued them toward the coastal plain and the valley of Ajalon.
As they fled, the huge hailstones continued to pelt them.
The fact that the Lord fought for Israel is clearly noted by Joshua’s prayer
and what resulted (verses 12-15). Joshua asked the Lord to make the sun stand
still. The Lord answered the prayer with an awesome miracle. This day of days
continued until the battle was won. The narrator mentions the book of Jasher,
which is also mentioned in 2 Samuel 1:18. The original book no longer exists.
By answering Joshua’s prayer, the Lord fought for Israel.
Another important event on that long day was the capture and execution
of the five kings (Joshua 10:16-39). They had hidden in the cave of Makkedah
(mak-kay-daw) which means “a place of shepherds.” Apparently this cave was
used by shepherds while herding their sheep. The cave was secured and men
left to guard it. The day’s battle over, Joshua came to the cave and ordered
the kings brought out. His officers first put their feet upon the necks of the
kings. Joshua uttered words of encouragement to his captains. “Fear not, nor be
dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your
enemies against whom ye fight” (verse 25). This is a fitting picture of the Lord’s
enemies being conquered. The kings were hanged on five trees. At sunset their
bodies were put into the cave and it was sealed to serve as the sixth monument
54 / Joshua 7—10
mentioned in this book. Much emphasis is placed on the fact that Jehovah gave
the cities to the people of Israel.
Summarizing the battle campaign, Israel had won four strategic areas—the
hill country, the Negev, the lowland and the slopes. No person of these areas
was intentionally left alive. Kadesh-barnea was the southern boundary. On the
west they had taken Gaza. To the north they secured Gibeon. When the battles
were over in the south, Joshua returned to Gilgal.
CONCLUSION
“And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the Lord
turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was
called, The valley of Achor, unto this day” (Joshua 7:26). The valley was named
Achor meaning “trouble.” This was to serve as a warning for those who sin
against God.
“Be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23). Judgment is sure upon all
sin. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb.
9:27). Are you ready for that day to come?
The people of Israel put away the sin and the sinner and went to battle and
won the victory over the enemies of the Lord. This pictures how we need to put
away sin, and God can bless and use us in His service.
Lesson 6
For Sunday, October 7, 2012
Caleb—Fully Following God
Joshua 11—22
Chapter 10 ended with Joshua and Israel’s army slaying and burying the
five kings at the end of the action-packed day when the sun stood still. After
such a great victory, human nature would have the inclination to glory. This
was not the case with Joshua and the people of Israel. They knew the battle was
the Lord’s. It was because of His presence and power that they were victorious.
A remarkable thing at the end of the day was that when Joshua returned all
Israel was with him.
THE FINAL CONQUEST OF THE LAND
Joshua 11:1-23
The battles were not over. Chapter 11 begins with Jabin, king of Hazor,
making alliances with the kings in his area. Ruins of Hazor are about fourteen
miles due north of the Sea of Galilee. The kings and areas mentioned are
located in northern Israel. This confederation comprised “much people, even
as the sand that is upon the sea shore” (Joshua 11:4). Josephus puts the size
of these combined forces at three hundred thousand footmen, ten thousand
horsemen and twenty thousand chariots (Josephus, Book V, chapter 1, Num.
18 page 107). The odds against Joshua and the army of Israel appeared to be
overpowering. This was the most sizeable army they had encountered during
the conquest. The Canaanite army gathered at the waters of Merom. This is
modern day Lake Huleh (Hula), which serves as a nature preserve.
Conquering Jabin, the other kings and this sizeable force was not an easy
task. Yet, Joshua and the armny of Israel were successful. “They smote them,
until they left them none remaining” (Joshua 11:8). Following the Lord’s
command Joshua had the enemy horses “houghed” from the Hebrew word aqar,
aw-kar—to hamstring or to cut (verse 9). He also destroyed their chariots. In
this sweep through the north, Joshua took all the land, and the kings along
with the inhabitants were slain. Not one city attempted to make a peace pact.
The only city that was burned was Hazor. The others were left standing after
being plundered of their spoils and cattle. The secret behind the victory is
stated in verse 15, “As the Lord commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses
command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the
Lord commanded Moses.” Obedience to the Lord’s command was Joshua’s
secret weapon.
55
56 / Joshua 11—22
War is filled with trials and hardships. This helped to make the victory more
rewarding. Joshua and the army of Israel fought a long, hard campaign in the
north. “Joshua made war a long time with all those kings” (Joshua 11:18). This
shows us that victory over the enemies of righteousness does not always come
easy. Satan encourages and leads his own troops to fight against the children
of God. However, we need not fear “for they that be with us are more than
they that be with them” (2 Kings 6:16). The flesh always presents itself as an
intimidating enemy that will not cease to be at war with the believer’s new
nature in Christ. The apostle Paul struggled with this in his life. “For the good
that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do” (Rom. 7:19).
What is the answer? Where and how does one find victory in such a battle?
Paul found the answer in Jesus Christ. “O wretched man that I am! who shall
deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our
Lord” (Rom. 7:24, 25).
Regardless of the size and strength of the enemy, like Joshua, the believer
can claim the victory over all. “Joshua took the whole land, according to all that
the Lord said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel
according to their divisions by their tribes” (Joshua 11:23).
After the many battles came the words of comfort, “And the land rested from
war” (verse 23). This came to a people who had been willing to take the fight to
the enemy. With his battles behind him, Paul wrote to Timothy, “I have fought
a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there
is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge,
shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love
his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:7, 8).
THIRTY-THREE KINGS MEET THE KING OF KINGS
Joshua 12:1-24
This chapter lists in order the thirty-three kings defeated by Moses, Joshua
and the army of Israel, by the hand of the Lord of lords and King of kings. This
may seem like tedious reading, but it is a song of praise unto the Lord.
First mentioned are the kings east of the Jordan River (Joshua 12:1-6). This
again shows that the Lord was with Moses and Joshua and speaks of the unity
of the people of Israel as they went into the land of promise. The east side of the
Jordan was considered part of the Promised Land. The Arnon River valley was
at the south end and Mount Hermon stood high in the north. Sihon was the
first king to be conquered as the people of Israel came out of their wilderness
journey. This included the area between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee.
Og was the next king taken and his territory was known as Bashan. Og is
Hebrew for gigantic. Og was the giant of the Amorites. This is the area known
as the Golan Heights. It is known for its cattle and oaks. This area was given
to the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh.
The kings west of the Jordan are numbered at thirty-one (Joshua 12:7-24).
This large area extended from Mount Hermon in the north to Mount Halak in
the south. Mount Halak is about half way between Kadesh-barnea and Beersheba. The list serves as a reminder that Jehovah, the God of Israel, is King of
kings.
Caleb—Fully Following God / 57
A FAITHFUL AND MIGHTY
Joshua 13:1-19:51
WARRIOR’S REQUEST
Chapter 13 deals with the distribution of the land to the various tribes of
Israel. The larger cities and strongholds had been conquered and claimed.
After the control was secured, the mopping up campaign began. We are not
told how long it took to totally subdue the land. Neither are we told how long it
took Joshua to divide the land into the tribal allotments.
After the conquest it is stated, “Joshua was old and stricken in years” (Joshua
13:1). Joshua was approaching the century mark. Yet, there still remained
some smaller cities and outposts that needed to be claimed. Nine and one half
tribes were to settle west of the Jordan River. However, there were in reality
thirteen tribes. This leaves one tribe
that is not accounted for. This was the
tribe of Levi. The Levites were assigned
Suburbs: they are the open land
surrounding a town or city. The
forty-eight cities. These were scattered
term necessitates a comparison
throughout the inheritances of the other
between used land as compared to
twelve tribes. They were given an area
Manna
Inheritance by the Lot (Joshua
14:2): For the division of the land
to be in the hands of the Lord
and not the people, the casting
of lots was used to assign the
distribution. According to tradition,
the heads of the tribes chose from
the designated urn which area of
the Promised Land the various
tribes would be allotted, whether
seacoast, mountainous regions,
valley, or close proximity to Egypt.
Once the land area was known by
means of the casting of lots, the
area boundaries were set according
to the size of the various tribes so
that the larger tribes received larger
land portions and the smaller tribes
received less.
Another tradition suggests that
the land distribution occurred with
the lots coming from the Urim and
Thummim. The only sure thing,
however, is that lots were cast which
signified that the people of Israel
left the final land allotment in the
hands of the Lord as He determined
through the use of lots.
unused land. The city is occupied,
but the suburbs suggest an
unoccupied land where shepherds
might lead their flocks for grazing.
Word Study #4054.
around the cities called “suburbs”
(Joshua 14:4) so they could farm and
raise their families. This arrangement
put the priestly tribe in a position to
minister to the spiritual needs of the
nation. “All the cities of the Levites
within the possession of the children
of Israel were forty and eight cities
with their suburbs. These cities were
every one with their suburbs round
about them: thus were all these cities.”
(Joshua 21:41, 42).
Chapter 14 reveals how Eleazar,
the priest and the tribal heads set
out to divide the inheritance of the
land. “Eleazar the priest, and Joshua
the son of Nun, and the heads of the
fathers of the tribes of the children of
Israel, distributed for inheritance to
them” (Joshua 14:1). They received
a startling request from the aged
Caleb. It appears that he made his
request before the first inheritance
58 / Joshua 11—22
Manna
Inheritance of the Levites (Joshua
14:3): Though the tribe of Levi
was to receive no land in the
tribal distribution, they were to be
provided for by the rest of the tribes.
Since the Levites were involved
in the ministry of the Tabernacle,
they were to be granted places
to reside among the cities of the
land allotments of the other tribes
according to the Law of Moses as
stated in Numbers 35:1-8. From
the larger tribes with larger land
assignments, there would be larger
cities where the Levites would
reside. From the smaller tribes,
smaller cities were provided. There
were forty-eight cities among the
tribes which were given for the use
of the Levites. With the tribe of Levi
not counted in the land distribution,
the two half-tribes of Manasseh and
Ephraim were each granted full land
allotments to ensure the inheritance
to remain at twelve.
Manna
The Forty-Five Year Wait of Faith
(Joshua 14:10): Joshua and Caleb,
two of the twelve spies whose
minority report was presented
to Moses, had been men of faith
recalling the direct promise of God
to enable Israel to conquer the
Canaanites and possess the land
promised them. However, ten of
the spies took their eyes off the
Lord, saw giants in the land and
lost their courage, as well as their
faith. The nation, unfortunately,
believed the majority report. In
spite of that, Joshua and Caleb
stood firm in their convictions,
continued trusting the Lord.
Forty-five years after the fact,
finally, they were given their
portions of an inheritance. Joshua
gave the land of Hebron to Caleb
for his personal inheritance in
tribute for being one who trusted
the Lord completely.
was granted. Moses vowed to Caleb,
“Surely the land whereon thy feet
have trodden shall be thine inheritance” (verse 9). Caleb was from the tribe of
Judah. He was a faithful spy at Kadesh-barnea, along with Joshua. He was a
practical person. He entered the land of promise by faith. He was not a naive
dreamer. He was a man of faith who believed the promises of God. “And now,
behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years,
even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel
wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years
old” (Joshua 14: 10).
What a message for God’s children today. Like Caleb, we face giants. Faith
is the conqueror, “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him
that loved us” (Rom. 8:37). Yet, at the age of eighty-five his request likely seemed
to be illogical to those who heard him. He asked for a mountainous area about
twenty miles south of Jerusalem. The city located here was called Kirjatharba. Later, it was known as Hebron. This was a large fortified city. It was the
storehouse of the sacred writings of the Canaanites called the Anakims. The
men of the city were called Nephilim or giants. Surely there were other areas
that would be easier to possess. At eighty-five, he would not get to enjoy his
inheritance long. Why not choose an easier and safer place? Today’s philosophy
would be to take it easy, do not get carried away, get what you can and enjoy
Blessed Him: the meaning comes
from the idea of kneeling. A person
might kneel to express appreciation
for another, or to express humility
in appreciation. A person also might
kneel to receive a blessing from
another. The word suggests Caleb
may have knelt to receive a blessing
from Joshua. Word Study #1288.
Inheritance: the meaning is to
become the possessor of a thing.
The possession is due to some
reason that places the heir in a
position to receive the possession.
The reason for possession is usually
because of an existing relationship,
such as, a father and child
relationship. Word Study #5159.
Manna
Give Me This Mountain (Joshua
14:12): The hill country of the
Anakims was requested by Caleb
for an inheritance as a symbol of
his faith in the Lord in the midst of
faithless men. It was that particular
area and nation which the ten
faithless spies used to provide the
arguments for their negative report
(Numbers 13:28, 29). Caleb and
Joshua were not the least bit turned
away from their confidence of
faith and considered it a challenge
they could overcome on the basis
of trusting the Lord to ensure the
victory and the occupation. Fortyfive years later, Caleb requested
that same land for his inheritance
and Joshua granted his request.
life. Caleb’s example should encourage
believer to be “fools for Christ’s sake”
(1 Cor. 4:10). It does not make sense
to the world for a Christian to trust
Christ so completely.
Rest from War (Joshua 14:15):
One thing Caleb did not face was
Even though the land of Hebron
that no one else in Israel wanted to
had to be taken by conquest, Caleb
was able to eventually occupy his
take on the Anakims. Caleb was not
land and live in peace without war
boasting of himself but of the God he
for the rest of his life. Even though
served when he told the elders, “As
the land of Hebron, formerly
yet I am as strong this day as I was
known as Kirjath-arba, had been
in the day that Moses sent me: as
possessed by the greatest among
my strength was then, even so is my
the nation of the Anakims, the
continuing faith of Caleb caused
strength now, for war, both to go out,
him no concern as to the outcome
and to come in. Now therefore give
of the conquest. Even though he
me this mountain, whereof the Lord
was an old man at the time, the
spake in that day; for thou heardest
Lord preserved his strength. The
in that day how the Anakims were
most formidable enemy of God’s
people is no challenge to them if
there, and that the cities were great
they are unwavering in their trust.
and fenced: if so be the Lord will be
Faithful godly men are sustained
with me, then I shall be able to drive
by God’s strength no matter who
them out, as the Lord said” (Joshua
their enemies are.
14:11, 12). Kirjath-arbe was known as
the city of Arba. After Caleb took it, it
was called Hebron which means “association or alliance.” Men like Caleb are
needed in the Lord’s army today.
Manna
60 / Joshua 11—22
Chapters 15—19 deal with the various allotments given the tribes. The
borders of Judah were carefully set (Joshua 15:1-12). Caleb drove out the giants
of Anak from Hebron. He made a challenge and vow to the one who would take
another stronghold called Kirjath-sepher. He promised his daughter, Achsah,
to the man who took the city. Caleb’s brother, Othniel, rose to the occasion.
Othniel and Achsah were married. She asked her father, Caleb, for a special
dowry. Along with the promised city, she asked for the springs of water. Caleb
granted her both the upper and lower springs around the city of Debir (verses
13-19). The cities of Judah numbered one hundred fourteen in four regions—
the south land (Negev,) the lowlands, the hill country and the desert (verses
21-62).
The inheritance of the tribes of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) were given
a double portion by his father, Jacob. The boundaries of Ephraim were set
(Joshua 16:1-10). The inheritance of Manasseh was established (Joshua 17:113). In a family the size of Jacob’s, someone was bound to be unhappy with
their inheritance. Ephraim and Manasseh complained their allotment was
too small. Joshua was from the tribe of Ephraim and, perhaps, they expected
something special from him. However, Joshua did not give in to them. Rather,
he told them if they needed more land, to work for it by clearing the forest and
ousting the inhabitants. Joshua used their own boast against them. “Thou art
a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot only: but the
mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the
outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though
they have iron chariots, and though they be strong” (Joshua 17:17, 18).
The final distribution covered the land in all directions. Dan went north to
the base of Mount Hermon, and Simeon went to the south around Beer-sheba
and the Negev. The allotment of Benjamin is the most painstakingly mapped
out portion (Joshua 18:19-28). Their allotment included Jerusalem which is
mentioned in verse 28.
Chapter 19 spelled out the remaining allotments. “When they had made an
end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel
gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them: according to the
word of the Lord” (Joshua 19:49, 50). Joshua, like Caleb, was given a personal
allotment. This was in answer to the Lord’s command. Joshua requested
Timnath-serah in Mount Ephraim. This is centrally located among the tribes
about ten miles southwest from Shechem. Timnath-serah also became Joshua’s
burial site (Joshua 24:30).
CITIES OF REFUGE
Joshua 20:1-9
It takes all the cities of refuge to form a perfect type of the One who is
our hiding place in the time of judgment. “Behold, a king shall reign in
righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. And a man shall be as an
hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in
a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land” (Isa. 32:1, 2).
The Lord Jehovah is the God of justice. His justice is tempered with His
grace and mercy. God is both just and the justifier (Rom. 3:26). God is full of
grace and mercy (Heb. 4:16). God has guaranteed a place of refuge for the
believer (Psalm 9:9; Heb. 6:18).
The cities were appointed by God. “The Lord also spake unto Joshua, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge,
whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses” (Joshua 20:1, 2). Jesus was
appointed by God the Father (Heb. 3:1, 2). God exalted Jesus as “a Prince and
a Saviour” (Acts 5:30, 31). The cities were charged to the Levites (Num. 35:6).
The tribe of Levi was set aside to be ambassadors of Jehovah. “At that time the
Lord separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to
stand before the Lord to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this
day” (Deut. 10:8). They were entrusted with the oracle of God (Acts 7:38; Rom.
3:1, 2). They were to be a light and a witness to the Gentiles. “I will also give
thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end
of the earth” (Isa. 49:6).
The cities were set apart for the manslayers. “And among the cities which
ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall
appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither” (Num. 35:6). All of us are
guilty before God and need a place of refuge (Acts 2:22, 23). The cities were to
be entered in haste. “That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and
unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger
of blood” (Joshua 20:3). Sinners must make haste. Today is the day of salvation
(2 Cor. 6:2). The only place to flee is to Jesus Christ (Psalm 143:7-9). The cities
were protection from the avenger of blood. “And when he that doth flee unto
one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall
declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into
the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them. And
if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer
up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him
not beforetime” (Joshua 20:4, 5).
The cities were there to serve all alike. “These were the cities appointed for
all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them,
that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die
by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation”
(Joshua 20:9). The cities were for the repentant and for justice. The guilty were
to pay the price (Deut. 19:11, 12). There was to be no pity or cover-up for the
guilty (verse 13). The cities were put in convenient places “And they appointed
Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and
Kirjath-arba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. And on the other
side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon
the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of
Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh. These were the cities
appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth
among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither,
and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the
congregation” (Joshua 20:7-9). Likewise, those who do not trust in Christ are
condemned (John 3:36).
62 / Joshua 11—22
Kedesh means a “sanctum” which is a special room or hiding place. “And
out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of
refuge for the slayer; and Hammoth-dor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her
suburbs; three cities” (Joshua 21:32). This is a refuge for the unclean. Christ
Jesus is our holiness and righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30, 31).
Shechem means “the neck between the shoulders” which is the place of
burdens. “For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to
be a city of refuge for the slayer” (Joshua 21:21).
Hebron means “seat of association or fellowship.” “Thus they gave to the
children of Aaron the priest Hebron with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for
the slayer” (verse 13).
Bezer means “a stronghold” and was in the allotment of Reuben. “They
assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben”
(Joshua 20:8), “And out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with her suburbs” (Joshua
21:36). The manslayer could not cry out for self-protection; he must seek refuge.
Ramoth means “heights or exalted.” “And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in
Gilead with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer” (Joshua 21:38).
Golan means “to circle around.” “And unto the children of Gershon, of the
families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan
in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer” (Joshua 21:27).
This is a refuge for the fearful (1 John 4:18).
The cities were places of refuge for the slayer as long as the high priest lived
(Num. 35:25). Our High Priest, Jesus, ever lives to make intercession (Heb.
7:25). Our High Priest claimed the victory of death, hell and the grave and is
alive forevermore (Rev. 1:18). Our High Priest is our refuge, hope and anchor
in Heaven (Heb. 6:18-20).
THE LEVITICAL CITIES
Joshua 21:1-45
The Levitical cities were appointed by God. The Lord and the Holy Spirit
devoted much space concerning this matter. Therefore, these verses must have
some important spiritual value. Aaron was a direct descendant of Levi. He
stands as a type of Jesus Christ the Great High Priest. “For the law maketh
men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was
since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore” (Heb. 7:28).
The apostle Paul drew an analogy concerning the support of the Levites and
New Testament ministers of the gospel. Both the priest, under the Law, and
today’s New Testament churches’ pastors are provided for by the Lord in His
Word. Joshua chapter 21 clearly sets forth the principles the people of Israel
were to follow to meet the needs of the Levites.
There was no allotment of tribal land designated to the tribe of Levi. They
were not to be entangled in the land. They were to be focused on the spiritual
matters of the people of Israel. As good soldiers of Christ, the believer is not to
entangle himself with the affairs of the world. The goal of a good soldier is to
obey and please his commander (2 Tim. 2:3, 4). Although no portion of Canaan
was allotted to the Levites, they were not to be charity cases or have to beg for
their daily bread. The Lord made provision for their physical care in His Law. A
goodly portion of the heave-offering and wave-offering was to be theirs for food.
They were to receive a portion of the best oil, wine and firstfruits of the harvest.
Add to this the tithes paid by the people of Israel and the Levites needs were
amply met. The tribes were to give from their inheritance to the Levites the
cities in which to dwell.
While vindicating his ministry to the Corinthians, Paul reminded them,
“Have not we power to forbear working?” (1 Cor. 9:6). He used three examples
in verse 7 to explain to the churches the need to support the ministry. (1) “Who
goeth a warfare any time at his own charges?” No soldier goes to war at his
own expense. (2) “Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof?”
Who would go to all that toil and not enjoy the fruits of the harvest? (3) “Who
feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?” Paul summarized
by quoting from Deuteronomy 25:4, “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he
treadeth out the corn.” If an ox is worthy of his food, is not the Levite and the
pastor? The sowing of spiritual seed was to reap for them the things needed.
The Levites gathered at Shiloh around the Tabernacle and made their
requests. They were not contentious nor were they coveting. They were simply
seeking to be good stewards of the promises of God. “Command the children
of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession
cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities
round about them. And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of
them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts” (Num.
35:2, 3). The spirit of obedience and cooperation prevailed. “And the children of
Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of
the Lord, these cities and their suburbs” (Joshua 21:3).
The elders looked at the size and inheritance of each tribe and allotted
the number of cities to be given. A larger number of cities were allotted to
the children of Aaron. These cities were taken from the inheritance of Judah,
Simeon and Benjamin because of the size of their land grants.
CONCLUSION
We are engaged in a great conflict. It is not always with an outward foe. As
the little opossum Pogo said, “We have found the enemy and it is us.” There
are two natures that live within us. “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so
that ye cannot do the things that ye would” (Gal. 5:17). Joshua won battle after
battle because he looked to, listened to and heeded the Lord. A promise is no
better than the one who makes it. The Lord promises his children final victory
as He did Joshua. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your
labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).
Lesson 7
Joshua—Warning
Future Generations
Joshua 23; 24
Christian failures can be traced back to a lack of faithful devotion to the
Lord. Jesus told the apostles while in the upper room, “If a man love me, he will
keep my words: and my Father will love him” (John 14:23). In Joshua chapters
23 and 24, Joshua instructed the people of Israel on how to prove themselves
through their love and service to the Lord. Failure to separate themselves from
the Canaanites and their false gods would bring God’s judgment.
Joshua’s two messages were issued as a challenge for the people of Israel
to stay true to the God who delivered them. He was about to pass his mantle
to others of the succeeding generations. There remains, for believers today, a
constant challenge to serve the one true and living God. We should prayerfully
accept the challenge and through the testimony of our lives challenge others to
do the same. It is impossible to maintain a divided allegiance. Jesus declared
this truth during His Sermon on the Mount saying, “No man can serve two
masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold
to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt.
6:24).
Joshua chapters 23 and 24 are the last will and testament from a man who
spent his life faithfully serving the Lord. The book of Joshua ends as it began
with words of encouragement and exhortation. In the first message, Joshua
reminded them about where they were and to look at their future. In his final
message, Joshua’s theme was about what God had done and what they needed
to do in relationship to the Lord.
A REMINDER
Joshua 23:1-5
Approaching one hundred ten years of life, it is recorded “that Joshua waxed
old and stricken in age” (Joshua 23:1). The apostle Peter, like Joshua, when he
too was stricken in years wrote, “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto
you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: that ye
may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets,
and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: knowing
this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers” (2 Peter 3:1-3). This is
the thing Joshua was doing when he “called for all Israel” to assemble (Joshua
23:2). From his past experience, he was aware of what the future would present
to them.
64
Joshua—Warning Future Generations / 65
The first point of Joshua’s message was to remind the people of Israel to give
the Lord the credit for the battlefield victories. They were to bear witness of
all the things the Lord had done in giving them victory after victory over the
Canaanites. Joshua did not dwell on himself. His message lifted up the Lord.
“Ye have seen all that the Lord your God hath done unto all these nations”
(verse 3).
Why had the Lord let His judgment fall upon the Canaanites? Joshua said
it was, “because of you; for the Lord your God is he that hath fought for you”
(verse 3). God was keeping His promises to Abram concerning the Amorites.
“But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of
the Amorites is not yet full” (Gen. 15:16). Moses delivered the Lord’s message
to the people of Israel concerning the Canaanites. “And thou shalt consume all
the people which the Lord thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no
pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare
unto thee. If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how
can I dispossess them?” (Deut. 7:16, 17). The people were the instruments in
the hands of the Lord, used to execute His judgment upon the idolatrous tribes
in the land of Canaan.
The land had been allotted and the main forces of the Canaanites were cut
off. There were still some small pockets of Canaanite resistance in the land, but
Joshua was convinced that the Lord who brought them there would secure and
keep them there. “And the Lord your God, he shall expel them from before you,
and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the
Lord your God hath promised unto you” (Joshua 23: 5).
A LINE IN THE SAND
Joshua 23:6-13
Joshua encouraged the elders of Israel to be “very courageous” (from the
Hebrew word chazaq, khaw-zak—to be strong, to prevail, be firm) in the resolve
to remain a separate people from the Canaanites (verse 6). God demanded a
strict and straight line between the holy and the profane. The people of Israel
were not to bow themselves before any false god, “for I the Lord thy God am
a jealous God” (Deut. 5:9). This commandment is in force for God’s children
today. Paul dealt with this matter in his letter to the church at Corinth. “Be
ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with
darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he
that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God
with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell
in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,
and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father
unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2
Cor. 6:14-18). The people of Israel and today’s Christians have something in
common. They both need to “cleave unto the Lord” (Joshua 23:8). The Hebrew
word dabaq, daw-bak means “to impinge or be in somebody’s space, to stay
close or to stick with the Lord.”
66 / Joshua 23; 24
The line was clearly marked. The people of Israel were not to even mention
the names of the false gods of the Canaanites. They were forbidden to swear
by them. Based on the past forty years, the people of Israel had every reason
to cling to the Lord. No man in Canaan was able to stand before the army
of Israel as they followed the Lord’s commands. Evidence that the Lord was
leading is found in every battle. “One man of you shall chase a thousand: for
the Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you”
(Joshua 23:10). This causes us to think of the Six-Day War beginning June 5,
1967. Under the leadership of General Moshe Dayan the Israeli Defense Forces
defeated the United Arab Republic (Jordan, Syria and Egypt), along with forces
from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Kuwait, Tunisia, Sudan and
the Palestine Liberation Organization. Israel had a total of 264,000 troops with
100,000 being deployed. There were 983 killed, 4,517 wounded and 46 aircraft
destroyed. The Arab coalition deployed 240,000 troops, 23,500 were killed,
5,500 were captured and 452 aircraft were destroyed. Israeli paratroopers
entered the Old City of Jerusalem by the Lion’s Gate (Stephen’s Gate) and
secured the Western Wall and the Temple Mount.
There must be no going back to the remnant of the pagan nations. “Know
for a certainty that the Lord your God will no more drive out any of these
nations from before you” (Joshua 23:13). Once redeemed out of the wilderness
and with victory over the Canaanites, why would any desire to return? This
was the question Paul put to the Galatians. “But now, after that ye have known
God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly
elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?” (Gal. 4:9). It was time
to let the love of God rule.
A SOLEMN ANNOUNCEMENT
Joshua 23:14-16
Death is an undeniable fact. Only Enoch and Elijah have been able to escape
it. Joshua’s heart and mind was on this subject as he stood before the nation
and people he loved. “Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth”
(verse 14). This was his way of telling the people of Israel he was about to die.
By calling attention to his soon departure, he was hopeful this would cause his
words to touch their hearts.
Joshua let his mind and heart go back over the years he had been privileged
to serve the Lord and His chosen people. Going over in his mind all the things
the Lord had done for him and Israel, he could truthfully say, “Ye know in all
your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good
things which the Lord your God spake concerning you” (verse 14). God was
faithful in all that He promised, “All are come to pass unto you, and not one
thing hath failed thereof” (verse 14). The Lord is as true today as He was then.
He never fails to keep His Word. “For all the promises of God in him are yea,
and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2 Cor. 1:20). When a child of God
leaves this life and stands in eternity, he will be able to say, as did Joshua, God
has been faithful.
Joshua did not live in dread and fear about his death. No child of God need
do this. Jesus came to “deliver them who through fear of death were all their
lifetime subject to bondage” (Heb. 2:15). Jesus Christ took the sting out of death
so that every true believer can sing the victory song, “O death, where is thy
sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength
of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:55-57). The atheist, agnostic or scoffer cannot
make such a claim.
This chapter emphasizes values that are timeless for God’s people. In every
age, God has blessed His children who obey His Word. He does this by protecting
them from their enemies. He rewards them for their faithful service. However,
as He blesses the obedient, so will He judge those who rebel against His Word
and will (Joshua 23:15, 16).
A RESUMÉ OF ISRAEL’S HISTORY
Joshua 24:1-13
These verses contain Joshua’s resumé of Israel’s history from the time
of Abraham’s call until the time of their possession of the Promised Land.
They are a reminder that God called
Abraham from a land and people filled
with idolatry, to the land of promise.
Meeting at Shechem” (Joshua 24:1:
Abraham’s family and friends in the
As the ministry of Joshua as leader
Ur of Chaldees were idolaters (Joshua
of the nation of Israel was coming to
24:2, 3). “On the other side of the
a conclusion, he wanted to remind
flood” (verse 2) is a reference to the
the people of their solemn covenant
Euphrates River.
relationship with Jehovah by calling
Joshua recalled the inheritance God
them to the historic city of Shechem.
promised to Abraham’s descendants
It was there that God made the
through Esau (verse 4). However,
covenant with Abraham concerning
Esau’s family was not the lineage to
the land of Canaan in which it
receive the full blessing of God. This
was promised as a possession for
Abraham and his descendents. It
is a reminder that God promised
was also there that Jacob disposed
Abraham, “I will make thy seed to
of the foreign idols in anticipation
multiply as the stars of heaven” (Gen.
of his erecting an altar to the Lord
26:4).
at Bethel. On the basis of those
Joshua reminded the elders and the
and other significant events in
people of Israel of their sojourn into
their history, Joshua led the people
Egypt, and how God sent the plagues
to be reminded of their covenant
and brought them out. God granted
relationship with God. His intention
them victory after victory over their
was to provide the impetus for
enemies, beginning with Egypt at the
the renewal to be etched in their
Rea Sea. They defeated the Amorites
memories forever.
on the east side of Jordan. Balak, king
of Moab, was defeated even though
Balaam was hired to curse Israel. When they entered the land of promise, their
enemies fell one by one—Jericho, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites,
the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites and the Jebusites. God delivered
them up to the army of Israel. There is no way they could have done this on
their own. The Lord was with them, might in battle. Their rallying cry was His
promise, “The Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against
your enemies, to save you” (Deut. 20:4).
This serves to remind us of the Lord’s faithfulness. We may not have been
taken captive by a foreign enemy, but we were all at one time held captive in
Manna
68 / Joshua 23; 24
the bondage of sin. The enemy, Satan, does not give up the fight once we have
been born again. There is a warfare in progress that is real and its outcome will
bring eternal joy. We, like the people of Israel, cannot win the fight alone. We
need the whole armor of God to stand up against the wiles of the devil (Eph.
6:12-20). Moses and Joshua were successful because they were faithful to the
Lord’s will. “Moses verily was faithful in all his house” (Heb. 3:5). We cannot
ignore the will of God for our lives and at the same time have a victorious life.
The people of Israel were inhabiting cities and houses that they did not
build. They were eating from fields, orchards and vineyards that they did not
plant. The blessings of God were awe-inspiring.
JOSHUA’S CALL FOR SEPARATION
Joshua 24:14
All that Joshua had been saying was building up to the message’s climax
and conclusion. “Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in
truth” (verse 14). The Lord is still seeking “true worshippers [who] shall worship
the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in
truth” (John 4:23, 24). The challenge is straight forward. Separate yourselves
from idols. The expression, “on the other side of the flood” (Joshua 14:24), is
not referring to the flood of Noah’s day. The Hebrew word is nahar (naw-hawr)
which is a stream or river. It is literally “over the river” or “on the other side
of the river.” Some scholars give this as the Euphrates River because of the
expression in verses 2 and 3 where
this is clearly the river intended. In
Joshua’s farewell address, he used
this phrase four times in verses 2,
Other Side of the Flood (Joshua
3, 14 and 15. The first two usages
24:14): The Hebrew word translated
clearly refer to the Euphrates River.
flood is the word nahar and has a
It is possible that verses 14 and 15
variety of meanings. While it can,
in certain contexts, be translated
are referring to the Jordan River. This
“flood,” its immediate context,
would go back to the sins and troubles
which includes the definite
the people of Israel encountered with
article, refers to the Euphrates
the golden calf and when they joined
River. Mesopotamia and Ur of
themselves to Baal-peor while camped
the Chaldees, in particular, were
near Moab (Num. 25:1-9). Regardless
located on the opposite side of the
of which river is being designated, the
river from Shechem. There were
Manna
a few incidents in the history of
the Hebrew people, wherein they
were involved in the idolatrous
worship of foreign gods and
Joshua’s historical reminder to the
people showed the seriousness of
the moment at Shechem where they
were to turn away from the slightest
temptation to serve any god but the
God of the Hebrews.
Sincerity: the meaning is to be
perfect, blameless or complete. The
idea is to be or act in harmony
with a standard of right, and, in
a biblical context, that being the
righteousness of God. Honesty and
trustworthiness are characteristics
of such a way. Word Study #8549.
truth is, they were to put away all traces of ancestral idolatry. They were not
to worship idols because someone else in the family had done so. The religious
practices of our fathers and mothers must be tried by the Word of God.
Joshua warned Israel to be thoroughly separated from the idolatry that was
widespread in Egypt. The golden calf (Ex. 32) was an idol representation of Apis,
the bull god of Egypt. Apis was the most important of all the sacred animals
in Egypt. The ceremonial burial of bulls show that ritual sacrifice was part of
the worship of the bull deities. A bull might represent a king who supposedly
became a deity after his death. Such foolish worship was not to be practiced by
the people of Israel.
Separation and dedication involves three things. Children of God must
be willing to be, to do and to suffer for and with Christ. Such requires the
separation and dedication of our entire being. The blessing of Paul upon the
Thessalonians needs to rest with each child of God. “And the very God of peace
sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be
preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23).
JOSHUA’S CALL TO MAKE A CHOICE
Joshua 24:15-28
The opening statement in this verse
says a lot about some of Joshua’s
Choose: it is a deliberate act of
congregation. In actual fact, it may have
showing desire or favor toward
seemed evil (from the Hebrew word ra`a
a thing or person. It involves a
raw-ah, which means “to be displeasing,
decision of the mind and often
be sad or, be broken, to be wicked”) to some
involves the emotions of the heart.
who were listening to this sermon. From
Choosing includes picking one
the evidence of their lives, they were not
item from among others, thus
showing preference of that item.
pleased, and they acted sad and broken.
Word Study #977.
They may not have been saying it with
words, but their actions were showing it.
There are those today, who by their lack
of separation and dedication, make wrong choices. Their apathy and lack of
concern indicate they are displeased and think evil about their service to the
Lord.
There are still those, even in this so-called enlightened age, who actually
bow down before images of gold, silver and stone in some form of false worship.
The sad truth is that many of these call themselves Christians. However,
we need to be reminded that worship before an idol of gold or silver is not
the only form idolatry can take. Idolatry can be anything we allow to come
between us and our true worship of God. Our idols may be self, material things,
fame, power or another person. The Word of God includes stubbornness and
covetousness as forms of idolatry. “Stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (1
Sam. 15:23). “Mortify [nekroo—to deaden or to subdue] therefore your members
which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection,
evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Col 3:5). Paul listed
idolatry among the works of the flesh which is the result of a depraved, sinful
nature (Gal. 5:20).
70 / Joshua 23; 24
Manna
Choosing for Your House (Joshua
24:15): In the assembly of the nation
of Israel, Joshua stated clearly that
their commitment to Jehovah was
to be absolute and complete. They
were to choose their complete
allegiance to God by an unwavering
decision to abandon all intentions to
serve the gods of the Canaanites. In
Joshua’s estimation, they were at a
crossroads of decision since he was
about to depart his earthly labors
and cease being the leader of that
delivered and preserved people of
God. As a final act of his leadership,
he declared his own personal
allegiance to God and encouraged
all the rest to do the same. He
noted that their decision could not
include a partial commitment since
that would disqualify them from
faithfully upholding the exclusive
covenant relationship they enjoyed
with the Lord.
Manna
Ye Cannot Serve the Lord
(Joshua 24:19): Joshua made
certain that the people understood
that attempting to serve Jehovah
with the unconfessed sin of
idolatry would mean the certainty
of chastisement. When not
serving Jehovah exclusively,
the nation would be hindered
from the covenant blessings
of the Lord. Instead of His
blessings, they would receive the
opposite—His cursings. It was
on that basis that Joshua entered
into a final covenant with the
people of the Lord. He heard
them give multiple assurances
that they meant business, that
God would be the only one they
would worship and serve, and
they served as witnesses between
themselves, the Lord and Joshua.
All men must make a choice as to who or what he will serve. Jesus, in the
Sermon on the Mount, said, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will
hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the
other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt. 6:24). This being true there
must come a time for a decision in every life. Some may object to the fact that
man does have a choice. However, this is a fact that is taught here as well as in
other passages in the Bible. The Lord and Moses called upon Israel to make a
choice to keep God’s covenant and all that He commanded (Ex. 19:3-8). Moses
also put this choice to Israel, “Who is on the Lord’s side? let him come unto me”
(Ex. 32:26). They were also faced with the choice of life or death. “See, I have set
before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; I call heaven and earth to
record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing
and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deut.
30:15, 19).
Joshua did not ask Israel to do something he was not willing to do himself.
He demonstrated his love for the Lord and willingly served Him. This was a
personal choice. It may involve others, but each person must make his own
choice. Joshua continued to raise the bar. As they had declared before God
and Moses that they would keep the Law, the people of Israel once again confirmed they would serve the Lord. They, too, spoke of the Lord’s deliverance
from Egypt and how it was the Lord who drove out their enemies.
Joshua was not satisfied with lip service. The eagerness of the people of
Israel was good but there is more to serving the Lord. Was Joshua hoping that
the guilty among the people of Israel would bring out their idols for destruction
as he challenged them to do? “Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him
in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served
on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord” (Joshua
24:14). He repeated his charge once again. “Now therefore put away, said he,
the strange gods which are among you,
and incline your heart unto the Lord God
Incline Your Heart: the meaning
of Israel” (verse 23). The word now from
is to stretch a thing outward and
the Hebrew word attah (at-taw) shows
toward something. The stretching
the urgency Joshua was placing on this
action is not without purpose
action. It means “at this time” and “from
or goal. It is a deliberate act to
now on.” Since God is a jealous God,
accomplish a desire. One might
He will not give to nor share His glory
incline the ear to hear or incline
with any false god. This was for Israel’s
the heart to accept a thing. (Word
spiritual protection. The Lord did not
Study #5186).
want them defiled by any form of idolatry.
What happened with Jacob’s family
as they camped at Beth-el needs to be
Shechem: the term was the
repeated today. “And they gave unto Jacob
name of a place between Mount
all the strange gods which were in their
Ebal and Mount Gerizim in
hand, and all their earrings which were
mid-western Israel. The name
in their ears; and Jacob hid them under
referred to accepting a burden or
the oak which was by Shechem” (Gen.
responsibility upon oneself. It was
35:4). The worship of Jehovah is not to be
at Shechem that Israel accepted
taken lightly. To consciously forsake Him
the responsibility to hear the voice
and serve other gods is an arrogant and
of God and serve Him. Word
willful sin. Such a blatant sin will always
Study #7927.
bring the judgment of God (Num. 15:30).
The people of Israel continued to hold fast
their resolve to serve the Lord.
JOSHUA’S DEATH
Joshua 24:29-33
Joshua died at the age of one hundred and ten. He did not live as long as his
predecessor Moses, but he did realize his aim and goal in life. He was honored
by the Lord to lead Israel into and settle them in the Promised Land. Joshua
was buried near the city which had been given him as his inheritance. It was
in the allotment given to the tribe of Ephraim. The city of Timnath-serah,
Joshua’s home, is surrounded by deep valleys and rugged hills. On the north
side of the village is a hill with the supposed tomb of Joshua. It is an eyecatching monument. The Samaritans point to this sight and another nearby
one that is identified with Caleb.
Joshua’s influence upon Israel was so strong that all of Israel and the elders
served the Lord during his lifetime and the lifetime of the elders who knew him.
This is a fitting eulogy to his faithful service to the Lord. Joshua serves as an
example for those in spiritual leadership positions today. One’s influence does
not cease with his passing. It is said of Abel and his more excellent sacrifice,
72 / Joshua 23; 24
“By it he being dead yet speaketh”
(Heb. 11:4). This passage comes to
mind as this writer reads the books
The Bones of Joseph (Joshua 24:32):
and looks at the notes from the men
According to the text of Genesis
who taught me in seminary. All but
50, Joseph, the patriarch, made a
one of my instructors are now home
covenant request with his brethren
with the Lord, but they continue to
that, once the children of Israel left
speak and their influence is still with
Egypt to occupy the Promised Land,
me and many others today.
his bones would be transported
Verse 32 is the fulfillment of a
with them. Moses reiterated the
covenant in Exodus 13 when the
promise made by those who left Egypt.
Israelites finally left Egypt after the
It is a tribute to the faith of another of
Passover and death of the firstborn.
God’s faithful children. Before Joseph
Finally, Joshua reminded the people
died, he made Israel’s leaders promise
at Shechem regarding the fulfilling
that when they left Egypt to return to
of that covenant, and he urged them
the land of promise, they would carry
to bury the bones there since Jacob
his bones with them and bury them
provided that land as an inheritance
for Joseph and his descendants.
in his ancestral home (Gen. 50:22Joshua showed the inherent
26). Such faith is noted among the
faithfulness of the Lord in that
great cloud of witnesses in the Old
the request of Joseph concerning
Testament. “By faith Joseph, when he
his remains was, indeed, fulfilled.
died, made mention of the departing
Hebrews 11 shows that the covenant
of the children of Israel; and gave
Joseph entered was a mark of faith
commandment concerning his bones”
on his part regarding the promises
of God that He had made with
(Heb. 11:22). The people of Israel kept
his great-grandfather, Abraham,
their promise.
concerning the Promised Land.
Eleazar, son of Aaron and the
high priest during Joshua’s time of
leadership, passed about the same
time as Joshua. He, too, was buried in Mount Ephraim. His son Phinehas
succeeded him as high priest. This is the same young man who was faithful in
the matter of “Baal-peor” (Num. 25:6-11).
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Conclusion
Joshua placed the proverbial shoe on Israel’s foot. “Ye are witnesses against
yourselves that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve him. And they said,
We are witnesses” (Joshua 24:22). Israel, without any hesitancy, avowed, “The
Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey” (verse 24). Joshua
cut or renewed the covenant. Their agreement was written in the book of the
Law of God. The word serve is used nine times and the word served four times
in this chapter. The choice of service still needs to be made today. Like the
Thessalonians, people need to turn “to God from idols to serve the living and
true God” (1 Thess. 1:9).
The Book of Judges
Introduction
I. THE PERIOD OF THE JUDGES (Judges 1:1—3:4)
A.This is one of the saddest books in the Bible.
B.According to Acts 13:20 the period of the Judges covered about four hundred fifty years. This period lasted from the death of Joshua until the time of Samuel.
C.It was possibly written by Samuel. Statements in the final chapters imply a time shortly before the beginning of the monarchy (Judges 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25).
D.There are seven cycles of sin, servitude, supplication and salvation: (1) Judges 3:7-11; (2) Judges 3:12-31; (3) Judges 4:1—5:31; (4) Judges 6:1—
8:32; (5) Judges 8:33—9:57; (6) Judges 10:1—12:7; (7) Judges 13:1—16:31.
E.Israel needed a leader who would lead them to faithfully worship the Lord. This was met in part by the Davidic kings; however, the fulfillment will be found in the messianic kingdom of Jesus Christ.
F. Political introduction
1. Victory in obedience (Judges 1:1-20).
a. Judah chosen to lead in battle (verses 1-4).
b. Adoni-bezek (ad-o-nee-beh-zek) received his just judgment (verses 5-7).
c. Caleb and his younger brother, Othniel, take Hebron (verses 8-20).
2. List of incomplete victories (Judges 1:21-36).
3. Rebuke for disobedience by the Angel of the Lord at Bochim, weepers (Judges 2:1-5).
G.Spiritual introduction—This is a prophetic review of the history of the Judges.
1. With the death of Joshua, and those of his generation, the new generation did evil by serving Baal and Ashtaroth (verses 6-13).
2. The judgment was great distress by their enemies (verses 14, 15).
3. The spiritual roller coaster begins—sin, servitude, supplication and salvation (verses 16-19).
4. The idolatrous nations were left as instruments of testing and proving (Judges 2:20—3:4).
II. THE JUDGES—THE OPPRESSION AND DELIVERANCE (Judges 3:5—16:31).
A.The children of Israel did exactly what God commanded them not to do (Ex. 34:14-17; Deut. 28:14; Judges 3:5-7).
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B.The first apostasy and servitude of Israel to Chushan-rishathaim (koo-
shan-rish-aw-thah-yim), king of Mesopotamia, was eight years. Othniel, the first judge, led them to victory and the land rested for forty years (verses 8-11).
C.The second apostasy and servitude was to Eglon, king of Moab, for eighteen years. Ehud, the second judge delivered Israel and the land rested eighty years (verses 12-30).
D.The Philistine oppression ended when Shamgar slew six hundred men with an ox goad (verse 31).
E.The third apostasy and servitude tells of Jabin, king of Canaan, oppressing Israel for twenty years. God raised up Deborah and Barak to overthrow him and deliver Israel (Judges 4:1—5:31).
1.Chapter 4 tells of the defeat and Sisera’s death at the hands of Jael who drove a tent peg through his temples.
2.Chapter 5 is Deborah’s song of deliverance. Israel rested for forty years.
F. The fourth apostasy brought Midianite oppression for seven years. God raised up Gideon to deliver the people of Israel (Judges 6:1—8:32).
1.Gideon is chosen judge and puts out the fleece to be assured by God (Judges 6:1-40).
2.Gideon tests his army of 32,000 men and is left with 300 proven men
to defeat 135,000 Midianites and Amalekites (Judges 7:1—8:21).
3.Israel tried to make Gideon king but he wisely refused (verses 22-27)
4.Israel had rest for 40 years (verse 28).
5.Gideon had seventy sons by many wives and one son, Abimelech, by his concubine (verses 29-32).
G.The fifth apostasy came as soon as Gideon died (Judges 8:33—10:5).
1.Civil war followed as Abimelech, Gideon’s son, slew seventy of his brothers and the men of Shechem anointed him as king. He reigned for three years (Judges 9:1-57).
2.Tola defended Israel for twenty-three years (Judges 10:1, 2).
3.Jair judged Israel for twenty-two years. He had thirty sons (verses 3-5).
H.The sixth apostasy brought the Philistines and the Amorites to oppress Israel for eighteen years (Judges 10:6—12:15).
1.Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon and Abdon were raised up to judge Israel.
2.Jephthah judged Israel for six years. His vow resulted in his offering his daughter to God (Judges 11:1—12:7).
3.Ibzan had thirty sons, and he judged Israel seven years (verses 8-10).
4.Elon judged Israel for ten years (verses 11, 12).
5.Abdon had forty sons and thirty nephews, and he judged Israel eight years (verses 13-15).
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I. The seventh apostasy once again saw the Philistines conquering Israel. God raised up Samson to judge Israel.
1.The birth of Samson and his Nazirite vow (Judges 13:1-25).
2.Samson killed a lion with his bare hands, tied fire brands between three hundred foxes and burned the corn, vineyards and olives. He slew one thousand with the jawbone of an ass. He carried away the gates of Gaza, but he succumbed to Delilah who betrayed him to the Philistines. Beaten and blinded, he turned to God and destroyed the temple of Dagon killing himself and thousands of Philistines (Judges 14:1—16:31).
III. THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE TIME OF THE JUDGES (Judges 17—21).
A.Spiritual decay is exemplified in Micah and his hired priest (Judges 17:1—18:31).
B.Moral decay is exemplified by the Levite and his concubine (Judges 19:1-30).
C.National decay is exemplified as the tribe of Benjamin is destroyed save six hundred men (Judges 20:1—21:25).
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Lesson 8
Judges—Delivering
God’s People
Judges 1—5
The central theme of the book of Judges is, first, to show how the people of
Israel failed to drive out the pagan tribes in the land of Canaan which resulted
in the corruption of their worship; secondly, to show the course the Lord took
concerning the apostasies of the people of Israel. This led to their repentance
and return to service of Jehovah. However, it proved to be temporary. It seems
that each new generation had to learn the lesson the hard way. These lessons
serve to show God’s displeasure with His children today who walk contrary to
His will. The results will be the same unless genuine repentance and a real
return to true worship is done from the heart.
CALEB AND JUDAH
Judges 1:1-20
The conquest of the Promised Land was not complete at the time of Joshua’s
death. Control of the land had been assured, but various native tribes had
not been destroyed as the Lord commanded. After Joshua’s death, there was
a time of uncertainty as to the leadership of the nation. The people of Israel
did the right thing when they sought the Lord in this important decision.
For about seventy years, they had been under two great leaders, Moses and
Joshua. Unlike Moses, Joshua did not name or anoint one to take his place.
Instead of one individual to lead, “the Lord said, Judah shall go up: behold,
I have delivered the land into his hand” (Judges 1:2). At Judah’s appeal, the
tribe of Simeon agreed to join the campaign against the Canaanites and the
Perizzites. Canaan was the son of Ham and his descendants occupied the
land of Canaan (Gen. 9:18; 10:6). Since they were scattered throughout the
land, the term Canaanite included all the population, even those tribes east
of the Jordan River. The Perizzites (par' i-zit) lived in the Promised Land from
the time of Abram (Gen. 13:7) and were still present during the time of Ezra
and Nehemiah (Ezra 9:1, 2). They were settled in the central and southern
part of the land. There is no mention of them in other writings and nothing is
known of their racial origin. The name implies that they dwelled in unwalled
villages. Adoni-bezek (lord of Bezek) was a title for their king, who had himself
conquered seventy different kings or chiefs. He removed their thumbs and
large toes to render them harmless as warriors. They would not be able to run
or hold a weapon in battle. However, when faced with the armies of Judah and
Simeon, he fled. He was caught and received his just punishment. He confessed
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Judges—Delivering God’s People / 77
that God requited him. The Hebrew word shalam (shaw-lam) means “to give in
return, to make amends or to pay again.” He was brought to Jerusalem where
he died.
The campaign of Judah and Simeon was only partially successful. They
achieved a measure of success against the Philistines who held control of the
central and southern lands along the coast, known today as the Gaza Strip.
The Philistines ruled five city states—Gaza, Askelon, Ashdod, Ekron and Gath.
They are pictured as one of Israel’s most fearsome and dangerous enemies.
The name means “migrants” showing that they came from another country.
Jeremiah 47:4 and Amos 9:7 tell us they came from Caphtor, which is ancient
Crete. They did not drive them out from the valleys because they had chariots
of iron. The chariots were equipped with sharp scythes on the wheels. These
afforded protection for the charioteers. When they drove through the ranks of
the foot soldiers the whirling blades caused much injury. This was a common
type of armament during this time.
BENJAMIN AND MANASSEH
Judges 1:21-36
The remainder of the tribes of Israel also failed to expel the Canaanite
inhabitants from their inherited territories. The tribe of Benjamin failed to
drive out the Jebusites from Jerusalem. Judah had driven them out of their
part of the area (Judges 1:8). The border between the tribes of Judah and
Benjamin runs through the city. According to the table of nations (Gen. 10:15,
16) the Jebusites descended from Canaan. They lived for many years at Jebus,
which was later called Jerusalem. They were not conquered until David’s men,
under Joab, took the city (1 Chron. 11:4-9).
The “house of Joseph” is speaking of the tribe of Ephraim and half the
tribe of Manasseh. They occupied the portion of the Promised Land north of
Jerusalem and bordered Benjamin and Dan on the south. They failed to follow
the Lord’s command in regard to the Canaanites. It is important to understand
that God ordered the Canaanites exterminated. This was not because God is
cruel and vengeful. Jehovah is the God of mercy but also of justice. As the
God of justice, He ordered the destruction of the Canaanites because of their
depraved practices of idolatry (Deut. 9:1-5). The Canaanite false gods were
based on those of Babylon. The religious practices and gods of Babylon became
a part of the land of Canaan. The so-called sacred stone was the main object of
their cultic practices. Amurru, the Amorite god, Ashtoreth, Asherah and Moloch
were names of their false deities. Human sacrifice, especially the offering of
the firstborn son, continued to be practiced to the point that it eventually
plagued the people of Israel and Judah (2 Chron. 33:1-6; Ezek. 23:37-39). Their
depravity was worse than that of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. For this
reason, the righteous and just God decreed their judgment and punishment. It
was to be carried out by Israel.
As the great God of mercy, He gave the Promised Land to the seed of
Abraham. This land was, and is today, one of the most strategic pieces of real
estate anywhere in the world. In biblical times, it had the main trade routes
from the East to Egypt and Africa. Ships sailed from here to Scandinavia,
78 / Judges 1—5
around the Cape of Good Hope on the tip of Africa and on to India. The nation
and people who controlled this Land were in a position of great influence. God
gave this land to the people of Israel so they could influence the whole world
to know Jehovah is the only true and living God. That was their mission then,
and it is our mission today.
Yielding, at times, to the idolatry about them brought the people of Israel
much grief and pain. The book of Judges records what happened when God’s
people failed to obey Him fully. Partial obedience will leave room for pitfalls
and trouble.
JOSHUA TO JUDGES
Judges 2:1-23
There is a key phrase that is used four times in the book of Judges. It is
found in Judges 17:6; and 21:25. It states, “In those days there was no king
in Israel: but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” A similar
thought has found its place in the minds and hearts of many people today. It is
now called doing your own thing. What is wrong with this attitude? The answer
seems clear. We are by nature depraved sinners. If we do our own thing, we will
constantly be sinning. Others may say, I have the right to do as I please. Do
we have the right to do that which will destroy us? Why did God give the Law
and His Word? Because of our sinful nature, we must have restrictions and
rules for our lives. The book of Judges
presents
different
men
under
differing circumstances and records
their reactions. It shows that human
The Angel of the Lord (Judges 2:1):
history is one of ups and downs,
At various times, as chronicled in
times of peace and times of crisis.
the Old Testament Scriptures, the
How these are dealt with depends on
Angel of the Lord appeared to the
one’s relationship with the Lord Jesus
Hebrew people. Most Bible scholars
agree that such appearances were
Christ.
“theophanies,” Old Testament
The words an angel of the Lord is
appearances of the Lord Jesus
repeated fifteen times in the book of
Christ. In this particular passage,
Judges. It is found sixty-four times in
the Lord did not come with glowing
the Bible. This special angel is the Lord
accolades for the faithfulness of the
Himself. This is the same angel who
people. Because they had disobeyed
talked with Joshua (Joshua 5:13, 15).
God and followed after idols, they
were in position to further conquer
This is God keeping another promise
the inhabitants of the Promised
(Ex. 23:20). Traveling from Gilgal
Land but were informed by the
(rolling away) to Bochim (weepers)
Angel of the Lord that they would
in a moral sense was a short journey.
not be able to do so until they
If we are not in the will of God, the
repented and returned to the Lord.
distance between success and failure
By themselves, the Israelites could
is never far.
never have conquered their enemies.
But when they trusted the Lord
God was gracious to Israel. It was He
Jehovah and obeyed His statutes,
who “made you to go up out of Egypt”
His strength made them invincible.
(Judges 2:1). It is the sure mercies
of God that make deliverance and
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salvation a pressing necessity (Heb. 2:3). God’s grace compels us to forsake our
godless ways and accept the love of Christ (2 Cor. 5:14). The Lord blessed the
people of Israel with a rich inheritance. This land meant freedom and peace.
The believer’s freedom and peace is found by faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1;
1 Cor. 7:21, 22). The Lord gave them His unfailing assurance. “My covenant
will I not break” (Psalm 89:34). God will
not alter His Word. (Psalm 89:34). The
League: the word is similar to the
covenant He left His church will never
word covenant in that it refers to
an agreement made by two parties.
be broken or set aside (Matt. 24:35). His
The Bible uses the terms league
Word “endureth for ever” (1 Peter 1:25).
and
covenant interchangeably
Once again the warning is stated
sometimes referring to an
(Judges 2:2). The Canaanites were
agreement between God and man,
bitterly opposed to the plan and purpose
and sometimes an agreement
of the Lord; therefore, any covenant made
between man and man. Word
Study #1285.
with them would be a lie. Satan keeps no
vows (John 8:44). False gods still need to
Bochim: the meaning is to weep,
be challenged and cast down. The cry of
cry and bemoan. A great sadness
Elijah needs to echo around the world
is present in the heart. The
today. “How long halt ye between two
term also suggests humility, as in
opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him:
poor in spirit. This condition is
characteristic of a person who is
but if Baal, then follow him” (1 Kings
filled with a spirit of sorrow. Word
18:21).
Study #1066.
A sad condemnation was made, “Ye
have not obeyed my voice” (Judges
The Snare of Idolatry (Judges 2:3):
The previous warnings the Hebrew
2:2). The people of Israel’s failure
people received during the times of
came because of unbelief (Rom. 11:20).
Moses and Joshua regarding their
Believers today have been faithfully
exclusive relationship to Jehovah
warned to “take heed” (Heb. 3:12).
noted that the Canaanites would
When we complain of failure that is
prove to be a continual source of
antagonism and hindrance if they
of our own making, perhaps we need
turned from the Lord. When the
to ask whether we have obeyed His
temptations of the pagan customs
voice.
and false religious practices of the
The Lord was leading up to His
Canaanites were adopted by the
soul-searching question. “Why have ye
children of Israel, such rendered
done this?” (Judges 2:2). What will the
them weak in the midst of their
enemies. The promises of God,
answer be? How long does it take to
which were reiterated in Judges 2,
learn “without me ye can do nothing”
showed the consistent faithfulness
(John 15:5)? As the reality of the
of God in His keeping of the
Canaanite thorns and snares began to
Abrahamic Covenant. However, the
sink in, the people of Israel “lifted up
fulfillment was postponed until the
Hebrew people turned back to the
their voice, and wept” (Judges 2:3-5).
Lord.
They did not answer with words but
with tears. Such sorrow will produce
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80 / Judges 1—5
what God will honor—“a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart” (Psalm
51:17). It is one thing to express sorrow because one has been caught and yet
another to be truly repentant because we have sinned against God. Believers
need to weep over their sins, but it does not stop there. They must show the
evidence that they have turned from sin to serve God by their fruits.
Godly influence carries a lot of weight. Paul wrote, “For none of us liveth to
himself, and no man dieth to himself” (Rom. 14:7). This simply means that we
all have influence, whether it is good or bad is up to us. Joshua’s influence upon
Israel was for good and lasted for several generations. “And the people served
the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived
Joshua” (Judges 2:7). Godly leaders are important in every phase the Lord’s
work. Men or women are not to be worshiped, but we can say with the apostle
Paul, “Be ye followers of me, even as I
also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). When
Moses passed, Joshua took the torch.
When Joshua passed, the elders of
The Value of Knowing God and
Israel continued to serve the Lord.
His Works (Judges 2:10): The
death of Joshua marked a perilous
Those who entered the Promised
time in the life of the Israelites. The
Land with Joshua were eyewitnesses
Jews of the new generation who had
to the greatness of the Lord during the
ascended to positions of leadership
wilderness journey and the conquest
among the tribes, along with the
of the land. “All that generation
nation as a whole, did not have an
were gathered unto their fathers”
intimate relationship with the Lord
(Judges 2:10). While it is true that one
and had forgotten all of His works
in their midst. If they had known the
generation passes and another comes,
Lord in a vital way by worshiping
it is also true that the Word of God
and serving the Lord exclusively,
remains the same. It is by His Word
His works would have been evident,
that the actions of each generation
not only from the chronicles of the
will be tried.
past, but also from the standpoint of
Two things described the Jews of
their current situation. They would
the new generation. First, it is said
have had a first-hand experience of
God’s mighty deeds among them.
they “knew not the Lord” (verse 10). It
Because they had forsaken the
is hard to believe the people of a nation
Lord in the past, His mighty works
could drift this far in one generation
had temporarily ceased, and any
or about thirty to forty years.
remembrance of God’s previous
Second, the Jews had overlooked
works was long forgotten.
“the works which he had done for
Israel” (Judges 2:10). The Jews of the
new generation were guilty of a number of sins. They were mixing with the
inhabitants of the land. They were following after strange gods. They were
identifying themselves with the Canaanites. Their testimony for the Lord was
tarnished. Identifying with the world will destroy God’s people.
Look at the changes in America beginning in the 1960s until now. There is
a new generation who has not been taught the Judeo-Christian principles on
which America was founded. America has produced a generation who has lost
its will to fight for what is right.
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“For my people have committed
two evils; they have forsaken me
the fountain of living waters, and
hewed them out cisterns, broken
cisterns, that can hold no water”
(Jer. 2:13). There is much being done
today in the name of Christianity
that will not hold water. It is being
presented by cracked pots and
being poured into broken cisterns.
This is an example of the Israelite’s
new generation (Judges 2:11, 12).
They were serving Baalim and had
forsaken the Lord. Baal means
“lord.” He was the supreme male
divinity of the Canaanites. The
“im” makes it plural. The “Baalim”
was the name given to identify the
various deities of the land. During
the time of Judges, they made altars
for false gods (Judges 2:2).
Manna
Israel’s Ultimate Test (Judges 2:23):
After the Lord initially gave the
people of Israel some success against
some of the pagan nations during
the ministry of some of the judges,
they turned back to their sinful
ways again. The Lord temporarily
ceased His judgment on the nations
and allowed them to resume
their antagonism of the nation of
Israel. Through these events, the
Lord sought to test the people to
see whether there would be any
among them who would finally see
the error of their ways and return
to their exclusive worship and
service of Jehovah, thus, completely
abandoning the pagan customs
and idolatrous worship of the false
deities of the Canaanites.
How could they witness for Jehovah
when they had become like the
Canaanites? True believers need to heed
this lesson and learn well the admonition
of Paul (2 Cor. 6:14-18). If they were like
us and sound in the faith, why did they
leave us? The answer is found in 1 John
2:19.
The remaining verses of Judges chapter
2 are a capsule summary of the entire
book—the people sin, God judges, the
people repent, God restores and the cycle continues. This is undeniable proof
that the Lord is long-suffering (Psalm 86:15; 2 Peter 3:9). It would seem that
the people of Israel would soon learn their lesson. However, each generation
faced the bitter experience and learned it for themselves. Why is it that we do
not learn from the experience of others? Why must we drink from the bitter cup
before we repent and return to the sweet water of life, Jesus Christ?
Anger . . . Was Hot: the term for
anger refers to the nostril flaring
with hard or excited breathing.
The meaning of hot is “to blaze up
in heat or glowing with heat. “ The
two together mean an intensity
of what might be considered a
negative emotion showing in the
face of the Lord. Word Studies
#639 and #2734.
OTHNIEL TO SHAMGAR
Judges 3:1-31
The Lord left several nations to prove Israel—the five lords of the Philistines,
the Canaanites, the Sidonians and the Hivites. The longer the people of Israel
dwelt among them the more they became like them (Judges 3:1-7). Because
of their sins, the Lord “sold” (from the Hebrew word makar, meaning “to
surrender or be given over to,” (Judges 2:14) them for eight years into the hand
82 / Judges 1—5
of Chushan-rishathaim (ku’-shan-rish’-a-tha-im) king of Mesopotamia. Israel
cried unto the Lord and He raised up Othniel, Caleb’s younger brother and
son-in-law. He was Israel’s first judge after the death of Joshua. He delivered
the people of Israel from the hand of Chushan-rishathaim and judged Israel for
forty years.
With the death of Othniel, the days of rest ended when the people of Israel
once again sinned. Eglon, king of Moab, got help from Ammon and Amalek
and subdued Israel for eighteen years. When they cried to the Lord, He raised
up Ehud a left-handed man. He was chosen to deliver their tribute. He made
a two-edged dagger eighteen inches long and hid it under his clothes. Once
the tribute was delivered and the others had left, Ehud returned to the king’s
parlor. Under the pretense of having a secret message from God, Ehud found
himself alone with the king. Eglon rose from his seat and Ehud took the dagger
and shoved it into the belly of the king. Ehud had locked the door so he could
make his escape before the body of Eglon was discovered. Ehud led the people
of Israel against Moab, and they had rest for eighty years.
After Ehud’s bloody victory over Eglon, there arose Shamgar who fought
with the Philistines armed only with an ox goad. This was an implement made
of wood about eight feet long with an iron spike at one end. It was used to spur
oxen as they plowed. Shamgar used this to kill six hundred Philistines. We are
not told whether this was in one battle or over the period of his life. This was
possibly done during the eighty years of rest under Ehud. Therefore, enemies
to the east and west were subdued. Nothing more is known about Shamgar.
DEBORAH AND BARAK
Judges 4:1-24
This is the people of Israel’s third apostasy. They could not seem to leave
the idols of the Canaanites alone. This time God gave them over to the hand
of Jabin, king of the Canaanites. This was a royal title meaning “intelligent.”
He ruled from Hazor. There are five towns mentioned in the Bible with this
name. The one mentioned here was an important town in northern Canaan
during the time of Joshua. Joshua almost annihilated it. About one hundred
fifty-five years had passed, and the Canaanites during that time rebuilt the
city. Its modern day ruins are at Tell-el-Qedah about eight miles north of the
Sea of Galilee. Jabin and this group of Canaanites had gained dominion over
the tribes of Naphtali, Zebulun and Issachar. Jabin was able to muster nine
hundred chariots of iron armed with scythes, like those of the Philistines.
Note that neither Hazor nor its king play an important role in chapters
4 and 5. The center of attention is on the captain of the host, whose name is
Sisera (see-ser-aw) which means “battle array.” He with his chariots and army
for twenty years “mightily oppressed” Israel (Judges 4:3). The Hebrew word
lachatas (law-khats) is the same word used in Exodus 3:9 to describe Israel’s
oppression in Egypt.
Of the thirteen judges who ruled the people of Israel, Deborah is the only
woman among them. The name Deborah means “bee.” She is identified as being
a “prophetess,” or a woman who prophesied. Note that this godly woman did
not come on the scene demanding recognition, nor was she attempting to set up
some new order in Israel. Had this been the case, she would have been rejected
by the Lord and by the people of Israel. Self-seekers will never accomplish the
will of God in their lives. We need to see Deborah as a woman who dedicated
her life to God that she might help them in their time of need. We are not
told outright why God chose her over a man. Such places of leadership were
typically reserved for men. From what is recorded, it may be that there was
not a man who was willing to take on the responsibility. The Lord intended for
men to be the leaders in spiritual and civil affairs. However, when men will not
accept their God-appointed roles, they become the hesitant losers, as is clearly
shown in the history of Deborah and Barak. Nothing more is known about
Deborah’s husband, Lapidoth (lap-pee-doth). His name means “torches.” He is
not to be confused with Barak, whose name means “lightening.”
Unlike the other judges who were called into service in response to
oppression, Deborah was already serving the people of Israel as both a judge and
prophetess. “She judged Israel at that time” (Judges 4:4). She had a designated
place that she held court. The “palm tree of Deborah” (verse 5) was located
about nine miles north of Jerusalem between Ramah and Beth-el which is in
the hill country of the tribe of Ephraim. She may have been an Ephraimite, or
it is possible that she belonged to the tribe of Issachar (Judges 5:15). We are
not told how long Deborah was ministering before the battle took place against
Sisera.
Deborah understood that battles would have to be fought to free the people
of Israel from Jabin’s oppression. She understood that her place was not on the
battlefield. She was led of the Lord to send for Barak. Hebrews 11:32 lists him
along with Gideon and Samson as men of faith. He was from Kedesh, in the
tribe of Naphtali. It is five miles west of Huleh Lake and fourteen miles north
of the Sea of Galilee. This is about eighty-five miles north of where Deborah
lived. Barak lived close to the Canaanite oppressors in Galilee.
Barak hesitated in spite of God’s call and assurance. Deborah challenged
him with these words, “Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go
and draw toward mount Tabor” (Judges 4:6). Mount Tabor rises from the plain
of Esdraelon, 1,843 feet above sea level. It has a broad top of nearly a mile in
circumference. This would give Barak a strong position from which to attack
out of the reach of Sisera’s chariots. His request for Deborah to go with him was
not necessarily a sign of weakness. It was the custom to take something dear
to you into the battle. The request of Barak to have the judge and prophetess of
Israel is perfectly logical. Her presence would encourage boldness in the troops.
Deborah agreed to go but prophetically told him that Sisera would be delivered
by the Lord into the hand of a woman.
Barak mustered ten thousand men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun.
They were poorly equipped to met Sisera’s forces of chariots and footmen, but
with God’s assurance and the encouraging words of Deborah, Barak had all
that he needed for victory.
A parenthetical note introduces Heber a Kenite who left his tribe in the
south and moved north. His tent was in the plain of Zaanaim (za'a-na'im) near
Kedesh. The providence of God was at work placing this family to be used in
the people of Israel’s deliverance. Moving ten thousand men up Mount Tabor
84 / Judges 1—5
could not be kept secret and Barak did not wish it to be so. Sisera was informed,
and he moved his chariots and men into position for what he possibly thought
would be an easy victory. Sisera’s strategy was to lure Barak and the people
of Israel to fight in the river valley. At the time appointed, “Deborah said unto
Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into
thine hand” (verse 14).
The battle, as in the past, was the Lord’s. It was He who discomfited (from
the Hebrew word hamam meaning “to put in commotion, confuse or to crush”)
Sisera. The battle turned against him, Sisera left his chariot and ran on foot.
He made his way to the tent of Heber because he had made peace with Jabin.
Heber’s wife, Jael, met the fleeing Sisera and insisted he come in the tent and
rest. Believing he was safe, Sisera fell into a deep sleep. Jael took a hammer
and drove a tent stake “into his temples and fastened it into the ground” (verse
21). When Barak came looking for Sisera, Jael showed him what she had done.
Jabin was also destroyed by the hand of God.
DEBORAH’S SONG
Judges 5:1-31
This is a declaration of praise and thanksgiving to God. The leaders joined
together in worship and praise. Their song challenged the people to join
with them. They praised God for leading His people in a mighty victory. God
demonstrated His awesome presence and power. Sisera, depending on his
chariots to easily strike against the people of Israel in the valley near the river
of Kishon, did not allow for a thunderstorm and heavy rain (Judges 5:4, 21). In
the downpour, the river swelled and swept them away. The heavy chariots also
bogged down in the mud. The weapons of man are useless against the Almighty
God.
Conditions were oppressive under the Canaanites. Roads had been
abandoned, and village life had ceased. “Until that I Deborah arose, that I
arose a mother in Israel” (verse 7). There was an urgent need for a deliverer.
Israel had chosen new gods. War was at the gates of their cities and villages,
but they had no weapons. Do we need a deliverer today? God in His grace and
mercy has given us a deliverer, “Who delivered us from so great a death, and
doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us” (2 Cor. 1:10).
Deborah and Barak sang and praised God for His acts of peace and security.
The leaders were aroused to take a stand with the Lord and the armies of
Israel. The roads were safe to travel (Judges 5:10). The wells were secured and
safe (verse 11). The people of Israel had once again witnessed the blessings
of the Lord within their cities. True believers know the peace and security
that comes from trusting the Lord (Col. 1:20). Jesus promised His disciples His
peace (John 14:27; 16:33).
The song praised God for His faithful believers and followers (Judges 5:12).
Six tribes volunteered for duty. Machir was the eldest son of Manasseh living
west of the Jordan. Four tribes shirked their duty: Reuben, east Manasseh,
Dan and Asher. A curse was put on those who refused to rally to the fight (verse
23).
A special verse was sung for Jael and her courage (verses 24-27). Note the
agonizing waiting for the dead by Sisera’s mother (verses 28-30). This was
Israel’s song for all their enemies (verse 31).
CONCLUSION
It is important to note how one godly leader’s influence brought spiritual
revival among God’s people whom God gave decisive victories over their
enemies. This brought about times of rejoicing and praise to God for His
wondrous blessings. This should challenge us to commit ourselves fully to the
work of the Lord. The word commit means “put in the custody of.” This is what
Christians need to do. We need to put ourselves in God’s custody. He will invest
our lives for blessings and joy.
Lesson 9
Gideon—Defeating
the Midianites
Judges 6—12
God’s plan always succeeds whether or not His children obey. We cannot
limit God’s plan nor be the cause of any part of it to fail. Looking at this from
our point of view, if we are to be successful, we must obey God’s Word. There is
no real, lasting success in any of our ventures if God is left out (Acts 17:28).
The call to service is different for each of God’s children. Gideon was called to
raise an army of faithful and courageous men to free the people of Israel from
their enemies. Following God’s Word, Gideon was blessed with overwhelming
success.
It is important that we do not make rash or unwise commitments. We should
stop, pray and think before we speak and take action. The people of Israel’s
repeated apostasies led them to seek and find leaders in some unusual men.
DELIVERER CHOSEN
Judges 6:1-32
Seven times in the book of Judges we read the statement, Israel did evil in
the sight of the Lord. The problem stemmed from disobedience to God’s Law.
Twice we read, “In those days there was no king in Israel, . . . every man did
that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6; 21:25). Once again the Lord
delivered them into the hands of an enemy.
Who were the Midianites? The Midianites descended from Midian, son
of Abraham and Keturah (Gen. 25:1, 2). They inhabited the desert north of
the Arabian peninsula. The peninsula served as pastureland for their flocks.
They were the dominant tribe in this area. The Midianites were friendly to
the Israelites as long as they passed through the distant pasturelands; but
when Israel passed the land of Edom and entered the land of Midian, they
joined with Balak, king of Moab against them (Num. 22:4-7). Balaam was sent
to curse the people of Israel, but failed to do so. However, he encouraged the
Midianites to befriend the Israelites. This caused the people of Israel to sin
and worship Baal-peor. Their apostasy brought the judgment of God that killed
twenty-four thousand people (Num. 25:9).
The Midianites did not go unpunished. Vengeance was spoken against them.
A thousand men of war from each tribe of Israel, led by Phinehas, went up
against them. The Midianites ran in retreat. Their cities were burned, five of
their kings were put to death and the nation was destroyed (Joshua 13:21, 22).
86
Gideon—Defeating the Midianites / 87
The country on the east of Jordan was conquered by the Israelites and was
divided among the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh.
Two hundred years later the Midianites, having recovered from their past
defeat, formed a confederacy with the Amalekites the children of the east.
Amalek was the son of Eliphaz and grandson of Esau (Gen. 36:12). He, and his
descendants, had a lifelong hatred for the Israelites. The children of the east
designates the inhabitants east of Israel, the nomads of the Syrian and Arabian
desert. This group of ungodly pagans made war against their old enemies, the
Israelites. The people of Israel were oppressed and under subjection for seven
years. They were greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, they cried
unto the Lord.
The Lord sent a prophet to declare His judgment upon disobedient Israel
(Judges 6:7-10). This unnamed prophet clearly stated the reason for the people
of Israel’s oppression. “I am the Lord your God; . . . but ye have not obeyed
my voice” (verse 10). The cause for judgment also implies the cure. Return to
Jehovah, and He will return and restore you to His favor. Regardless of how
impoverished and browbeaten (verses 6,
7), victory is with the Lord.
Mighty Man of Valour: the phrase
Regardless of the size and strength
refers to a man who has great ability
of the enemy (verses 4-6), victory is with
and who is capable of producing a
the Lord. Satan and the world may have
desired result. This ability may be
due to his great physical strength
but, in some cases, may be due to
his cunning intelligence or influence.
Jehovah-shalom: the phrase is a
descriptive name for God. Jehovah
is a name which God gave so Israel
would know Him by this name.
Jehovah, in an early form, was
Yahweh, which means “the Lord who
reveals Himself.” The term shalom
represents wellness, happiness and
especially peace. The whole phrase,
therefore, means “the Lord reveals
His peace” or “the Lord of peace.”
Word Studies #3073, #3068 and
#7965.
Poor: the meaning is to be lowly,
humble, helpless, reduced or weak.
The word means the opposite
of rich. The poverty may be from
monetary riches or the term may be
describing the spirit of a person. The
poor person is lacking in something
of value and becomes dependent on
others. Word Study #1800.
Manna
The Angel of the Lord (Judges
6:11): Just as Jesus Christ appeared
as the Angel of the Lord to the
patriarchs, He arrived on the scene
again during the middle years of the
time of the Judges. This appearance
of Jesus in the Old Testament era
(known as a “theophany”) was for
the purpose of extending a call to a
human instrument of deliverance
whose name was Gideon. He was
from the tribe of Manasseh and was
threshing wheat in a wine press.
Such was unusual since it was a
common method to thresh wheat in
an open area in order for the chaff
to be carried away by the wind.
However, because of the oppression
of the Midianites, Gideon hid
himself in the winepress in order
to both hide from the imposing
Midianites and also complete the
task of threshing his wheat. The
Angel of the Lord sat under a
terebinth tree (probably an oak).
88 / Judges 6—12
us thinking we are defeated, but Jesus is the Lord of hosts (Psalm 46:7); and He
is greater than all of Satan’s forces (1 John 4:4). The “angel of the Lord” (verse
11) appeared to Gideon. This was a preincarnate theophany of Jesus Christ.
When He appeared to Moses in the burning bush, He identified Himself as
God (Ex. 3:2-6).
The name Gideon means “smiter,” or “hewer.” This expression was used of
a warrior. He was from the tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 17:2). Ophrah was a
village in the tribal lot of Manasseh west of the Jordan. It was near the plain of
Esdraelon or Megiddo. Modern Afula six miles east of Megiddo is built on this
ancient site.
Regardless of the inexperience of the leaders (Judges 6:15-17), victory is with
the Lord. Gideon realized he was not talking to a mortal man. Gideon pleaded
that his family was poor and his tribe, Manasseh, was among the weakest in
Israel.
The Angel of the Lord led in bringing deliverance to Israel. First was the
prayer for deliverance (Judges 6:3-6). Second was the calling and molding of
His chosen leader (verses 11-24). Third was the casting down of Baal (verses 2532). Gideon put it to the test. Tests are essential to assure quality. Everything
that is legally offered to the public must meet certain standards. God tested
His servant and His servant often tested Him. Gideon made an offering in
the presence of the angel, and He brought forth fire to devour it (verses 1721). Gideon, too, must pass the test before going into service. With ten trusted
servants, they went at night and destroyed the pagan altars. This enraged the
men of the city, and they wanted to kill Gideon. Joash put this question and
challenge to them, “If he be a god, let him plead for himself” (verses 27-31).
DELIVERANCE GRANTED
Judges 6:33—7:25
The voice of the Lord was not heard
from again until the Midianites and their
Came upon: the meaning is to
allies came into Israel on their yearly
wrap around an object so as to
cover its outer surface. The word
ransack of the land. The new revelation
is sometimes used in the sense of
both equipped and confirmed Gideon’s
clothing a body. A thing is being
call. When the spirit of the Lord came upon
placed immediately and intimately
Gideon, he blew a trumpet and his family
in contact with the surface so
responded by coming to him. Messengers
that it covers the object. The
were sent to the tribes of Manasseh, Asher,
object then bears the clothing.
This may apply to bearing physical
Zebulun and Naphtali (Judges 6:3-35).
things or non-physical, such as,
Gideon still needed God’s assurance
power, confidence or influence.
that He would deliver the people of Israel
Word Study #3847.
from their enemies. This was not done
because of unbelief, but because of his
vigilant faith. Gideon put out the fleece of wool on his threshing floor, not once,
but twice, and God graciously answered both times (Judges 6:36-40). It is
wonderful when we witness the long-suffering and forbearance of the Lord as
he deals with us.
Jerubbaal: the word was an early name
for Gideon. The name refers to Baal
which was a Canaanite god often
finding its way into the lives of the
Hebrew people. The name also speaks
of contending so that some translate
the name as “let Baal contend or
show his power.” Word Studies #3378,
#1168 and #7378.
Manna
Putting Out the Fleece (Judges 6:3640): Even though Gideon’s confidence
in the Lord was evident, it was far
from complete. As such, he needed
constant reminders and assurances
that the Lord would, indeed, come
through for the people of Israel.
The judge of Israel requested a sign.
He placed a woolen fleece on the
threshing floor and asked the Lord to
provide the saturation of dew upon
the fleece while the surrounding
ground would be completely dry.
God performed what Gideon
requested, but it was not enough for
Gideon. For additional assurance
that he would lead them in the will of
Jehovah, he requested that the Lord
perform the opposite. The woolen
fleece was to be completely dry while
the surrounding ground would be
saturated with dew. Again, the Lord
obliged and the sign was given, as
requested. The second sign required
more faith. Since the fleece would
naturally be more absorbent than the
ground, dry fleece with saturated
earth surrounding it showed a much
greater miraculous work on the part
of the Lord.
Manna
The Spirit of the Lord (Judges 6:34):
With the Midianites and a host of
allied nations assisting them in their
quest to overcome Israel in Canaan,
the Spirit of the Lord impressed
Himself upon the heart of Gideon
to take courage and assemble an
army of the northern tribes. As the
Lord enabled him to see beyond the
human strength of the Midianites,
Amalekites and the other eastern
armies, Gideon sounded the
trumpet to prepare for battle. The
courage he received translated into
a significant act of faith on his part
which had been expressed earlier by
Joshua and Caleb in the wilderness,
and later in the heart of David, the
shepherd boy who was not afraid of
the Philistine giant, Goliath. Such
faith related a vital spiritual truth
to the people of Israel during those
times—the battle is the Lord’s.
Gideon
gathered
his
forces
at “the well of Harod” (terror or
trembling, Judges 7:1) just north of
Mount Gilboa. The Midianites and
Amalekites were camped by the “hill
of Moreh” (verse 1). The city of Nain is
on the northwest slope. “Not by might,
nor by power, but by my spirit, saith
the Lord” (Zech. 4:6). The truth of this
verse applies to the experience Gideon
and his army of thirty-two thousand
men were facing. The Lord would not
allow that many to go into battle, “lest
Israel vaunt themselves against me,
saying, Mine own hand hath save me”
(Judges 7:2). Those who were cowardly
were told to go home. Twenty-two
thousand left leaving Gideon with ten
thousand men. But the Lord said, “The people are yet too many” (verse 4). Only
three hundred men passed the test of readiness, and it was by these “three
hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine
hand” (verse 7). Can you picture how Gideon must have felt? He, like us, needed
90 / Judges 6—12
Manna
As a Dog Lappeth (Judges 7:5): For
the Lord to impress upon the minds
and hearts of the men of Israel that
He would provide the essence of
their victory over the Midianites,
their remaining ten thousand
troops (from the original thirty-two
thousand) had to be significantly
reduced. The soldiers were to go
to the spring of Harod, and Gideon
was to observe the manner in
which they drank. Those soldiers
who reclined at the edge of the
water and drank were eliminated
from consideration of continuing
as soldiers. Nine thousand seven
hundred men were, on the basis of
that test, disqualified from serving.
The remaining three hundred men
simply retrieved water from the
spring with their hand and drank
while still being able to observe
the events around them. The
comparatively small army was
no match against the surpassing
numbers of the Midianites and their
allies. However, when the Lord
was with His people, the matchups
didn’t matter; God and His people
were a far greater majority.
two soldiers talking. The first soldier
was telling about his strange dream,
“A cake of barley bread tumbled into
the host of Midian” and it destroyed
tent after tent (verse 13). The other
soldier gave this interpretation,
“This is nothing else save the sword
of Gideon the son of Joash, a man
of Israel: for into his hand hath God
delivered Midian” (verse 14).
This was the final encouragement
Gideon needed. He returned to his
camp and told his three hundred men,
“Arise; for the Lord hath delivered
into your hand the host of Midian”
to learn to lean on the Lord, and not
the arm of the flesh. “There is no
restraint to the Lord to save by many
or by few” (1 Sam. 14:6).
God sent Gideon to the enemy
camp with these words of assurance,
“Arise, get thee down unto the host;
for I have delivered it into thine hand”
(Judges 7:9). Gideon took his servant,
Phurah, and went down to spy on the
Midianite camp. When they came
within listening distance, they heard
Manna
The Weapons of Gideon (Judges
7:20): An army of three hundred
versus an army whose numbers
were described as incalculable,
probably seemed rather imposing.
However, the plan of Gideon was
to equip his soldiers with trumpets,
pitchers (large jars) and torches
to be placed in the pitchers. The
vessels were not transparent so the
torches would not be illuminated
until the pitchers were broken. They
were to stand on the ridge of the
edge of the Midianite camp and
wait for Gideon’s instructions. The
three hundred men were divided
into three companies, to render
the suggestion to their unaware
enemies that they were a much
larger army than they actually were.
They waited until the second watch
(between 10:00 p.m. and midnight)
before they assembled as ordered.
Once in their places, the pitchers
were broken, revealing the three
hundred torches, the trumpets were
sounded and the shout, “The sword
of the Lord, and of Gideon” was
boldly repeated. The crash of the
pitchers, the blast of the trumpets,
the illumination of the torches and,
finally, the chorus of the great shout,
confused their opponents who fled
from the scene.
(verse 15). Strategy and timing are important when planning to take military
action. The three hundred men were armed with nothing that would resemble
an instrument of war. Gideon divided them into three companies, and each
man was given a trumpet (Hebrew shophar, a ram’s horn), an earthenware
pitcher, each containing a torch. As long as the torch was in the pitcher, it
would smolder and smoke for lack of oxygen. However, when the pitcher was
broken and the torch waved in the night air, it would burst into a bright flame.
The Midianites were literally in the dark as to the size of the Israelite forces.
They were smug and not worried about an attack, especially at midnight. Most
unbelievers reject the warnings of coming judgment. But when the hour of
reckoning comes, they will be more confused and afraid than the Midianites.
It was important for the three hundred men to follow their leader’s orders
(Judges 7:17, 18). Christians, we have a leader, the Lord Jesus Christ. To
be successful in our daily battles it is important for us to look to Him and
follow His orders. The effect of three hundred men continuously blowing their
trumpets, waving three hundred bright torches in the dark of the night and
shouting “the sword of the Lord, and of Gideon” struck terror in the hearts of
the abruptly awakened enemy. They panicked and began to “set every man’s
sword against his fellow” (verses 19-22). Note what was said of Gideon’s three
hundred men, “They stood every man in his place round about the camp” (verse
21). What was said of them, should be said about the men and women in the
Lord’s New Testament churches.
God gave the men of Israel the victory at the camp, but they were not
finished with the battle. Those who had returned home earlier now returned
to fight alongside their brothers in pursuit of the Midianites and their total
defeat. The Ephraimites assisted by blocking the escape route at “the waters
unto Beth-barah and Jordan.” This is where the northern fords met the Jordan
River (verses 23-25).
DELIVERER’S DEATH
Judges 8:1-35
Jealousy arose between some tribes and cities of Israel that brought about
heart-rending consequences. Even though the nation of Israel was one, and
there was to be only one form of worship in all of Israel, there was excessive
jealousy and constant squabbling between the various tribes. This was apparent
from the way Gideon was treated after the successful campaign against the
Midianites (Judges 8:1-3).
The men of Ephraim were upset because Gideon had not called them to
the fight. The people of Succoth, located in the tribal allotment of Gad four
miles east of the Jordan River and north of the brook Jabbok refused to give
provision to Gideon and his three hundred weary men. The city of Penuel, five
miles southeast from Succoth, also refused any aid. Gideon promised swift and
sure retribution upon them when he returned in victory over the remaining
Midianites. The armies from the east that invaded Israel had already lost a
hundred twenty thousand men. Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian, along
with fifteen thousand men fled to Karkor (not mentioned anywhere else in
Scripture). Karkor was in the area of Nobah, in Gilead of the tribe of Manasseh
(Num. 32:40-42), and Jogbehah was a city in the tribe of Gad (verses 34, 35).
92 / Judges 6—12
The remaining pagan armies were routed and the two kings were taken captive
(Judges 8:4-12).
Gideon kept his promise on this return trip. He proceeded to scourge the
seventy-seven elders of Succoth with thorn bushes and briars, and he destroyed
the fortified tower of Penuel (verses 13-17). Gideon ordered a grim fate upon
Zebah and Zalmunna. From the text it looks as if they were responsible for
the death of some of Gideon’s family. The kings could have been kept as slaves,
sold or slain. Gideon ordered his young son Jether to kill them, but Jether was
afraid. Gideon killed them with his own hand. The ornaments Gideon took
away were small crescent-shaped moons of gold and silver. The worship of the
moon was a common practice among the pagan tribes living in Canaan. The
phrase “took away” (verse 21) implies Gideon did with them what he did to the
pagan altars.
When all was settled and peace was once again in the land, the men of Israel
asked Gideon to be king over the nation and his family to begin a dynasty.
Gideon wisely refused their offer for himself or for his sons. He knew from his
own experience that only Jehovah should be the ruler over His chosen people.
Gideon, like all men, was not without his faults. He willingly received
offerings from the soldiers who went with him in battle against the Midianites
and their allies. Each man brought Gideon the golden earrings that were worn
by the pagan soldiers. This amounted to about fifty pounds. Gideon made an
ephod. We are not told what Gideon’s intentions were, but the people began to
wrongfully worship it. This became a snare to him and his house. The same
holds true today for many and their worship of crosses.
Gideon was a polygamist, and his many wives gave birth to seventy sons.
His concubine at Shechem bare him an illegitimate son named Abimelech.
He is noted because of the role he played after his father’s death. As soon as
Gideon passed away, “the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring
after Baalim, and made Baal-berith their god” (verse 33) which means “lord of
the covenant.” It was berith because the people of Israel made a covenant of
worship with this idol. Once again swallowed up with idolatry, they forgot the
kindness and goodness done by Gideon. Worst of all, they forgot the Lord who
delivered them.
THE BRAMBLE KING
Judges 9:1-57
The name Abimelech (a-bim-e-lek) means, “my father is king.” He understood
the offer made to Gideon, “Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy
son’s son” (Judges 8:22). To get himself promoted to such a lofty position,
he schemed with his mother’s family to kill all the legal sons of Gideon and
take rule over the people of Israel. The men of Shechem were ready to follow
Abimelech because he was related to them through his mother. They gave him
seventy pieces of silver to hire “vain and light persons” (Judges 9:4) to do the
dirty work. The conspiracy almost succeeded. Sixty-nine of Gideon’s sons were
slain on one stone. The youngest son, Jotham, somehow managed to escape
(Judges 9:1-5).
Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem assembled at Millo, which is the
Hebrew word for a rampart or citadel fortification. The “house of Millo” (verse
6) refers to those living in the citadel. Although they may have been small in
number, they possessed the fortress stronghold. All of the Canaanite chiefs
were also called kings. This was unknown among the Israelites. The citizens of
Shechem bestowing this title upon Abimelech was a sign of a strong Canaanite
influence. The ceremony took place, “by the plain of the pillar” (verse 6). This
is the Hebrew word elon (ay-lone) which is an oak tree. This was a well-known
spot near the city. Abram passed by here (Gen. 12:6). Jacob buried the strange
gods from his father-in-law’s house here (Gen. 35:4). It was from here that
Joshua challenged Israel to serve Jehovah, and here he set up a great stone as
a memorial (Joshua 24:15-27).
Hearing about what was happening, Jotham courageously climbed to the
top of Mount Gerizim, which is southwest of the city and near the place of the
coronation. This mountain had a triangular outcropping that made a natural
pulpit. The lay of land here made it possible for one’s voice to be heard over a
great distance. Those at the base of the mountian had no difficulty hearing and
understanding Jotham’s fable. The point of the fable was that Abimelech was
the least qualified to lead, let alone be king. He was constantly at odds with
his own subjects. This did not include the people of Israel, but a small area of
a few towns and villages in the center of the country. When he went to destroy
the city of Thebez, which had revolted against him, a woman threw a millstone
from the wall. It struck his head, and he ordered his armor bearer to run him
through with his sword. He did not want it said that he was killed by a woman.
The curse of Jotham came to pass.
CRYING TO THE LORD
Judges 10:1-18
Tola became the seventh judge of Israel. Little happened during the twentythree years of his judging. After him was Jair, who judged Israel for twentytwo years. With the passing of Jair, “the children of Israel did evil again in the
sight of the Lord, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth” (Judges 10:6). For their
rebellion, God gave them over to the Philistines and the Ammonites. The people
of Israel were in servitude to them for eighteen years. When they cried to the
Lord in repentance, they received a different answer than at other times. They
were told, “Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver
you in the time of your tribulation” (verse 14). Why would the Lord answer His
chosen people in such a manner? He was teaching them that true repentance
involves more than being sorry. The Lord was tired of playing games with
them.
If you serve the gods of pagan religion, you have to get ready to suffer the
bondage that goes with that error. It is impossible to continue in sin, forsaking
the Lord and not pay the price. Worshiping and serving any god or anything
other than Jehovah is not something the Lord will overlook. Those who forsake
the truth and the Lord’s assembly will suffer from a hampered prayer life and
a real lack of God’s blessings. It is not God who moves away, but sin moves us
away and puts distance between us and Him (Isa. 59:1-3).
After eighteen years under the Philistines and Ammonites, the people of
Israel reached the end of their rope. It is sad that the Lord had to deal with
them in such a manner. Finally, the broken and contrite of heart cried out, “We
94 / Judges 6—12
have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee” (Judges
10:15). This was a plea for mercy. At long last they understood that they
deserved the punishment received for their sins. There is always a price to pay
when we rebel against God.
True repentance means that one turns from the sins and, at the same time,
turns to God. It is a complete about-face. The children of Israel showed their
repentance was genuine by their actions. They put away the strange gods. God
was moved and His mercy prevailed.
BE OUR CAPTAIN
Judges 11:1—12:15
Jephthah is named among the heroes of faith (Heb. 11:32, 33). Jephthah’s
story is that of every sinner being lifted up and used by our gracious and merciful
God. Jephthah speaks to the heart of every human who has ever felt rejected
or feels like an outcast. Jehovah is the God of compassion and love toward all.
The rejected of the world are made acceptable to God by the gift of His grace
and mercy through Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:6). Be careful not to judge Jephthah or
others, but let us look to Him who judgeth in righteousness (Psalm 9:8).
Jephthah was born in sin (Judges 11:1). He was a mighty man of valour, but
he was also the son of a harlot. Regardless of how mighty we may appear in the
eyes of the world, we, by nature, are not fit for the kingdom of God. By nature,
we are children of wrath (iniquity) (Eph. 2:3). By nature we are all sinners
(Rom. 3:23). Jephthah, as well as we, need a new birth and life in Christ (John
3:3). The carnal (fleshly) nature is ever with us (Rom. 7:18). Jephthah could
not, nor can we make our flesh clean.
Jephthah was disinherited (Judges 11:2). Because of his birth, Jephthah was
forbidden to enter into the congregation of the Lord (Deut. 23:2). Jephthah’s
rights were destroyed by the sin of his father. What we do affects others. Adam’s
sin affected the whole human race (Rom. 5:12). Our children and grandchildren
may reap the wild oats and wind we have sown (Ex. 20:5; Hosea 8:7). Like
Jephthah, the unrighteous have no inheritance in God’s kingdom (1 Cor. 6:9,
10). No one can claim an inheritance in God’s kingdom by an earthly title. No
one can claim an inheritance in God’s kingdom by their works or some religious
rite, such title deeds are forgeries. A believer’s inheritance comes by faith in
Jesus Christ (Acts 26:18). Believers are children of God and, therefore, heirs.
It is not if we are children, but, since or forasmuch, as we are children that we
are heirs (Rom. 8:15-17).
Jephthah became a companion of the vain (Judges 11:3). If people reject
Jesus, the church and God’s people, where else is there for them to go? They
are like sheep without a shepherd (Isa. 53:6). Their path may look good to
them and the world, but what is at the end of the road they are traveling (Prov.
14:12)? This is how unbelievers are before Christ.
Believers were like this until they met Jesus and put their faith in Him (1
Cor. 6:11). Like Jephthah, they are known by the company they keep. Worldly
attempts will never satisfy because they do not satisfy God.
Jephthah got an invitation that changed his life (Judges 11:4-6). The elders
of Israel saw what others failed to see. What could the Christians at Damascus
and Jerusalem possibly see in the gifted, but Christ-hating, Saul of Tarsus?
Jephthah was called to become one with the house of Israel. Here was an
invitation to gain a respectable name and inheritance among God’s people.
God is calling us to be one with His family and to have a glorious inheritance
among the saints (Eph. 1:11-14). The inheritance of the saints is eternal. Jesus
Christ is giving us an invitation to come to Him and “reason” together or make
right our sins (Isa. 1:18), satisfy our soul’s thirst for mercy and grace (Isa. 55:13), leave death behind and come into life everlasting (John 5:24).
Jephthah covenanted with the Lord (Judges 11:11). He saw his need to be
reconciled to God before going to battle. We will battle only to be defeated if we
are not fully enlisted in the Lord’s army. It is not the strong arm of the flesh but
the softness of the contrite heart that wins the battles.
Jephthah was endued with power (verse 29). The power did not come until
he gave himself to the Lord. Jephthah made a vow to sacrifice to the Lord
whatever came out to meet him when he returned in victory (verses 30, 31).
Jephthah was victorious (verses 32, 33). God can mold and make good use
of what the world discards. God’s grace and mercy can reach and change any
repentant soul. Proof of the change in Jephthah’s life is noted by the fact that
he kept his vow even though it involved his only daughter (verses 34-40). The
Law forbade human sacrifice (Deut. 18:10). After his daughter mourned her
virginity, it is said, “She knew no man” (Judges 11:39). She was to live a life of
separation to the Lord, in service at His tabernacle. The Law provided for such
dedication of both men and women. Remember that Jephthah was led of the
Lord. The Lord would not have led him to disobey the Law.
The Ephraimites were a proud, arrogant people. They believed themselves to
be the natural leaders of the people of Israel. They showed this in their jealousy
toward Gideon. However, when they complained to Jephthah and threatened
him with destruction, he showed his competence by reminding them that he
had issued a call for leaders in the battle against Ammon, but they did not
respond.
In answer to their threat, he rallied his force and met the Ephraimites at the
fords of the Jordan River. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites were killed, many
of them as they were trying to escape because of their inability to pronounce
the “sh” of the word Shibboleth. They gave it only an “s” sound (Judges 12:6).
Three judges rose up after Jephthah’s death. Ibzan was from Bethlehem of
the tribe of Zebulun. He had thirty sons and thirty daughters and judged Israel
seven years. Elon the Zebulonite judged for ten years. Abdon was of Pirathon in
Ephraim, and he judged eight years.
CONCLUSION
God has a plan of success for every believer. To succeed, a believer must be
committed to following God’s plan. God’s plan is found in His Word. We may
offer excuses, but God knows our abilities and how best to use them. God is
interested in our availability and willingness. He will take care of the ability.
Humble beginnings and circumstances should never be a deterrent to doing
the will of the Lord. We are to be willing to say yes to the Lord and give Him
the credit for our success.
Lesson 10
For Sunday, November 4, 2012
Samson—Overcoming
the Philistines
Judges 13—16
God’s chosen leader, though strong, was subject to human weakness. Samson
was dedicated from birth, as a Nazirite, to the service of God. When he was true
to the vow, Samson was unbeatable. When he broke his vow, disaster struck.
The secret of Samson’s power and strength was the Spirit of the Lord. The
mighty power of the Spirit of the Lord is limitless. This same power of the Holy
Spirit is available to the Lord’s New Testament churches.
The people of Israel once again lapsed into “evil” in the sight of God. The
Hebrew word ra’ah means “that which is malignant, wicked or cruel.” This is
a fitting word to describe the people of Israel’s condition. Medical pathology
defines malignant as “rapidly growing tumors and liable to metastasize (shift
or spread from one part to another); becoming progressively worse; tending
to do great harm; and having an evil disposition.” This is exactly what the
evil of idolatry became to the people of Israel. This is what sin does to those
who allow it to take hold and grow. Paul wrote that the profane and vain will
increase and bring more ungodliness like a “canker” (2 Tim. 2:17). This is from
the Greek word gaggraina (gang'-grahee-nah). This is gangrene which is a
bacterial infection due to a loss of blood supply that becomes corrupt, and,
unless a remedy is applied, it will continue to spread and eat away the tissues
bringing death. Sin is such a malignancy. It may start small, but if not checked
by the Bible’s prescribed remedy, it will bring forth death (Rom. 6:23; James
1:15).
SAMSON’S PARENTS
Judges 13:1-25
The small city of Zorah was on the top of a high hill on the north side of the
valley of Sorek fourteen miles southwest of Jerusalem. It was on the border
between the tribes of Dan and Judah. It was allotted to the tribes of Judah and
Dan (Joshua 15:19-21). It was fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chron. 11:5, 10) and it
was repopulated after the exile (Neh. 11:29).
Zorah was home to an elderly couple, Manoah and his wife. They were
devout worshipers of Jehovah. They had not forsaken His worship nor
corrupted it with pagan idolatry. Most of their neighbors were guilty of doing
so. Manoah’s wife was barren. This was a grievous condition to a Jewish
wife. Rachel was barren and lamented to Jacob, “Give me children, or else
I die” (Gen. 30:1). “Hannah had no children.” She wept, did not eat and was
96
Samson—Overcoming the Philistines / 97
grieved. She poured her heart out
to the Lord and vowed to dedicate
a given son to Him (1 Sam. 1:2, 7,
The Life of a Nazirite (Judges
10, 11).
13:5): According to Numbers 6:1 One day “the angel of the Lord”
12, the vow of the Nazirite (from
appeared unto Manoah’s wife.
the Hebrew word nazir meaning
He told her some inspiring news,
“dedicated” or “consecrated”),
“Thou shalt conceive, and bear a
was typically taken for a limited
son” (Judges 13:3). She was given
time voluntarily. Samson’s mother
some special instructions to follow
dedicated him to the vow for his
entire lifetime. The vow of the
during her pregnancy. She was not
Nazirite, among other things, had
to drink wine nor strong drink or
three basic restrictions: 1) total
eat anything that was unclean.
abstention from fermented drinks,
The reason for this became clear
which also included the eating of
when the angel told her that her
grapes or raisins; 2) the hair was
son would be a Nazirite (Judges
never to be cut; and 3) the Nazirite
13:4, 5). In Numbers 6:1-23, the
could not come near a corpse of any
kind. Since Samson’s vow was to be
Lord gave the law of the Nazirite
lifelong, his mother was to observe
and spelled out the conditions
the vow during the entirety of her
which would surround such a life.
pregnancy with him. Even though
Some have confused this with
every Israelite was admonished
the word Nazarene. They are not
to not eat anything ceremonially
the same. A Nazarene is simply a
unclean, Samson’s mother was to
citizen of, or one born, in the city of
particularly observe that restriction
during her pregnancy. Such related
Nazareth. The word Nazirite (from
directly to the third restriction of the
the Hebrew word Naziyr, nawNazirite vow.
zeer) means “people of the vow.” It
was an Israelite who dedicated or
consecrated himself and took a vow
of separation for the purpose of some special service to God. There were two
types—the temporary and the perpetual. The first was the most common. Only
three are named in the Bible who took the vow for life—Samson, Samuel and
John the Baptist. There were three distinguishing marks upon the Nazirites.
One, each one renounced all use of wine and all products of the vine, including
grapes and raisins. Two, each of them was not permitted to cut his hair or beard.
Three, each one was to avoid any contact with a dead body. Amos registered
God’s complaint against the people of Israel. He had given each of the Nazirites
as an example of a spiritual life. Israelites sinned by giving any Nazirite wine
(Amos 2:11, 12). It is not certain whether the apostle Paul took the Nazirite
vow, but he did support those who did (Acts 21:18-26).
This special son of Manoah and his wife was to be a judge of Israel. It was
said of the son, “He shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of he Philistines”
(Judges 13:5). He was to be God’s instrument to lead the people of Israel to a
place of repentance. This was the only way that they might be delivered from
the tyranny being inflicted on them by the Philistines. The wife told Manoah
all that the man of God said.
Manna
98 / Judges 13—16
Manoah prayed that God would send the man again. (They had not come
to realize the messenger was the Angel of the Lord.) Manoah wanted specific
instructions concerning this special son. “Teach us what we shall do unto
the child” (verse 8). The angel returned while Manoah’s wife was in the field.
She ran and got her husband. Manoah’s request was repeated and the angel
repeated the same instructions concerning the son. All parents, especially
Christian parents, should make a similar request of the Lord. Parents need
divine guidance in raising children. The Bible gives explicit rules for child
rearing. The Bible has the best rules for raising your children.
Because of the blessedness of the occasion, Manoah requested the man of
God to stay long enough to eat. Manoah’s request, “What is thy name?” (verse
17) brought forth definite proof of the divinity of the angel. The word secret
(verse 18) is from the Hebrew word piliy [pil-ee] which means “wonderful.”
Used here to describe His name and in Psalm 139:6 it is used to describe His
knowledge. Isaiah prophesied the Messiah’s name would be called “Wonderful”
(Isa. 9:6). While a goat was being offered, the angel ascended back to Heaven in
the flame of the altar. Manoah thought both he and his wife would die because
they had seen God.
According to the words of the Angel of
the Lord, Manoah’s wife gave birth to a
Samson: the meaning comes from
son. She called him Samson which means
a reference to the sun and the
brightness of its shinning. The
“sunlight” or “like the sun.” Little was
meaning is to shine or be brilliant
said about his childhood, but what was
with attributes or possessions.
said is important. “The Lord blessed him.
Samson was a man who shined
And
the Spirit of the Lord began to move
with great strength from God.
him
at
times in the camp of Dan between
Word Study #8123.
Zorah and Eshtaol” (Judges 13:24, 25).
This does not mean that Samson was
saved and lost alternately, but he was not faithful to the Spirit’s leadership. He
was from time to time a servant of the Lord. This character flaw brought about
his downfall.
SAMSON OF TIMNATH
Judges 14:1-20
Several of Samson’s activities brought grief to his aging parents. Such it was
when he announced his intention to marry a Philistine girl from the village
of Timnath. The news upset Manoah. “Is there never a woman among the
daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a
wife of the uncircumcised Philistines?” (Judges 14:3). The Lord’s prohibition
against such marriages and the reason why was clear. “Neither shalt thou make
marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his
daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. For they will turn away thy son from
following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the Lord be
kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly” (Deut. 7:3, 4). New Testament
believers are given a similar warning by the apostle Paul. “Be ye not unequally
yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with
unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what
concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an
infidel?” (2 Cor. 6:14, 15). Samson went against his parent’s wishes, “Get her
for me; for she pleaseth me well” (Judges 14:3). Literally this reads she is right
in my eyes. That is, she fit into his plan. This sheds some light on the writer’s
comment concerning his parent’s objections. “His father and his mother knew
not that it was of the Lord, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines”
(verse 4). Samson was looking for an opportunity to have a quarrel with the
Philistines. Keep in mind this does not mean that it was okay for Samson to
break the Law. It shows the long-suffering of God and how He overruled the
evil to bring about His plan.
Samson and his family went down to Timnath to arrange the wedding.
On the way, he went into the vineyards and was attacked by a young lion.
The Spirit of the Lord came upon Samson and he split the lion with his bare
hands. He left its carcass in the vineyard and did not tell his parents what
had happened. They went to Timnath to complete the arrangements for the
marriage. Samson and his parents returned home, to await the wedding day.
When they went back to Timnath, Samson went back into the vineyard to see
the lion’s carcass. He found that a swarm of bees had made a hive inside the
dried out lion’s skeleton, and it was filled with honey. He ate some of the honey
and took some and gave it to his father and mother. They were not told where
the beehive was. This incident provided the source of a riddle at the wedding
feast. Samson was violating his Nazirite vow by touching that which was dead
(verses 8-18).
Thirty young Philistines were brought to the wedding feast. Samson
challenged them in the form of a riddle. If they could solve the riddle during
the seven day feast, Samson would give each of them a change of garments. If
they failed, they each had to provide Samson with a garment. Samson’s riddle
was just two lines: “Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong
came forth sweetness” (Judges 14:14).
With their time running out, the Philistines threatened Samson’s bride. If
she did not get the answer, they would burn her and her father’s house. She
cried, “Thou dost but hate me” (verse 16). He explained that he had not even
told his parents. But, she continued to weep until Samson gave in and told her
the answer. She quickly told the thirty young Philistines (verses 15-17). On
the seventh evening, the Philistines answered the riddle. Samson knew he had
been deceived and told them, “If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not
found out my riddle” (verse 18).
This is the second time we are told “the Spirit of the Lord came upon him”
(verse 19). He went down to Ashkelon, about twenty-five miles southwest on the
Mediterranean coast. There he killed thirty Philistines, took their garments,
returned to Timnath and gave the deceivers their garments.
Samson, still angry, returned to his father’s house. While he was apparently
calming down at Zorah, things happened at Timnath that would give Samson
100 / Judges 13—16
another opportunity to go against the Philistines. Samson’s bride was given to
the one who was his best man (verses 19, 20).
SAMSON’S VENGEANCE
Judges 15:1-20
Samson returned home to Zorah until the time of the wheat harvest. He
decided to go to Timnath with a young goat, as a gift of reconciliation, and
be with his bride. To his surprise, he was told by her father that he thought
Samson hated her and had deserted her. Thus, she had been given to another.
Samson was offered the younger sister. He refused the offer by telling his exfather-in-law, “Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I
do them a displeasure” (Hebrew ra’ah, meaning “evil, distress, harm or hurt”)
(Judges 15:3). Samson trapped three hundred wild foxes, tied them together
tail to tail with a burning torch between them. He turned them loose in the
grain fields, vineyards and orchards of the Philistines. This left the countryside
in flames. The Philistines learned the cause behind their disaster. In their
vengeful anger, they burned Samson’s wayward bride and her father (Judges
15:1-6).
Samson vowed that he would not rest until he was avenged against the
Philistines who took part in this deed. “he smote them hip and thigh” (verse
8) is a proverbial expression for a merciless slaughter. There is no mention
of any weapon being used by Samson. He possibly took them down with his
bare hands. This event provided another occasion for Samson to go up against
the Philistines. Samson had traveled
to a place in Judah known as the rock
of Etam. This is located about two
Smote Them Hip and Thigh
miles southwest of Bethlehem. The
(Judges 15:8): The expression “hip
Philistines set themselves in battle
and thigh” is proverbial, having
array against the village of Etam.
an origin among the Semitic
They demanded that the men of the
nomads. It refers to the intensive
village deliver Samson to them or be
and merciless slaughter used to
put to death. Samson agreed to be
not only cause cruel and unsparing
bound by the men of Judah, as long
slaughter, but to serve as an
immediate deterrent to surviving
as they promised that they would not
troops to consider the potential of
harm him. The men bound Samson
retreat or negotiation to put an end
with new ropes and delivered him to
to such slaughter. Samson originally
the Philistines in what appeared to
sought to avenge the death of his
be a harmless package. When Samson
wife, but such only served as an
was inside the Philistines’ main
impetus for the Philistines to seek
camp at Lehi, the Spirit of the Lord
further vengeance. Back and forth
the slaughter occurred, causing
came upon him. Samson broke the
Samson to show no mercy in the
new ropes that bound him as if they
way in which he killed the members
were burned twine. He found a new
of the Philistine army. Instead of
(the Hebrew word tariy, taw-ree—
the slaughter causing a deterrent,
indicates it was moist, raw or bleeding)
it had the opposite effect. The
jawbone of an ass. With this unusual
Philistines grew more bloodthirsty
weapon, Samson killed a thousand
and vengeful.
Philistine soldiers. Samson’s words of
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triumph were a play on the Hebrew
word chamor, which is translated
ass or heap. It was Samson’s way of
The Spirit upon Him (Judges
saying that he had made asses of
15:14): Samson’s fearful brethren
the Philistines. Tossing the jawbone
sought to appease the Philistines
aside, he called the place of the
and, therefore, wanted to bind him
battle, Ramath-lehi (raw'-math-leewith ropes. Samson only requested
that they not kill him, to which they
he) meaning “height of a jawbone”
agreed. When they turned him
(Judges 15:7-17).
over to their enemies, the Philistines
With the battle over, Samson was
shouted, which typically served
extremely thirsty. He prayed to the
as a means of battle cry as well
Lord for help. The Lord answered
as an intimidation to the enemy.
by miraculously causing cool water
However, Samson was determined
to depend on the Lord and the
to spring forth from the place he
Spirit of God was upon him. The
had tossed the jawbone. This special
new ropes which were used to bind
place was called Enhakkore (anehim became like flax which had
hak-ko-ray), “the fountain or spring
been burned in fire. Samson’s great
of one calling” (verse 19). Samson’s
power could not have come by sheer
character was that of a hotheaded,
human determination or strength.
It was present and overwhelming
self-seeking man. In spite of his
toward the Philistines because of
failings, the Lord used him to judge
the intervening power of the Spirit
the people of Israel in the days of
of God.
the Philistines for twenty years. The
Philistines were their enemies. They
gave them trouble more than any other clan in the land of Canaan. Bearing this
in mind, we can see that Samson’s life was not an easy one. Samson brought
troubles upon himself in spite of the fact that he served as judge of Israel
during some difficult times.
Places of responsibility are also places of accountability. These are not always
easy places to fill. Samson was possibly judged, particularly by the tribe of
Judah, for every deed in his life. One day a hero and the next an outcast. In the
minds of our contemporaries, often one mistake erases all the good that may
have been done previously. Those who are in places of leadership must weigh
each step and each word with the Lord’s balance scale. What is the first thing
we think of when someone says the name Samson? First of all, it is generally
his strength, but his weaknesses are not forgotten. It is not right to judge a
person by one event in his life, even if he is a Samson.
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SAMSON AND DELILAH
Judges 16:1-20
Samson’s daring, for some reason, took him into the heart of Philistine
territory at Gaza. He saw a harlot and went in to spend the night with her.
Word quickly got around to the men of the city, “Samson is come hither” (verse
2). The men of Gaza believed they finally had Samson. They surrounded the
area and planned to ambush Samson at first light as he went out the city gate
(verses 1, 2).
102 / Judges 13—16
Samson apparently learned what his enemy was plotting. He arose at
midnight, moved quietly out of the harlot’s house and passed the men posted
there. When he came to the city gates, which had been locked for the night, he
tore them away along with the two posts, bar and all. He carried them on his
shoulders for some forty miles from Gaza
to a hill near Hebron. There in the middle
Delilah: the meaning comes from
the idea of something hanging low
of Judah he left physical proof of another
like a vine that grows downward
embarrassing defeat of the Philistines
from its place. Its own weakness
(verse 3).
does not allow for it to grow
Samson’s carnality eventually led to
upward. The lowliness of this
his downfall and death. Samson “loved
position may represent lowliness
a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose
in estate, confidence, strength or
name was Delilah” (verse 4). There is no
spirituality. Word Studies #1807
and #1809.
evidence, nor is it stated, that love was a
part of any of Samson’s previous trysts.
This time he seems to have truly fallen in
love with Delilah whose name means “languishing or to pine.” Her name fits
her character. The Hebrew word translated loved used here is ahab. It means
“to have affections for another or to be a lover.” The valley of Sorek, valley of
vineyards, runs along both sides of the Sorek River from the Mediterranean
almost to Jerusalem. It is a fertile
area with many vineyards and fields
of grain.
When Samson became involved
Eleven Hundred Pieces of Silver
(Judges 16:5): The leaders of the
with Delilah, he would have been
Philistines, having failed to secure
in his forties. There is no hint as
the secret of Samson’s strength
to Delilah’s age, but she truly had
through more threatening means
Samson infatuated. Except for his
decided to lure Delilah to secure
super-human physical strength that
the secret by offering her eleven
he displayed at times, Samson was no
hundred shekels of silver each,
different than any other man. He was
making a total of fifty-five hundred
shekels of silver, an incredible
subject to emotions that affect us all.
sum of money. Since the previous
The Philistines looked at Samson and
attempts had failed, the vast
saw what appeared to be a normal
sum served as insurance that
stature, nonetheless, he at times
Delilah would be relentless in her
possessed remarkable strength. The
interrogation of Samson to find
lords of the Philistines came from the
the secret to his strength. There
following cities—Ashdod, Askelon,
were three attempts, which Samson
responded to through falsehood and
Ekron, Gath and Gaza. To them,
deceit, causing a failure of disclosure
Samson was public enemy number
and proof. On the fourth attempt, he
one. Hearing that Samson was
finally divulged the truth regarding
taken with Delilah, the Philistine
his superior strength. Delilah’s
lords offered her quite a substantial
persistence, fueled by the enticing
bribe of eleven hundred pieces of
fortune awaiting her, eventually
silver from each of them. This would
wore Samson down.
have amounted to fifty-five hundred
Manna
shekel pieces of silver. The shekel standard under the Law of Moses was fiftyone one-hundredth troy ounce of pure silver. At today’s silver prices this would
amount to approximately ninety to one hundred seven thousand dollars. All
Delilah had to do was find out the secret behind Samson’s unusual strength.
Delilah became an enemy agent and from that time was bent on Samson’s
destruction. Samson, so taken by her, never seemed to understand her goal.
Delilah loved the silver more than any feeling she had toward Samson. Her
interest in him was to learn how he might be taken down and either killed or
put under bondage (verse 5).
Delilah wasted little time in attempting
Entice: the meaning is to open up
to achieve her goal. Each time they met,
an area or make it roomy and
she kept asking Samson to tell her the
easy for travel. This openness or
secret of his strength. For several days
broadness suggests ease and little
it was as though Samson was enjoying
or no opposition, therefore, this
playing a game of telling her lies and
way is desirable and pleasurable to
the flesh. Enticement presents this
surprising the waiting Philistines. After
easy way (Compare Matthew 7:13,
her attempts with green vines, new ropes
14). Word Study #6601.
and the weaved hair, one would think
Samson would have wised up to her. Yet,
Vexed: the idea is to cut short or
he seems to have found it amusing. It is
clip off a portion of a thing, thus,
sin for any of God’s children to use the
making it less in size, shape or
gifts God has given them for their own or
value, such as, in cutting the top of
the world’s amusement. Doing such is to
a wheat stalk to harvest the grain.
tempt God, which is a dangerous thing to
This vexing may also apply to the
do (Deut. 6:16). Samson was toying with
heart of a person by discouraging
sin and disaster. The green withs (Judges
him. Word Study #7114.
16:7) was the sinew used in bow strings
and harps. These were new and had not
been dried. As they began to dry, they would get tighter and tighter. Seven of
these were used, which would have easily held any other man. They are very
strong and durable, but these proved to be of no contest for Samson. Next, was
the new ropes of finely twisted thick foliage. These Samson broke as if they
were but thread. The third deception was for Delilah to braid his long hair by
working it into the loom and fastening it to the wall. When he was once again
aroused by Delilah’s cry, “The Philistines be upon thee” (verse 14). Samson
went out the door with the entire loom being pulled behind him.
When all else fails, ladies, cry. Samson, like most men, had a weakness for
a woman’s tears. Samson, tiring of the games and Delilah’s insistent nagging,
gave in to her request. Samson’s carnality had caught up with him. He revealed
to her his Nazirite vow and the secret of his strength. Note carefully, Samson’s
strength was not in his long hair, nor did it lie in any abundance of muscle. It
came from his relationship with Jehovah as a dedicated Nazirite. The Lord
takes our vows to Him seriously. “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer
not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed”
(Eccl. 5:4). “When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not
slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would
be sin in thee” (Deut. 23:21). We should not make promises that we do not
intend to keep.
104 / Judges 13—16
The Philistine lords were told
that the truth was finally out. They
came bringing the temptress traitor
Was Samson’s Strength in His
her ill-gotten prize money. “And she
Hair? (Judges 16:17): Samson lost
made him sleep upon her knees”
his unique physical strength as
(Judges 16:19). Samson had become
he divulged the secret concerning
a willing participant and was now
it. He told Delilah that no razor
easily lulled into thinking, now that
had ever come upon his head
she knows my secret all will be well.
because of the vow his mother had
made and he continued. Once
Christians cannot cast the pearls
one of her servants cut his hair,
God has given them before swine
Samson’s strength was, indeed,
and still hope for His blessings. The
gone. However, the strength of
swine of this world, like Delilah, think
Samson was not exclusively a
nothing of trampling under foot one
matter of the length of his hair.
of the Lord’s servants (Matt. 7:6).
The vow of the Nazirite had three
Satan and the world are masters at
different restrictions of which the
matter of his hair was one of them.
lulling people to sleep who think all is
Instead, the strength of Samson
well. Samson was so caught up in his
was produced as a result of his
carnal web that he became spiritually
faithfulness in maintaining his
blinded and could not see the error
Nazirite vow, and, thus, remaining
of his ways. After placing his head
faithful to the Lord with the end
on Delilah’s lap he fell asleep. She
result being his supernaturally
called for a man, whom she likely had
provided strength. God provided
Samson’s unusual strength as
waiting, to come and cut off his hair.
a result of him being faithful in
This was not a short trim. The word
maintaining his vow as a Nazirite.
shave is from the Hebrew word galach
which means “to be bald.” It is the
word used for shearing sheep. Immediately, Delilah began to afflict him (from
the Hebrew word anah which means “to browbeat, to humble, to put down, or
to humiliate”). At this point, Samson had no idea what had happened. “I will
go out as at other times before, and shake myself” (Judges 16:20). At other
times before this one, that was all that was needed to put the Philistines in
retreat. The Lord is long-suffering and patient with His children, but Samson
had violated his vow one time too many. The tragedy here was the fact “he wist
not that the Lord was departed” (verse 20). It is of great importance that we
never forget wherein lies our strength. “The Lord is my strength and song, and
is become my salvation” (Psalm 118:14).
Manna
SAMSON’S DEATH
Judges 16:21-31
The Philistines had seemingly won, but never count a servant of the Lord
out. It was their turn to make sport and seek their vengeance. The first thing
they did was “put out his eyes” (verse 21). They were possibly thinking he can’t
hurt us if he cannot see us. They bound him with brass fetters. Fetters of any
kind were no longer needed. Without the strength of the Lord, Samson was
as weak as the weakest among them. They used Samson to do the work of
an animal. The former strongman of Judah was made to “grind in the prison
house” (verse 21). This was a humiliating
punishment usually reserved for defiant
Sport: it is to laugh. The setting,
slaves. If the Philistines had been smart,
however, may differ. Sometimes
the sport may be a laughing with
they would have had someone shave
merriment, or sometimes it may
Samson’s head every day. Grinding at the
be laughing with scorn or mockery.
mill gave Samson plenty of time to think
The Philistines desired to laugh
about his past and any ray of hope for the
at Samson with a mocking spirit.
future.
The lords of the Philistines decided
to humiliate Samson even more at a big
celebration in praise to their false god for the victory they foolishly thought
they had won. Samson was brought out so that those in attendance could make
sport of him. They were so arrogant that they put Samson under the charge
of a lad. Once inside, near the pillars that held up the house, Samson began to
pray. This is possibly the most sincere prayer of his life. “O Lord God, remember
me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I
may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes” (verse 28).
God heard and answered Samson’s prayer. With the power and strength of
the Lord restored, Samson leaned against the two main pillars of the temple
house and pulled it down upon himself and about three thousand of the most
important and influential among the Philistines. Men came from his hometown and buried Samson near his father.
CONCLUSION Samson’s life was mysterious. He was a loner. We never read about his
brethren coming to help him in the battles against the Philistines. His frequent
mingling with the enemy may have made the Israelites a bit doubtful about his
sincerity. What is the lesson here for us today? There are several that come to
mind. First, this serves to remind us, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Num.
32:23). Second, we are reminded, “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his
clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?”
(Prov. 6:27, 28). The answer to these questions is obvious. Samson played with
fire, and he got burned. Any flirting with the devil always carries a high price
tag. The devil likes nothing better than to see a Christian’s testimony and
good name pulled through the dirt and destroyed. Avoiding such takes strong
spiritual watchfulness and the abounding of God’s matchless grace.
“And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and
of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of
the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness,
obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire,
escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed
valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens” (Heb. 11:32-34).
Lesson 11
Micah—Desecrating the Worship
Judges 17—21
Doing what is right in our own eyes, apart from biblical direction, will lead
to wrong choices. We saw that this was true in the life of Samson, a man who
made a number of wrong choices. The same truth is evident in the stories of
Micah, the Danite’s resettlement northward in Israel, the civil war and the
events surrounding it.
The final chapters of the book of Judges clearly show the need for civil
government. When sinful man is left to himself without any limits, regulation
or sense of responsibility, he will do irrational things. Everybody was busy
doing their own things without any regard for others. National unity in Israel
had fallen apart. Sin among any people contaminates all those within a given
society and leads to wickedness. There can be no compromise between the
worship of Jehovah God and that of any other false gods.
MICAH’S GRAVEN IMAGES IN EPHRAIM
Judges 17:1-13
These were days of stealing. “And there was a man of mount Ephraim, whose
name was Micah. And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred shekels
of silver that were taken from thee, about
which thou cursedst, and spakest of also
in mine ears, behold, the silver is with
Micah: the meaning of this name is
me; I took it” (Judges 17:1, 2). Micah’s
to be near or like Yahweh, which
is a Hebrew name for the Lord.
family sheds some light on the spiritual
Micah was somewhat of a common
conditions in Israel during the time of
and popular Hebrew name. Word
the Judges. Micah had broken the eighth
Studies #4320, #3050, #3588 and
commandment, “Thou shalt not steal”
#863.
(Ex. 20:15). His mother had pronounced a
curse on the guilty thief. Her superstition
Founder: the meaning is to fuse
believed it would be carried out. Micah
metal or to refine metal. This
involves a process whereby
confessed to the crime because he too
someone melts the metal and
had a superstitious fear. This amounted
forms something out of the cooled
to witchcraft, which was punishable by
metal. The founder is the person
death under the Law of Moses. “Thou
who works with this process on a
shall not suffer a witch to live” (Ex. 22:18).
regular basis. Word Study #6884.
These were days of lying, cheating
and idolatry. “And when he had restored
106
Micah—Desecrating the Worship / 107
the eleven hundred shekels of silver
to his mother, his mother said, I had
Molten Image: the meaning is
“a pouring out of liquid..” It is to
wholly dedicated the silver unto the
melt metal into a liquid form and
Lord from my hand for my son, to make
pour it out into a mold. The metal
a graven image and a molten image: now
cools and takes on the image of
therefore I will restore it unto thee. Yet
whatever the maker desires. It is
he restored the money unto his mother;
an image made from a pouring out
and his mother took two hundred shekels
process. Word Studies #4541 and
of silver, and gave them to the founder,
#5258.
who made thereof a graven image and
Consecrated: the word represents
a molten image: and they were in the
the extending of a hand. The
house of Micah” (Judges 17:3, 4). A part
extension may be done for various
of the silver was used to make a graven
reasons depending upon the
image. This was in violation of the second
context. A person extends the
commandment. “Thou shalt not make
hand to affect something, or to
unto thee any graven image, or any
set it in place as to determine its
purpose for existing. Word Study
likeness of any thing that is in heaven
#3027.
above, or that is in the earth beneath, or
that is in the water under the earth. Thou
shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor
serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of
the fathers upon the children unto the
third and fourth generation of them
that hate me; and shewing mercy unto
Micah’s House of Gods (Judges
thousands of them that love me, and
17:5): Micah lived in the hill country
keep my commandments” (Ex. 20:4-6).
of Ephraim and was a man with
This, too, was punishable by death.
a seriously flawed character. In
These were days of religious
defiance of the Lord and the Law of
Moses, he set up a place of worship
deception. “And the man Micah had
in his own household using two
an house of gods, and made an ephod,
hundred shekels of silver belonging
and teraphim, and consecrated one
to his mother to fashion teraphim
of his sons, who became his priest”
(household idols). Scripture
(Judges 17:5). Micah did not stop at
consistently prohibited the use
one graven image, he “had an house
of them both toward worshiping
of gods.” The Hebrew here is beth
God, and especially in the worship
of foreign deities. In addition,
Elohim or house of God. He and
Micah consecrated one of his sons
his mother seemed sincere in their
to function as a priest in his house
desire to honor God, but building
of worship. Even though Israel
one’s own private temple, no matter
had been guilty of following after
how elaborate, cannot honor Jehovah
the gods of the Canaanites in the
when it is filled with images of false
past, the spiritual perversion which
religion. They were like those of whom
marked them in the latter part of the
time of the Judges brought them to
Paul wrote about to Timothy. Micah
an all-time low in their disobedience
and his family had “a form (from the
and disloyalty to the Lord.
Greek word morphosis—appearance
or impression) of godliness” but were
Manna
108 / Judges 17—21
Manna
Doing What Is Right in Your Own
Eyes (Judges 17:6): The spiritual
condition of the Hebrew nation
had become so despicable under
the latter time of the judges that
the writer of the book bemoaned
the fact by a maxim which, even
in our own day, is regarded as the
overall condition of their day and
could be an assessment of our own
time as well. Once the absolute
standard of God is disregarded and
disobeyed, sinful man provides his
own standard, which is typically
abhorrent to everything for which
God and His Word stands. In our
own day, this humanistic standard
is called moral relativism and is
really not moral at all. Whether
the divine standard was despised
in the time of the judges in Israel’s
history or despised in our own
time, the consequences are the
same. Whenever the Hebrews
turned away from the Lord, His
blessings ceased and the curses
associated with His disfavor
continued to mount.
Manna
Hireling Priest for Ten Shekels
(Judges 17:10): A Levite by the name
of Jonathan sought to find a place
to live and came to the house of
Micah, the Ephraimite. When it was
known that he was a Levite, Micah
naturally assumed that he was of the
priestly tribe and could, therefore,
function as a legitimate priest in
his place of worship. However,
Jonathan was a Gershomite and
was not a descendant of Aaron
and his sons. Though he was of the
tribe of Levi, he was not qualified
to serve as a priest according to the
Law of Moses. Such was another
perversion of the true model of
worship according to the Law.
Jonathan’s salary and provisions
were ten shekels of silver per year
as well as the garments necessary
to fulfill his role as a priest. Such
was considerably less than what
was called for but Jonathan agreed
to the terms. Because he was not a
true descendant of Aaron and his
sons, his attempt to minister was not
favored by the Lord in the slightest.
not “able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:5, 7). Micah made
an “ephod” which was an imitation of the high priest’s dress (Ex. 28:6-14).
This was a beautiful vestment made from the finest and best linen with an
array of colors. To this Micah added a teraphim. This Hebrew word refers to
idols that were connected to the rights of inheritance. They were somehow
used in divinations. Micah apparently intended for his form of worship to be
passed along. Such objects of worship and divinations are condemned under
the Law (2 Kings 23:24). In another attempt to try and legitimize his newfound
religion, Micah set apart one of his sons as his priest. For anyone to assume
the priestly office was also in disobedience to the Law. “And thou shalt appoint
Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest’s office: and the stranger
that cometh nigh shall be put to death” (Num. 3:10). The priesthood, like the
gospel ministry, is God-called and God-appointed. “And no man taketh this
honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron (Heb. 5:4). The
lack of civil government meant there was no one to hold him accountable. No
judgment or punishment was being issued. Judges 17:6 serves as a clarification
for Micah’s unlawfulness, “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every
man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
These were days of religion for hire. A young Levite, from Beth-lehem-judah,
came by Micah’s house. Both men were in violation of the Law when Micah
hired the Levite to be his priest. Would this make Micah’s religious system
look better? Micah thought he could obligate God to him by the things he
had done. However, the opposite was true. Because of the idolatry and other
flagrant spiritual errors, God inspired the record of these events as a warning
to people of all ages who turn away from the truth (Judges 17:7-13). Be careful
of those today who use names and titles in an attempt to make their brand of
religion look good in the eyes of men. Children of God are instructed to “try
the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone
out into the world” (1 John 4:1). Because the name Christian may be in their
names or printed on their signs, it does not make them so. This is also true of
the name Baptist. There are fifty-seven different associations, fellowships and
conventions that carry the name Baptist in the United States. Their confessions
of faith run the doctrinal gamut between Arminianism and Calvinism. It is
important that what we believe is backed totally by the Scripture and that it is
not of some man’s making.
MICAH’S GRAVEN IMAGES IN DAN
Judges 18:1-31
It is sad, indeed, when we become dissatisfied with the things given to us
by the Lord. This was the case with the tribe of Dan. Their tribal allotment
bordered Ephraim on the north, Judah on the south, Benjamin on the east
and the sea on the west. It was inhabited first by the Canaanites and the
Philistines. The Danites were not willing to put forth the effort to drive them
out. Whatever the Lord gives us will always be much better than anything we
may acquire on our own. Blessings will be more abundant if we go and stay
where the Lord leads us.
The future of the tribe of Dan was revealed in Genesis 49:17, “Dan shall be
a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that
his rider shall fall backward.” After the passing of about three hundred years,
the true nature of the tribe of Dan began to show. Since there was no civil
authority, there was no one to stop their evil plans.
As the descendants of Dan sought out a larger and less hostile inheritance,
their journeying led them near the home of Micah. His false religious system, by
this time, was in full swing. Hearing the voice of the young Levite, whom Micah
had appointed as his priest, the Danites acknowledged him. They inquired of
this priest for hire to “ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know
whether our way which we go shall be prosperous” (Judges 18:5). They were
seeking and looking but in the wrong place and from the wrong person. While
they pretended to want to know God’s will, they were busy stealing the false
gods they found in Micah’s house. A god that can be stolen is of no value. The
point that needs to be seen here is that one false religion has no respect for
another. Not until greed and sin is rooted out by the power of the Almighty,
living God will the evil desires of men’s hearts be changed.
110 / Judges 17—21
The Danites persuaded the young
Levite to leave Micah’s house and
follow them. The Levite was easily
The High Place of Dan (Judges
persuaded by the pretense that this
18:30,31): The tribe of Dan, who
would open up greater fields of service
had not secured their inheritance
for him. “Is it better for thee to be a
previously, sent six hundred men
priest unto the house of one man, or
to the house of Micah to take his
that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a
teraphim, the ephod of the priest,
family in Israel” (verse 19). A religious
and the Levite who served as the
leader who sells his services to the
priest in the household. When
Micah realized what was occurring,
highest bidder cannot be trusted to
he sought to stop the pillaging of
render right judgments. Idolatry is
his household and retrieve the items
an abomination to the Lord no matter
from his pagan house of worship.
who is officiating.
When the men of Dan threatened
Micah was not successful in getting
the deaths of his family, Micah
his stolen property returned. The
returned home without a fight. The
Danites operated on the assumption
household idols were placed in the
city of Dan, changed from Laish,
that might makes right. Since they
and Jonathan the Gershomite began
had the power, they felt they were free
to function as a priest in the land
to take whatever they could get. This
of Dan. The actual house of God
is the history of anarchy. A nation and
was in Shiloh, where the Tabernacle
people without God has no respect but
had been located since the time of
for the god of might.
Joshua. There was no king in Israel
and no sanctuary in Jerusalem
After robbing Micah of his gods and
during the disastrous period of the
priest, the Danites still searched for a
judges.
place they could call home. They came
upon the “valley that lieth by Bethrehob” (verse 28) which means “house
of the street.” Here they believed was ample space for them to live. Being
stronger than the area’s inhabitants, they were able to conquer the land. “And
they built a city, and dwelt therein” (verse 28). Dan’s new settlement marked
the northern boundary of the land of Israel. Here they captured Laish, which
they rebuilt and called Dan (verse 29). It is four miles west of Banias (Caesarea
Philippi). The largest of the springs that make up the source of the Jordan
River is found here.
We are not told what happened to the young Levite who sold his services
to the highest bidder. The Danites established false idolatrous rituals that
continued in a priestly line from the house of Jonathan, the grandson of
Manasseh, until their conquest under Tiglath-pileser (2 Kings 15:29). Dan’s
actions were an open rebellion against the ways of Jehovah. False religion only
uses the name of God when it believes it will work to its advantage. Turning
away from the living God will find no advantages.
Manna
WICKEDNESS IN GIBEAH
Judges 19:1-30
These were days of immorality. “And it came to pass in those days, when there
was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side
of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Beth-lehem-judah. And
his concubine played the whore against him, and went away from him unto her
father’s house to Beth-lehem-judah, and was there four whole months” (Judges
19:1, 2). This is not the same Levite that was Micah’s priest. It is noted that he
took a concubine. A concubine was considered a lover and the term was applied
to both female and male. A female concubine was looked upon as a wife even
though she held a place of lower rank. This chapter speaks of her husband,
the father-in-law and the son-in-law. She was not a mistress and did not live
with a man unless they were married. This was a common practice among the
polygamous societies in biblical times. Keturah is called Abraham’s concubine
and also his wife (Gen 25:1; 1 Chron. 1:32). To lie with a king’s concubine was
the same as usurping his throne (2 Sam. 16:21, 22).
The Levite in this chapter, like the young Levite, is depicted in a dim light.
This event is appalling and never should have happened. His concubine “played
the whore” (verse 2). This is from the Hebrew word zanah (zaw-haw) meaning
“to fornicate, or to prostitute.” It is used of both men and women. Figuratively, it
is used of the people of Israel’s idolatrous relationship with other nations (Ezek.
6:9; 23:30). The concubine left her husband and returned to her father’s house
in Bethlehem. Four months of separation gave the Levite time to think. He
went to Bethlehem, and to his credit, he spoke to her heart. With the marriage
put back together, she brought her husband into her father’s house. Three days
of feasting were stretched into four by the father’s insistence. The Levite, his
wife and his servant with two laden donkeys left late on the fifth day (Judges
19:3-9).
Having only gone about five miles, they reached Jebus (Jerusalem). The
servant suggested they spend the night there, but the Levite refused to stay
in a city of strangers. They pressed on toward Gibeah or Ramah, which was
another two miles north of Jerusalem. By the time they reached Gibeah the
sun had gone down. They found its citizens to be unreceptive. Finally, an old
man returning from the fields invited them into his home and insisted that
they share his food (verses 19:10-21).
These were days of homosexuality. “Now as they were making their hearts
merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round
about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old
man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may
know him. And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and
said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing
that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly” (verses 22, 23). The
night’s meal was rudely and abruptly interrupted by the men of the city. The
writer called them “sons of Belial” (verse 22) that is, they were worthless, goodfor-nothing base fellows. This riotous bunch surrounded the old man’s house.
They demanded that he send out the Levite so they may “know him” (verse
22). The Hebrew word yada as used here means “to know a person in carnal
relations.” This unnatural lust shows the corruption of the homosexual society
that had grown in Gibeah. Paul, by inspiration, describes such as being vile,
unnatural, lustful, unseemly (from the Greek word aschemosune—as-kay-
112 / Judges 17—21
mos-oo-nay, which means “indecent, shameful or obscene”) reprobate, from the
Greek word adokimos—ad-ok-ee-mos, meaning “worthless, a castaway” and
not convenient. “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even
their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and
likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their
lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and
receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And
even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them
over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient (from
the Greek word katheko—kath-ay-ko, meaning “not becoming or not fit,” Rom.
1:26-28). The man of the house pleaded with them, “Do not this folly” (from the
Hebrew word nebalah—neb-aw-law, meaning “foolishness, moral wickedness
or a crime” (Judges 19:23).
These were days of sexual perversion and rape. “Behold, here is my daughter
a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them,
and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile
a thing. But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine,
and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the
night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.
Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of
the man’s house where her lord was, till it was light” (verses 24-26). The morals
of the men of Gibeah were in step with the coldness of the old man toward his
own virgin daughter and the concubine. The Levite proved that he, too, was
morally bankrupt. He pushed his concubine out the door into the hands of the
howling, perverse men. They raped and abused her all night. When the sun
arose, they let her go.
These were the days of murder. “And her lord rose up in the morning, and
opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the
woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands
were upon the threshold. And he said unto her, Up, and let us be going. But
none answered. Then the man took her up upon an ass, and the man rose up,
and gat him unto his place” (verses 27, 28). When the Levite realized that his
concubine was dead, he put her body across one of the animals and went home.
The Levite took a knife and cut his concubine into twelve pieces and sent a
part of her to each tribe of Israel. The children of Israel could not believe such
a thing had happened.
The prophet, Hosea, saw this dreadful act as one of the worse days in Israel’s
history. He referred to it as he calculated the depraved nature of Israel. “They
have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore he will
remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins” (Hosea 9:9).
CIVIL WAR IN BENJAMIN
Judges 20:1-48
These were the days of civil war brought on by the spirit of apathy and the
tenacity of Benjamin’s refusal to correct the terrible wrong done at Gibeah. The
whole nation of Israel was gathered together “from Dan to Beer-sheba, with the
land of Gilead” (verse 1). This was so stated to clearly indicate that all of Israel
came from the northern and southern extent of the country. The land of Gilead
refers to the two and a half tribes east of the Jordan River. Their assembly
place was in Mizpeh which means “watchtower.” It is four miles northwest of
Jerusalem in the territory allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. It is also called,
“Nebi Samwil” or “prophet Samuel” (Judges 20:1).
The chief of each tribe came and presented himself, took his place or station,
in the assembly. The word chief is from the Hebrew word pinnah (pin-naw)
which means “a cornerstone or bulwark.” It was used to refer to a leader of
distinction and good reputation. Around these leaders were gathered four
hundred thousand footmen with swords (Judges 20:2).
The tribe of Benjamin heard about the gathering but they were a no-show.
The details of the horrific events at Gibeah were told to all Israel by the Levite.
He had dismembered his wife (concubine)and sent them each a part of her
body to get their attention and call for swift action (verses 3-6). After telling
his story, he asked for their verdict in the matter. “Behold, ye are all children of
Israel; give here your advice and counsel” (verse 7). The verdict and judgment
was unanimous. “And all the people arose as one man” to deal with the tribe of
Benjamin (verse 8). It was truly sad, indeed, that it took such a horrible act in
Gibeah to unite the nation. After the tragic events of 9-11, America appeared
to be united for war on terror. However, a decade later many are losing the will
to continue the fight until the victory is won. Our nation has suffered much
from earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis and floods. What is it going
to take to unite us as one nation under God? All who came to the assembly at
Mizpeh vowed not to return home until the verdict was carried out.
One tenth of the troops were to be used as a supply line. This was a wise
strategy in case there was a long battle. Before they launched any attack,
a plea was sent to the tribe of Benjamin to deal with the children of Belial,
which lived in Gibeah. Benjamin obstinately refused to listen to their brethren.
Instead, the little tribe of Benjamin prepared to go to war against the other
eleven tribes. They gathered together twenty-six thousand swordsmen, seven
hundred from Gibeah and seven hundred left-handed marksmen with a sling.
They were out numbered almost fifteen to one (verses 11-17).
Israel wisely sought the Lord’s will in this matter (verse 18). This was done
twice more after Israel lost forty thousand soldiers in their first two attacks
(verses 19-28). After a time of weeping, fasting and offering, Phinehas, the
grandson of Aaron, delivered the Lord’s answer. “And the Lord said, Go up;
for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand” (verse 28). They set up an
ambush which led the Benjamites out of Gibeah and into the open. This gave
those in hiding the open gate to enter and burn the city. When the Benjamites
saw the smoke, they turned and began to scatter. In three different battles, the
tribe of Benjamin was nearly wiped out. They lost all their soldiers save six
hundred men. With the army of Benjamin defeated, the men of Israel captured
and destroyed the cities executing both citizens and beasts.
MOURNING IN ISRAEL
Judges 21:1-25
Losing an entire tribe of Israel became a deep concern of the elders. They
returned to Beth-el where they prayed to the Lord all day. In their zeal to
punish Gibeah, they made a hasty vow that they now regretted. Sacrifice was
114 / Judges 17—21
offered in hope that the Lord would heal the hurt done in Israel (Judges 21:1-4).
After a day of heart-searching, a probable answer was put forth by the elders.
When the assembly was called at Mizpeh, those present took an oath to put to
death any soldier of Israel who failed to take part in the battle against Gibeah.
A roll call revealed that not one soldier came from Jabesh-gilead to help fight
(verses 5-9). It was a city on the east side of Jordan allotted to Manasseh. Their
sin had found them out and judgment was laid upon them.
It was decided that the city and its inhabitants would be destroyed except
for the virgins. Their distinctive dress made it easy to recognize them. Four
hundred virgins were spared and taken to Shiloh. A peace-offering was sent to
the six hundred men of Benjamin at Rimmon. They came to Shiloh and took
the four hundred virgins as their brides. There were still two hundred men in
need of a wife (verses 12-14).
Another plan, not as brutal but certainly out of the ordinary, was put forth.
During the annual feast at the Tabernacle the two hundred men were to be
allowed to kidnap one of the daughters of Shiloh when they came out to dance.
This done, the Benjamites, with their new wives, returned home to rebuild
their cities (verses 15-24).
These strange events were postscripted with these words: “In those days
there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own
eyes” (verse 25).
CONCLUSION
One of the most disturbing trends of today is the rapid growth of the belief
that there are no fixed standards of right or wrong. The new situational
ethics creed of morality is—it all depends on the situation. This is left to the
determination of each individual and makes man his own god. This is the worst
form of idolatry and is really no morality at all. God’s Word is the only absolute
standard of right and wrong. We need to be clear as to its role in man’s future
judgment.
These chapters demonstrate the law of reaping what you sow. The concubine,
who played the whore, died by being forcefully raped. The Levite, who sacrificed
his morals and his wife, lost not only his wife but his honor. The men of Gibeah,
along with 25,100 men of the tribe of Benjamin died.
America and its churches cannot continue to compromise with sin and escape
the judgment of God. The sins for which Gibeah were judged are present in
many cities today.
The Book of Ruth
Introduction
I. WRITER AND BACKGROUND
A.The author of the book of Ruth is not named in the text. Most name Samuel as the writer; but there is no evidence in Scripture of the name of any author.
B.The first verse places the time of Ruth during the time of the judges.
1.The genealogy in Ruth 4:18-22 suggests the latter years of the judges.
2.It is possibly completed during the time of David since he is
mentioned by name.
C.Ruth is a striking contrast to the warfare and strife found in the book of Judges.
1.It is a beautiful, love story in the middle of unlovely situations.
2.Standing after Judges, it becomes its sequel and offers an introduction to Samuel.
D.Only two books in the Bible bear the names of women.
1.Ruth is the story of a poor, Gentile girl who marries a rich, Jewish man and is an ancestor of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
2.Esther is the story of a poor, Jewish girl who marries a rich, Gentile king and saved her people, the Jews, from destruction by the Medo-Persian army.
E.Several things are of special note in the story of Ruth.
1.It tells of a prodigal family who went away, and after trials and testing, Naomi and Ruth return to the land of promise and Bethlehem.
2.It tells of the sanctity of the home. Ruth epitomized godly womanhood (Prov. 31:10-31).
3.It tells of the matchless, devoted love between Ruth and Naomi, two women different in so many ways except in their love for each other and God.
4.It tells of a love story between Ruth and Boaz without ever using the word love.
5.It is the only place in the Bible where the law of the kinsman- redeemer is exemplified (Lev. 25:23-30; Deut. 25:5-10).
6.It tells of the link between King David and his ancestors.
7.It presents a beautiful picture of Christ and His churches.
115
II. THE FAMILY OF ELIMELECH (Ruth 1:1-22)
A.The family was from Beth-lehem-judah (Ruth 1:1). Later, it is called the city of David (Luke 2:4). Micah called it Bethlehem Ephratah (Micah 5:1, 2).
1.This Bethlehem is five miles south of Jerusalem on the road to Beer-
sheba.
2.Bethlehem means “house of bread” but there was a famine in the land.
3.The family traveled to the land of Moab on the east side of the Dead Sea.
B.The family consisted of four members, Elimelech, Naomi, Mahlon and
Chilion (Ruth 1:2).
C.Elimelech dies in Moab (verse 3).
1.Naomi’s sons marry Orpah and Ruth, women of Moab (verse 4).
2.Both sons die leaving the three women alone in a hostile society (verse 5).
3.In one decade, Naomi lost her husband, both sons and her inheritance.
D.The return to the Promised Land (verses 6-22).
1.The famine ended, Naomi starts home with her daughters-in-law (verses 6, 7).
2.Naomi encouraged them to return to their mothers since she had little to offer them. After a time of weeping and kissing Orpah returned home (verses 8-14).
3.Ruth displayed love and faithfulness to Naomi and her God (verses 14-18).
4.The citizens of Bethlehem were “moved about” by their return (verses 19-22).
III. GLEANING IN THE FIELDS (Ruth 2:1-33)
A.Naomi and Ruth were reduced to poverty in Judah.
1.God made provision in the Law for those in such need (Lev. 19:9, 10).
2.Gleaning was not considered demeaning but as a means to an end (Deut. 24:19).
B.Ruth met the kinsman-redeemer in the barley field (Ruth 2:1-3).
1.Ruth happened upon the field of Boaz, but it was God leading the way.
2.Noting her virtue, Boaz was attracted to Ruth and showed her favor (verses 4-17).
a. Ruth was to glean only in the fields of Boaz (verse 8).
b. Ruth had no reason to be afraid (verse 9).
c. Ruth ate at the table of Boaz (verse 14).
d. Ruth was allowed among the reapers and given extra (verses 15-17).
C.Ruth presents the food and blessings to Naomi (verses 18-23).
116
IV. THE LAW OF THE KINSMAN-REDEEMER (Ruth 3:1-18)
A.Ruth’s time of mourning had passed (Ruth 3:1-3).
B.Naomi instructed Ruth and sent her to meet Boaz (verses 4-6).
C.Ruth meets Boaz at the threshing floor (verses 7-15).
1.What took place here was a well-recognized ritual (verse 5).
2.There is no suggestion of immodesty. Here we glimpse customs and meetings about which our society today knows little.
3.Ruth’s request, “spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid” was a plea for love and protection (verse 9).
4.Ruth was promised all that she requested (verses 11-15).
D.Redemptions, joys and blessings were shared (verses 16-18).
V. THE KINSMAN-REDEEMER ACTS (Ruth 4:1-22)
A.The Law provided for keeping the land in the family inheritance.
B.The act of redemption was done in view of many witnesses (Ruth 4:1, 2).
C.The other kinsman, like the Law, was powerless to redeem (verses 3-8).
1.The kinsman removing his shoe and giving it to Boaz showed that he relinquished all rights or power to redeem the land and marry Ruth.
2.Boaz by taking the shoe showed he now had the authority and power to redeem the land, marry Ruth and walk upon the purchased possession (verses 9, 10).
3.Boaz took Ruth to be his wife (verse 13). Here was redemption and a wedding ceremony received by faith.
D.Great blessings were given the house of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz (verses 12-17). The name Boaz means “worshiper.”
E.The lineage of David is traced to Pharez, the son of Judah (verses 18-22). This same genealogy is found in the lineage of Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:1-16; Luke 3:23-33).
F. The Hebrew word ga’al (the kinsman-redeemer) speaks both of the redemption (to be free by paying the price), and of the Redeemer (the one who pays the price). This is a great picture of the believer’s redemption in Jesus Christ.
117
Lesson 12
Ruth—Devoted to Duty
Ruth 1; 2
Elimelech and his family faced a number of crises and made some wrong
decisions. Most crises in life are the result of bad decisions or irresponsible
behavior. The consequences are that we begin to eat wrongly and lose sleep,
causing more problems. When we act irresponsibly, we face a broken life. God’s
marvelous grace, mercy and compassion can take a crisis and work it for His
good and honor.
Poverty and the needs that come with them can be severe and trying.
Naomi and Ruth were in need of food, clothing and housing. In a society where
bartering was the way of life, they had nothing with which to barter. Naomi
and Ruth were childless widows. This presented a real predicament in a male
dominated culture. The situation was made worse by Ruth being a Moabitess.
Regardless of their worldly state of affairs, God cared for them. Ruth made a
strong commitment to God and Naomi before they left Moab. Naomi and Ruth
came under the providential hand and care of God, as does every child of God.
This is the subject matter of Ruth chapter 2.
DEATH IN THE LAND OF MOAB
Ruth 1:1-5
They faced the quandary of a corrupt generation when the judges ruled
(Ruth 1:1). What was life like under Israel’s judges? Everyone was doing their
own thing (Judges 17:6). During these days of corruption, this beautiful love
story unfolded. While we were under the sentence of sin and death, the love of
God was made known to the world. God can change this horrible dilemma into
righteousness and life.
They faced the tragedy of a famine. “There was a famine in the land” (Ruth
1:1). The famine even came to Bethlehem, the “house of bread.” Bethlehem
was the bread basket of Israel, but crops failed and people were going hungry.
During the time of the judges, there was the repeated cycle of backsliding,
judgment, repentance and blessings. They were like a yo-yo (Hosea 11:7). There
is a famine in our land today both physical and spiritual. It is not unlike the
famine spoken of by Amos (Amos 8:11, 12).
They faced the misfortune of leaving the land of promise. “And a certain
man of Beth-lehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and
his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the
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Ruth—Devoted to Duty / 119
Manna
Ephrathites of Bethlehem-judah
(Ruth 1:2): The city of Bethlehem
had previously been known as
Ephrath (Genesis 35:19) and
as Bethlehem Ephratah (Ruth
4:2),(Micah 5:2). Some historians
have suggested that Ephratah may
have been an older settlement in
Judah which was later merged
into the larger city or district of
Bethlehem. The word Ephratah may
also indicate that, at some time,
some of the tribe of Ephraim may
have settled there. Elimelech, along
with his wife, Naomi, and his sons
Mahlon and Chilion lived in that
region. The city is called Bethlehemjudah to distinguish it from a city of
the same name which was a part of
the northern area where the tribe of
Zebulun was settled.
Elimelech: the meaning comes
from two root words. The first is
a reference to God and describes
Him as the mighty God. The
second word refers to royalty as
of a king. The two placed together
in this name means “God is King.”
#4428.
name of his wife Naomi, and the name
of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion,
Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah.
And they came into the country of
Moab, and continued there” (Ruth
1:1, 2). Elimelech, whose name means
“God is king,” had already received his
inheritance in the area of Bethlehem.
He had forsaken the promise of God.
Moab was not the place for God’s
chosen people to go. The Moabites
were descendants of Lot’s son by
an incestuous relationship with his daughter (Gen. 19:30-38). The Moabites
worshiped the idol Chemosh, which was called “the abomination of Moab” (1
Kings 11:7). They were bitter enemies of Israel and sought to destroy them
under Balaam’s curse and shameful advice (Num. 22—25). During the time of
the judges, they held Israel captive for eighteen years (Judges 3:14). Israel had
been judged severely for mixing with Moab, and it cost them the lives of twentyfour thousand in Israel (Num. 25:3, 9).
Naomi faced the sorrow of death in her family. Death can turn our world
upside down. “And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her
two sons” (Ruth 1:3). Elimelech did not live up to his name by allowing God
to be the King or the Lord of his life. Naomi was now widowed in a foreign
land where the Jews were not liked. She was alone with two young sons to
raise. Naomi’s life was possibly filled with
nervousness, fear and worry. The sorrow
Mahlon: the meaning is to be sick,
of death cannot be escaped by anyone. It
weak and afflicted. He was a son of
is an appointment we will all keep (Heb.
Naomi. The representation is of a
9:27). How we live and for whom we live
tree that has been rubbed enough
will determine how we die.
to remove a portion of bark so
Naomi faced the challenges that come
that the tree is weakened to the
with intermarriage. “And they took them
possibility of sickness and even
death. Word Studies #4248 and
wives of the women of Moab: the name of
#2470.
the one was Orpah [gazelle], and the name
of the other Ruth [friendship]: and they
120 / Ruth 1; 2
Manna
The Country and People of Moab
(Ruth 1:6): Though the Scriptures do
not give the detailed reason Elimilech
and his family moved from Judah
to Moab, the implication is that the
famine in their homeland was so
severe that they lived in the land
of Moab to sustain themselves. The
Law of Moses did not indicate that
it was wrong for the intermingling
of Jews with Moabites, but the Law
did specify that the Moabites could
not enter the sanctuary of the Lord,
even to the tenth generation. While
there, the sons of Elimilech married
Moabite wives. Mahlon married Ruth
and Chilion married Orpah. After the
death of her husband and sons, Naomi
decided to leave Moab and return to
her homeland of Judah. She had come
to understand that the Lord had come
to the aid of her people, and she was
ready to return.
Chilion: this was the name of
one of the sons of Naomi. The
name represented the process
of weakening before coming to
an end or dying. It denotes a
suffering of worsening affliction,
moving from healthy to sickly and
eventually to death. Word Studies
#3630 and #3615.
dwelled there about ten years” (Ruth
1:4). These two Moabite women
were idolaters. Therefore, marriage
to them was forbidden by God. God’s
Word forbids compromise with the
world. When a Christian fellowships
with or marries an unbeliever, he
will be influenced in the wrong way
(Deut. 7:3, 4). Christians need to be
careful of the company they keep
and turn away from those who are
walking contrary to God’s Word.
Another’s way of life will affect us. If
you hunt with a skunk long enough,
you will come home smelling like a skunk. Human nature is easily corrupted
by its peers (1 Cor. 15:33). The Christian yoke will not balance when it is yoked
to an unbeliever because their way of life is opposed to one another (2 Cor.
6:14).
Naomi faced the adversity of despair. Not only did she lose her husband in
death, but her sons also passed away. “And Mahlon and Chilion died also both
of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband” (Ruth 1:5).
What was a Hebrew widow to do in the land of Moab?
GOOD NEWS FROM BETHLEHEM
Ruth 1:6-10
The commitment was made to return to Bethlehem. “Then she arose with her
daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had
heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving
them bread” (Ruth 1:6). Note that she was returning for bread. The thing she
needed the most is not mentioned. The long years in Moab had taken their toll.
Note Naomi’s spiritual insensitivity to her daughters-in-law. She encouraged
Orpah and Ruth to return home. “Wherefore she went forth out of the place
where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the
way to return unto the land of Judah. And Naomi said unto her two daughters
in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the Lord deal kindly with you,
as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me” (verses 7, 8). Her reasoning was
so they could marry. In Moab, this
would have been a marriage to men
who worshiped idols. She even asked
Obligations of Daughters-in-law
the Lord to bless this incorrect and
(Ruth 1:11-14): The daughters-inregretful decision. “The Lord grant
law of Naomi, both being from the
you that ye may find rest, each of you
land of Moab, felt an obligation
in the house of her husband. Then she
to Naomi as per the law of the
kissed them; and they lifted up their
Levirate (Deuteronomy 25:5-10),
voice, and wept” (verse 9). It is wrong
and decided to accompany her to
Judah. Since they were childless
to invoke a blessing of the Lord on
and Naomi had no other sons, the
anything that goes against His Word.
law of the Levirate did not apply. In
At first they both responded with
a gesture of love and consideration,
devotion to Naomi. “And they said unto
she sought to release them from any
her, Surely we will return with thee
further obligation to her and have
unto thy people” (verse 10). However,
them remain in their own land with
Naomi was insistent. She had no sons,
their own people. Since they were
from Moab, the likelihood of their
was too old to marry and have more,
remarriage among the Hebrews
they couldn’t wait that long and the
was very slim. So, considering their
Lord was against her. “And Naomi said,
plight and that of her own as an
Turn again, my daughters: why will ye
aged widow, she encouraged them
go with me? are there yet any more sons
to stay in Moab.
in my womb, that they may be your
husbands? Turn again, my daughters,
go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I
should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; would ye tarry
for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands?
nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the
Lord is gone out against me” (verses 11-13). Making difficult decisions under
duress is not easy. Naomi urged the wrong decision from her daughters-in-law.
“And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother
in law; but Ruth clave unto her. And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone
back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law”
(verses 14, 15). Sadly, Orpah is never mentioned again. However, not yet known
to them, God was working in the lives of Naomi and Ruth.
Manna
MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS
Ruth 1:16-22
Making right choices is important when difficult times come in our lives.
Ruth’s love for Naomi led to her conversion and worship of Jehovah. Ruth’s
commitment was to God, Naomi and family. “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to
leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will
go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy
God my God” (verse 16). This was a commitment until death. It was a total and
unshakable devotion of her life. “Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I
be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and
me” (verse 17). Naomi, taken by Ruth’s submissiveness, honored her decision.
“When she saw that she was stedfastly [from the Hebrew word amats—to be
122 / Ruth 1; 2
strong, brave, or determined] minded to
go with her, then she left speaking unto
her” (verse 18). Ruth was not indecisive
or neutral and neither can we be. Our
profession of faith should never falter.
“Let us hold fast the profession of our
faith without wavering [from the Greek
word aklines, ak-lee-nace—to not lean,
to be unmoved]; (for he is faithful that
promised;) and let us consider [from the
Greek word katanoeo, kat-an-o-eh-o—to
observe fully or understand] one another
to provoke [paraoxusmos, par-ox-oosmos—to incite, stir up or sharpen] unto love and to good works: not forsaking
the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting
one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:2325).
Bethlehem was shocked at Naomi’s arrival and her appearance. “So they
two went until they came to Beth-lehem. And it came to pass, when they were
come to Beth-lehem, that all the city was moved [from the Hebrew word hum—
it was in an uproar] about them, and
they said, Is this Naomi?” (Ruth 1:19).
It was the women of Bethlehem who
were so stirred. They in Hebrew is in
Affliction of the Almighty (Ruth
the feminine. The ladies in Bethlehem
1:21): It was the opinion of Naomi
were buzzing about; “Is this Naomi?”
that her plight had been deemed
punishment from the Lord for
“Can this be Naomi?” She was years
the choices her family made by
older, grayer, perhaps stooped with age
living for several years away from
and with no husband or sons.
Judah in Moab. Such included the
Naomi confessed God’s dealing in
untimely deaths of her husband
her life and told the women to call her
and sons. She believed that she
bitter. And she said unto them, Call
was enduring the affliction of the
me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the
Almighty but was not in a position
to know exactly the purposes of
Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with
God for her life and what the future
me” (verse 20). No longer did she feel
held. She stated that she previously
like Naomi, which means “pleasant,”
had been “full,” not necessarily
but she felt like Mara, which
with possessions but certainly with
means “bitter.” She had met with El
a husband and sons, and was later
Shaddai’s (the Almighty’s) discipline
“empty” implying that the loss of
her husband and sons was that
and correction. She went away from
which impoverished her. She was
Bethlehem full but returned home
unable to foresee that God was
empty. “I went out full, and the Lord
about to provide for her and her
hath brought me home again empty:
posterity in ways she could never
why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the
have believed nor imagined.
Lord hath testified against me [from
the Hebrew word anah—to speak or
Naomi, Mara: the meaning
of Naomi is to be pleasant,
agreeable and delightful. The
meaning of Mara is to be bitter.
These two descriptions refer to
the personality. The two names
represent a great contrast in
the heart and personality of the
woman first known as Naomi.
#4751.
Manna
respond against, both by word and deed] and the Almighty hath afflicted [from
the Hebrew word ra’a—humbled or broken] me?” (verse 21). Living those many
years in Moab was a life filled with one catastrophe after another.
Naomi’s blessing began once she was back home in Bethlehem. “So Naomi
returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned
out of the country of Moab: and they came to Beth-lehem in the beginning of
barley harvest” (verse 22). Her heart was opened before the Lord. Ruth was
with her and she was home were she belonged.
RUTH THE GLEANER
Ruth 2:1-7
The time of redemption was drawing near. “And Naomi had a kinsman [from
the Hebrew word yada—an acquaintance or to know people relationally] of her
husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name
was Boaz” (Ruth 2:1).
The name Boaz means “swiftness” or “in him is strength.” He was the son
of Salmon and Rahab of Jericho. He was in the direct lineage of Judah, the
fourth son of Jacob. He was a man of wealth which is from the Hebrew word
chayil meaning “a man of means, virtue, valor and strength.” He was a man of
standing in Bethlehem. Boaz, according to rabbinical tradition, was a nephew
of Elimelech. This prepares the reader for the soon to be revealed kinsmanredeemer that was needed by Naomi and Ruth. Boaz will be the one to deliver
and redeem all that was lost. Even though Naomi and Ruth were not yet aware
of God’s plan for them, He was at work fulfilling His covenant with Abraham
concerning the Christ (Gal. 3:16).
Ruth did not sit idly at home and wait for a handout. She honored Naomi
by asking to be allowed to glean the fields. “And Ruth the Moabitess said unto
Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose
sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter” (Ruth 2:2).
The Lord made provision in the Law for those in such need to be able to glean
the fields and vineyards of Israel (Lev. 19:9, 10). Gleaning was not considered
dishonorable or demeaning. It was work in the fields, not a handout, and a means
to an end (Deut. 24:19). Ruth was aware of this Law and took the initiative
to go to the fields. She did not wait for an invitation. God provided for her
and Naomi. “And she went, and came, and
gleaned in the field after the reapers: and
Her Hap: the meaning is to
her hap [from the Hebrew word miqreh,
experience an unplanned event
mik-reh—which refers to something
or to visit an unplanned place, as
coming to pass as an opportunity; that
by accident or chance. The lack
of planning is on the part of the
which occurs without human planning
subject, but does not exclude
or intervention] was to light on a part of
divine or outside providence.
the field belonging unto Boaz, who was
of the kindred [from the Hebrew word
mishpachah, mish-paw-khaw—which is
one’s clan, tribe or family] of Elimelech”
(Ruth 2:3). This was not chance or luck. Faith leaves the guiding in the hands
of the Lord.
124 / Ruth 1; 2
Three important lessons for us are given here. (1) We need to be diligent
and show initiative in meeting our needs. There should be no slothfulness or
laziness among Christians. We are to be fervent in our service (Rom. 12:11).
(2) We need to learn this lesson from Ruth and the ant. Have you ever seen an
ant asleep or taking a break? (See Proverbs 6:6.) (3) Solomon declared that a
slothful or lazy brother or sister is “a great waster” (Prov. 18:9).
Boaz is now a part of the heart of this great love story. Through him the
blessing of the Lord would flow upon Ruth and Naomi. Boaz and his reapers
had respect for the Lord and each other, which is witnessed in their greeting.
“And, behold, Boaz came from Beth-lehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord
be with you. And they answered him, The Lord bless thee” (Ruth 2:4).
Boaz inquired about the new, young lady gleaning in his fields. “Then said
Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel [na’arah,
a young girl who is marriageable] is this?” (verse 5). Boaz’ foreman identified
Ruth and praised her work. “And the servant that was set over the reapers
answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out
of the country of Moab: and she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after
the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the
morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house” (verses 6, 7). Boaz’s
concern points us to God’s love for His children who shows “himself strong” on
their behalf (2 Chron. 16:9).
RUTH MEETS BOAZ
Ruth 2:8-16
Boaz’s talk with Ruth gave her hope and peace of mind. “Then said Boaz unto
Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither
go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens” (Ruth 2:8). Boaz did not
address her as a foreigner but as “my daughter” (verse 8). This was in reference
to the age difference. He would have been several years older than Ruth. It also
showed his respect for Naomi. The Lord always takes the initiative to call and
help His sons and daughters.
Boaz promised Ruth that she would be protected and that he would provide
for her. “Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them:
have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when
thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men
have drawn” (verse 9). The young men working for Boaz were given orders to
respect Ruth and allow her to drink from their water vessels. She was under
his protection. The Lord promises to protect His children by encamping around
them (Psalm 34:7; 125:2). Believers are privileged to drink the water of life
drawn from “the wells of salvation” (Isa. 12:3).
Ruth was humbled by Boaz’ graciousness. “Then she fell on her face, and
bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in
thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?”
(Ruth 2:10). She claimed no right or special favor, but asked, “Why?” The grace
of God should bring us to our knees. We, like Ruth, are strangers and aliens
with no promise or hope (Eph. 2:12). We, like Ruth, cannot claim any special
privilege. It is all by the grace and mercy of God (Rom. 3:23, 24). Boaz treated
Ruth like she was family. It is God’s grace that makes us part of His family
(Eph. 2:19). Ruth’s humbleness lifted her status. God will lift up His humble
child (James 4:10).
Boaz encouraged Ruth in her time of need. He witnessed Ruth’s commitment
first hand. “And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed
me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine
husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of
thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore”
(Ruth 2:11). Boaz asked God’s blessings upon Ruth because of her newfound
faith. “The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the
Lord God of Israel” (verse 12). Ruth was placed under God’s care. There is not
a better place. “Under whose wings thou art come to trust” (verse 12). The word
wings is from the Hebrew word kanaph and is used to speak of the extremity
of an army or an overspreading of a garment. It is a picture of protection. There
is no need to fear in the field of labor in which the Lord has placed us for He
is there to help us (Isa. 41:10). David prayed and asked the Lord to, “Keep me
as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings” (Psalm 17:8).
God’s love leads His children to find shelter under His wings (Psalm 36:7).
Ruth’s response to Boaz noted four things. (1) The need for Boaz’ continued
favor. “Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight” (Ruth 2:13). (2) Boaz was
the controller of her life. She called him “my lord” from the Hebrew word adon
meaning “a ruler, sovereign, controller or master” (verse 13). (3) She showed
her appreciation for Boaz’s comfort and care. “For that thou hast comforted me,
and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid” (verse 13). (4) She
acknowledged her unworthiness. Who among us is worthy? “Though I be not
like unto one of thine handmaidens” (verse 13).
Boaz did far more than Ruth asked or expected. He shared his meal with
her. “And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the
bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar” (verse 14). This was the beginning
of Boaz’ wooing Ruth. It was a simple picnic in the field. Bread dipped in olive
oil and vinegar is good. Boaz personally served Ruth. “And she sat beside the
reapers: and he reached her parched corn” (verse 14). Grain was a staple item.
David took this to his brothers (1 Sam. 17:17) and Barzillai (bar-zil-lah-ee)
brought it to David as he fled from Absalom (2 Sam. 17:28). Ruth was filled by
the provided supply. “And she did eat, and was sufficed, and left” (Ruth 2:14).
Unbeknown to Ruth, Boaz provided more than enough for her and Naomi. “and
when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let
her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: And let fall also some
of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them,
and rebuke her not” (verses 15, 16).
A NEXT KINSMEN
Ruth 2:17-23
Hope was made alive by Boaz’s provisions. The hope of redemption was
cause to praise the Lord. “So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out
that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley. And she took it up,
and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and
126 / Ruth 1; 2
she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.
And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and
where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she
shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man’s
name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz. And Naomi said unto her daughter
in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living
and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one
of our next kinsmen” (Ruth 2:17-20). The words next kinsmen are from the
Hebrew word ga’al which means “to redeem, act as a kinsman-redeemer and to
redeem by payment.” This will be of great importance before the story of Ruth
ends. Note how Boaz moved up the scale from a yada, an acquaintance, then
to a mishpachah, a clan member or family, and, finally, the ga’al, the kinsmanredeemer. What or who is our hope of redemption? It is only found in Jesus and
His blood (Eph. 1:6, 7).
Naomi and Ruth had the hope of continued provisions. “And Ruth the
Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men,
until they have ended all my harvest” (Ruth 2:21). The children of God need not
beg for bread (Psalm 37:25).
Naomi and Ruth had the hope of continued protection. “And Naomi said
unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with
his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field” (Ruth 2:22). Children
of God are never without His presence and protection for He never leaves us
(Heb. 13:5). The Lord is our protector and keeper. He guards and protects us
(Psalm 121:2-5).
Their hope of redemption was gladly received after their years of turmoil.
“So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest
and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law” (Ruth 2:23).
CONCLUSION
Where are we today, in Moab or Bethlehem? Are we in and of the world or
in the place where God can bless us? Where is your family? Are they lost in
a strange land? Whose example are they following? Where will it lead them?
Orpah, like many today, went the wrong way.
Are we zealous for the Lord and His provisions? Are we seeking His will for
our lives? (Col. 1:9-11).
Lesson 13
Ruth—Rewarded
for Faithfulness
Ruth 3; 4
Ruth, with Naomi’s guidance, placed their situation into the hands of the
kinsman-redeemer. They were seeking a full family relationship. Marriage was
ordained by God and is a sacred institution. Therefore, the person we marry
is one of the most important decisions we will make in this life. Marriage is
important for several reasons. First, it is to honor God and His plan of creation.
Second, it was designed to propagate the human race. Third, it involves the
establishment of a home, the place of godly relationships, love, rest, provisions,
stability and security.
Seeking after Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer, would bring Ruth and Naomi
redemption from their poverty-stricken state and verify the family name and
heritage. Ruth and Boaz are a beautiful picture of our steps in coming to Jesus
Christ. The law of the kinsman-redeemer, which Ruth and Boaz were following,
was intended to set forth in type the coming Messiah as Israel’s and the world’s
Redeemer.
SEEKING REST FOR RUTH
Ruth 3:1-4
There was the need for Ruth to seek and find the redeemer. She was a
childless widow in a male-dominated culture. The only means of a meager
survival was that of gleaning the fields and vineyards. Naomi was concerned
for Ruth’s welfare. “Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter,
shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?” (Ruth 3:1). Ruth’s
situation is a picture of our need of a Redeemer. Sin has left man in ruin and
destitute. “For the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). Without a Redeemer, we
are without any hope (Eph. 2:12).
There was the need for Ruth to know how redemption was to be secured.
Naomi told Ruth exactly how to approach the redeemer. Ruth was made aware
of where she needed to go. “And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose
maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor”
(Ruth 3:2). The Bible clearly states where we need to find the Redeemer. God
made Christ the means of our redemption (1 Cor. 1:30). Redemption can only
be secured by the payment of the price by the Redeemer (Eph. 1:6, 7). There
were not a number of options given to Ruth. There was only one way and only
one who could redeem. There is no redemption apart from going to Jesus Christ
(John 14:6). Songwriter, Jessie Pounds penned these words, “I must needs go
home by the way of cross, There’s no other way but this.”
127
128 / Ruth 3; 4
Manna
Winnowing Barley in the
Threshingfloor (Ruth 3:2): A
common practice among harvesters
in the Middle East was to winnow
grain, whether wheat or barley
depending on the season, which
took place in the evening to take
advantage of the cool winds off the
Mediterranean Sea. Winnowing
takes place on a grain threshingfloor. After threshing the grain
which actually is beaten to separate
the grain kernels from the chaff,
winnowing is the process in which
a winnowing fork is used to throw
the grain and chaff high into the air
when the winds from the sea are
most prevalent, which was in the
later evening. The winds would
blow the much lighter chaff and
carry it away from the threshingfloor, while the much heavier grain
kernels would fall to the floor.
Anoint: it is to smear an element such
as oil on an object. The term suggests
a covering of the object with the
element. The Hebrews often used
the process of anointing of oil for
various purposes, to place a special
identification upon a person. Word
Study #5480.
Ruth was to be prepared to meet the
redeemer. There were certain steps
she was to follow. Ruth was to “wash
thyself therefore” (Ruth 3:3). Like
Ruth we must be cleansed from that
which contaminates us—sin. We need
to pray from the heart like David’s
penitent prayer and ask God to wash,
cleanse and purge us (Psalm 51:2, 7).
Ruth was to offer a sweet savor to
Boaz: “Anoint thee” (Ruth 3:3). Like
Ruth, we must offer up a sweet savor
to God. This can only be done through
the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. The word
order in the Greek language is, because
of Christ, a sweet savor we are to God. (See 2 Corinthians 2:15.) Believers have
a special unction or anointing “from the Holy One” (1 John 2:20).
Ruth was to be properly dressed—“put thy raiment upon thee” (Ruth 3:3).
Like Ruth, we must be properly dressed when we come into the Redeemer’s
presence. This starts with being clothed with “the garments of salvation” (Isa.
61:10). This will finally be completed with a wedding garment (Rev. 19:7, 8).
Ruth was to go to the redeemer—“get thee down to the floor” (Ruth 3:3).
Ignoring him would not bring the needed redemption. All those seeking
redemption must come to Jesus. Those who come to Jesus will never hunger
nor thirst and need never worry about being thrown out of the house (John
6:35-37). The Redeemer is the only place to find rest (Matt. 11:28-30).
Ruth was to quietly go in, uncover Boaz’s feet and lie down—“but make not
thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. And
it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie,
and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down” (Ruth 3:3, 4). Like
Ruth, we are coming to the Redeemer to do what His Word has instructed. We
must do what the Word of God states if we hope to be redeemed (Rom. 10:8-13).
Like Ruth, we must offer ourselves as servants at Jesus’ feet. This is where we
cast all our burdens and cares “for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:6, 7).
Ruth was to do what Boaz told her. “He will tell thee what thou shalt do”
(Ruth 3:4). Like Ruth, we must listen to the Redeemer and follow His Word.
Ruth—Rewarded for Faithfulness / 129
Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me”
(John 10:27). Like Ruth, our faith will be renewed by the Redeemer’s Word
(Rom. 10:17).
RUTH’S FAVORABLE ACCEPTANCE
Ruth 3:5-13
Ruth agreed to do all that Naomi told her. “And she said unto her, All that
thou sayest unto me I will do. And she went down unto the floor, and did
according to all that her mother in law bade her. And when Boaz had eaten
and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap
of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down” (Ruth
3:5-7). Obedience is essential when coming to the Redeemer. Our cry must be
that of Israel in their answer to Joshua. “The Lord our God will we serve, and
his voice will we obey” (Joshua 24:24). Obedience is a sign of our willingness to
serve and obey our Master.
Ruth was now at the place where she could ask for redemption. “And it came
to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold,
a woman lay at his feet. And he said, Who
art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth
Skirt: the reference is to the
thine handmaid: spread therefore thy
extremity of a thing. The edge of
skirt over thine handmaid” (Ruth 3:8, 9).
that part of an object that extends
Ruth made an important request of
out from its mass. The term is
used to denote the wing of a bird
Boaz, “Spread . . . thy skirt over thine
as it is the edge of the bird’s body
handmaid” (verse 9). This is from the
extending outward. The word may
Hebrew word kanaph meaning “thy wings
also refer to the edge of a piece of
or thy garments.” This is the same word
paper or cloth such as the edge of
used by Boaz when he blessed Ruth. “The
a garment. Word Studies #3670
Lord recompense thy work, and a full
and #3671.
reward be given thee of the Lord God of
Israel, under whose wings thou
art come to trust” (Ruth 2:12). The
Hebrew text literally reads: spread
Spread a Skirt over the Handmaid
thy wings over thine handmaid.
(Ruth 3:9): In the culture of the Middle
This was a symbolic proposal of
East, both among Arabs and Hebrews,
marriage. Ruth was seeking his
a man’s outer garment would cover
protection and to be a part of his
his feet when he sat or reclined and his
life. These are the wings of gentle,
wife would also have the corner of his
tender, sheltering care. She was
garment to cover her feet. Such was an
undeniable indication that she was his
now in a position to come under
wife. In the case of Ruth’s request of
Boaz’s wings because she had first
Boaz, she indicated that since he was a
come under the caring wings of
kinsman of Naomi, she was requesting
Jehovah.
that he consider marriage. Since Ruth
Boaz was identified as Ruth’s
could have made the request of a
kinsman-redeemer,
“For
thou
younger and nearer kinsman, Boaz was
art a near kinsman” (Ruth 3:9).
impressed that she desired him even
though he was considerably older.
This from the Hebrew word ga’al
meaning “to redeem according to
Manna
130 / Ruth 3; 4
the law of kinship, to buy back the lost property, to marry the widow, to avenge
the blood (if needed), to deliver and ransom.” This was a full and complete
marriage proposal along with the request for complete redemption. This is a
picture of the believer asking Christ for redemption. Our salvation, baptism
and church membership present us with a marriage proposal. We are espoused
to our Redeemer, Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 11:2). We have come under the Redeemer’s
wings.
Ruth was about to receive the blessing of redemption. “And he said, Blessed
be thou of the Lord, my daughter” (Ruth 3:10). Note carefully the compliments
he paid to Ruth. Ruth showed love for others—“for thou hast shewed more
kindness in the latter end than at the beginning” (verse 10). Ruth was not
a lustful woman—“inasmuch as thou followedst not young men” (verse 10).
Ruth did not seek some social status—“whether poor or rich” (verse 10). Ruth’s
concern was for Naomi and saving her family heritage, the redemption of the
family name and lost property. Redemption, through our Kinsman-Redeemer,
Jesus Christ, should be our number one priority.
Boaz gave Ruth the blessed assurance that redemption was going to happen.
Boaz calmed Ruth’s fears: “And now, my daughter, fear not” (Ruth 3:11). Jesus,
our Redeemer calms every fear.
Jesus told His disciples, “Are not five
sparrows sold for two farthings, and
The Kinsman-Redeemer (Ruth
not one of them is forgotten before
3:13): According to the Law, the
God? But even the very hairs of your
nearest kinsman had the priority
head are all numbered. Fear not
of redeeming a woman through
therefore: ye are of more value than
marriage. Since Boaz was a more
many sparrows” (Luke 12:6, 7). This
distant relation to Naomi, he
sought to fulfill the Law concerning
is a joyous and wondrous part of our
the kinsman-redeemer. However,
redemption to know that the Lord has
Manna
he swore with an oath to her,
which was binding, that if the
nearer kinsman did not redeem
her, Boaz would most assuredly
perform the duty. The concept
of the kinsman-redeemer took on
several applications in the Old
Testament. Basically, it referred to
one who would rescue a relative
from poverty or imminent danger.
Ruth was a Moabite widow who
needed to be redeemed to be secure
in Israel for the rest of her life. The
Lord Jesus Christ, who became
a man, identified with us in the
incarnation and rescued us from
the peril of eternal judgment by
providing the acceptable sacrifice
of Himself on the cross so that we
might be redeemed.
Kindness: the idea concerns the
treatment of others. This action may be
described by terms like loving kindness,
grace, mercy, goodness, generosity and
devotion. This manner of behavior is
pleasing to others as it favors their
wellbeing. Word Studies #2616 and
#2617.
Virtuous: it is to be strong, hard and
unmovable. The virtuous person is in
control of self and surroundings. The
word may represent physical strength
and ability, or it may speak of moral
strength and the discipline to control
oneself. The end result is often godly
integrity. Word Study #2428.
“delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4). Boaz made Ruth a promise. “I
will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know
that thou art a virtuous woman” (Ruth 3:11). What we ask in Jesus’ name, He
hears and answers. “We know that we have the petitions that we desired of
him” (1 John 5:15). Our Redeemer will continue to work in us and for us until
that wonderful day (Phil. 1:6). Boaz graciously accepted his role as the near
kinsman and promised to do all that was necessary for her redemption. “And
now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer
than I. Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform
unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he
will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to
thee, as the Lord liveth: lie down until the morning” (Ruth 3:12, 13). Jesus did
all that the Father required for redemption. “I have glorified thee on the earth:
I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4).
RUTH’S PATIENCE
Ruth 3:13-18
Boaz offered words of wisdom to Ruth. This was done to guard against any
appearance of wrong and to keep down ill rumors and gossip. “And she lay at
his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And
he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor” (Ruth 3:14).
Guarding one’s name and reputation is important in the service of the Lord.
Ruth was given an abundance of provisions from Boaz. “Also he said, Bring the
vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured
six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city” (verse 15).
The greater blessings of our redemption are still future. We cannot begin to
imagine the glory that awaits us when the Redeemer comes again.
Ruth shared her joy with Naomi. “And when she came to her mother in law,
she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had
done to her. And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said
to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law” (verses 16, 17). Ruth returned
home excited and shared the great news. Ruth had not returned empty-handed.
Every believer should be excited about sharing what the Redeemer has done
and has promised to do. We never return empty-handed. The Lord has a special
way of packing it down and still making it run over (Luke 6:38).
Ruth patiently waited for her day of redemption. “Then said she, Sit still, my
daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in
rest, until he have finished the thing this day” (Ruth 3:18).
BOAZ TAKES ACTION
Ruth 4:1-6
The focal point in the story of Ruth and Naomi is redemption, and it comes to
full fruition in chapter 4. They were actual historical figures used by the Lord
to teach us the glorious truths concerning the kinsman-redeemer. The Law of
the Kinsman-Redeemer, which Boaz and Ruth were acting in accordance with,
sets forth in type and picture the coming Messiah as the believer’s KinsmanRedeemer.
The greater story presented in the book of Ruth is the spiritual redemption
of all who come to Jesus Christ by grace through faith. Ruth is a type of the
132 / Ruth 3; 4
trusting believer coming to the Redeemer. Boaz is a type of the Redeemer,
Jesus Christ who redeems all who were lost and more. The prophet Isaiah
preached about the Redeemer coming out of Zion (Isa. 59:20, 21). This is an
important lesson that all need to read and understand because all mankind
needs redemption.
The redeemer must be a near kinsman, a close relative which is a member
of the family. This was essential to preserve the family name and keep the
inheritance in the family. If a man died without a child, his brother was to
marry his widowed sister-in-law. The firstborn was to be given the name of the
deceased brother (Deut. 25:5, 6). The land that was granted as an inheritance
was not to move around from tribe to tribe. It was to stay with the family (Num.
36:9). For these reasons, Boaz had to go to the other near kinsman. “And now
it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than
I” (Ruth 3:12). They had to settle the issue of the Law. Who would marry Ruth
and redeem the family inheritance?
Boaz went to the city gate; the place where legal matters were settled.
“Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there” (Ruth 4:1). This was
where the elders and men gathered to conduct business. Boaz summoned the
other kinsman to come and sit at the gate. His name is unknown or was not
given because he could not redeem. “And, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz
spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here.
And he turned aside, and sat down” (verse 1). The elders of Bethlehem were
called as witnesses and jurors in this legal matter. “And he took ten men of
the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down” (verse 2).
Boaz presented the case for Naomi’s need of a redeemer. “And he said unto the
kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel
of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s” (verse 3).
Boaz is a type of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. To redeem us, Jesus had to be
related to us. This is why He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of
Mary (Luke 1:31). Jesus Christ, God’s Son, became flesh and lived among us
(John 1:14). He came “in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned
sin in the flesh (Rom. 8:3). Jesus Christ took on our form and our likeness
(Phil. 2:7). Jesus, in the gates of Jerusalem, called the Law, Psalms and the
Prophets to be His witnesses and jurors. Everything that was written in them
concerning the coming Messiah, Jesus, must be fulfilled (Luke 24:44). Jesus
Christ is the only Kinsman-Redeemer lost men have. Silver and gold cannot
redeem. The traditions of our fathers cannot redeem. Only the precious blood
of Christ can redeem lost man (1 Peter 1:18, 19).
The kinsman must be willing to redeem. Boaz pleaded with the other near
kinsman to redeem Naomi’s inheritance. “And I thought to advertise thee,
saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people” (Ruth
4:4). The word advertise is from the Hebrew word galah (gaw-lah) which means
“to uncover in a disgraceful sense; stark exposure, to make bare or to shame.”
The other kinsman, like the Law, had the first claim. “If thou wilt redeem it,
redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for
there is none to redeem it beside thee” (Ruth 4:4). At first the other kinsman
agreed to do his part. “And he said, I will redeem it” (verse 4). All that had
been mentioned so far was the property. His quick response would indicate he
thought of adding to his own inheritance. Naomi was past childbearing age. He
would not have to marry her. Naomi had no sons and thus no heirs. He would
not have to share the inheritance. Boaz had no legal rights until the Law was
fulfilled. He was next in line after the other near kinsman. Note Boaz’s remark,
“And I am after thee” (verse 4).
The kinsman must be able to redeem. Boaz reminded the kinsman of his
legal duty to marry Ruth. “Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field
of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife
of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance” (verse 5).
The kinsman was not able to redeem the family and its future heirs. “And the
kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance”
(verse 6). This is what man faced under the Law of Moses which could not
redeem. “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them
who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world
may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no
flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Rom. 3:19,
20). The Law was the truth of God (Psalm 119:142). The Law was honorable
(Isa. 42:21). Doers of the Law shall be justified (Rom. 2:13). The problem was
not the Law, but the weakness of fleshly man. This is why all men need a
redeemer (Rom. 8:3).
The kinsman could not give life and raise up the name of the dead. “Thou
must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the
name of the dead upon his inheritance” (Ruth 4:5). The Law cannot give life
(Gal. 3:21). The Law cannot redeem or justify. “Therefore we conclude that a
man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Rom. 3:28). The other
near kinsman had to bow to Boaz’s right to redeem and marry Ruth. “Redeem
thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it” (Ruth 4:6).
FOLLOWING THE LAW OF THE KINSMAN
Ruth 4:7-13
The kinsman must legally transact redemption before witnesses. The Law
required that the other near kinsman give his sandal to the redeemer. “Now
this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and
concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and
gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel” (Ruth 4:7). This
was in fulfillment of the Law concerning the keeping of a brother’s house, his
name and his inheritance (Deut. 25:7-10).
The other near kinsman and Boaz fulfilled what the Law required. “Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe” (Ruth
4:8). In the Old Testament, to walk upon, or to set foot upon land meant one
was taking possession and ownership. This is pictured with Abraham and the
people of Israel who walked in the land of promise (Gen. 13:17; Deut. 11:24).
This act meant that Boaz was able to walk where the other kinsman was unable to tread.
Jesus, our Kinsman, fulfilled all the Law’s requirements; therefore, the Law
must bow to His right to redeem. Jesus did not come to destroy the Law, but
134 / Ruth 3; 4
to fulfill it (Matt. 5:17). Not until the Law was fulfilled could Jesus say, “I have
glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to
do” (John 17:4). No one is worthy to remove Christ’s sandal. John the Baptist
struggled with baptizing Jesus because he did not feel he was worthy to do so
(Matt. 3:14). Jesus was able to go where the Law could not tread and make
the redeemed one a son (Gal. 4:4-7). Jesus, like Boaz, triumphed over the Law.
He loosed the sandal and tread over the ground of redemption. “Blotting out
the handwriting of ordinances that
was against us, which was contrary to
us, and took it out of the way, nailing
it to his cross; and having spoiled
The Confirmation Sign of
principalities and powers, he made a
Redemption (Ruth 4:7): Since
Elimelech, Naomi’s late husband,
shew of them openly, triumphing over
had no surviving legal heirs,
them in it” (Col. 2:14, 15).
the land of his inheritance was
The witnesses were called to
of concern with regard to his
confirm the act of Boaz redeeming the
family’s continued history with
lost inheritance. “And Boaz said unto
the nation. Since the land was used
the elders, and unto all the people,
for agriculture, the cost of the land
Ye are witnesses this day, that I have
and its harvests would have to be
bought all that was Elimelech’s, and
included in the transaction until
the year of Jubilee. The cost of
all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of
Elimelech’s land was one thing, but
the hand of Naomi” (Ruth 4:9). Jesus
the redemptive transaction included
purchased us. He paid the price for
the marriage of the kinsman to Ruth,
our redemption and inheritance (1
the Moabitess. It is not clear what
Cor. 6:20; 7:23). Boaz redeemed Ruth
was in the mind of the close relative,
to be his wife (not a slave) and to keep
but something caused him to reject
the family name alive. “Moreover Ruth
the proposal. He then surrendered
the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon,
the right of redemption to Boaz and
took off his sandal and gave it to
have I purchased to be my wife, to
Boaz, thus sealing the covenant and
raise up the name of the dead upon his
granting the right of redemption for
inheritance, that the name of the dead
the land of Elimelech and his sons
be not cut off from among his brethren,
and marrying the widow of Mahlon,
and from the gate of his place: ye are
Elimelech’s son.
witnesses this day” (Ruth 4:10). Jesus
did not redeem us to be slaves, but to be
family. We have received “the adoption
of sons” (Gal. 4:5). “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but
fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Eph. 2:19). Ruth,
as a picture of the redeemed and wedded church, is the real treasure in Boaz’s
field. Boaz was willing to buy the field and take the hidden treasure for his wife
(Matt. 13:44). He willingly paid the price.
The kinsman moved the elders to prayer. They prayed that Ruth would be
fruitful. “And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are
witnesses. The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel
and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel” (Ruth 4:11). They prayed
that Boaz’s house would be honored. “And do thou worthily in Ephratah, and
be famous in Beth-lehem” (verse 11). They prayed the family would be fruitful
Manna
and honored. “And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare
unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman”
(verse 12). We are to pray and witness today that churches and their Redeemer
will be fruitful (Col 1:9-14).
Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer kept his promises. Boaz married Ruth. “So Boaz
took Ruth, and she was his wife” (Ruth 4:13). The Lord honored and blessed the
marriage. “And when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and
she bare a son” (verse 13). Christ, our Redeemer, will keep all of His promises
(2 Cor. 1:20). Christ guarantees our inheritance to be incorruptible, undefiled,
and that it fadeth not away (1 Peter 1:3-5).
RUTH AND NAOMI BLESSED
Ruth 4:14-22
The redeemer provided redemption through the child. “And the women said
unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a
kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel” (Ruth 4:14). The child would
renew and sustain Naomi. “And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life,
and a nourisher of thine old age” (verse 15). The child was proof of the love of
Boaz and Ruth. “For thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better
to thee than seven sons, hath born him”
(verse 15). The child was considered the
Loveth: the meaning is to possess
legal son and heir of Naomi. “And Naomi
a strong emotional attachment
took the child, and laid it in her bosom,
to an object. One may have a
and became nurse unto it” (verse 16). The
strong delight in it and desire the
child was fruitful, the grandfather of King
presence of it. This love is like the
David and of the lineage of the Kinsman
love that God has for His people.
Redeemer, Jesus Christ. “And the women
This love causes one to do good
her neighbours gave it a name, saying,
toward the object and cause no
There is a son born to Naomi; and they
harm. Word Study #157.
called his name Obed [serving]: he is
the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron, and Hezron
begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, and Amminadab begat Nahshon, and
Nahshon begat Salmon, and Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, and
Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David” (verses 17-22).
CONCLUSION
The greater sense of the story of Ruth is the picture of our spiritual
redemption through our Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus Christ. It clearly shows
the importance of the Law of the Kinsman-Redeemer and mankind’s need for
redemption.
May God grant that we patiently wait for the glorious appearing of our
Redeemer, Jesus Christ (James 5:7, 8). We do not know the exact day or hour,
but we do know that He is coming soon (Matt. 24:44; 25:13). Like Ruth, we
must be making preparation for that grand and glorious day (Rev. 19:7, 8). Like
Ruth, our hope, our only hope, is in the Redeemer.
136 / Bibliography
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Baker/Carpenter. The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament.
Chattanooga: AMG, 2003.
Baxter, J. Sidlow. Explore The Book. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1960.
Brenton, Sir Lancelot C. L. The Septuagint. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1990.
Canavan, Martin. Old Testament Survey. Bellflower: CMBI, 1974.
Cook, F. C. Barnes Notes. Grand Rapids: Baker House, Reprint 1879.
Harris, Archer, Waltke. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Chicago:
Moody Press, 1980.
Jamieson, Fausset and Brown. Critical & Explanatory Commentary. Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans, 1935.
Jensen, Irving. Survey of the Old Testament. Chicago: Moody Press, 1978.
Holdcroft, L. Thomas. The Historical Books. Oakland: Western Book Company,
1970.
Keil & Delitzsch. Commentary on the Old Testament. Peabody, MA, 2006.
Neufeldt, Victoria. Webster’s New World Dictionary. New York: Simon &
Schuster, 1991.
Orr, James. The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 1974.
Owens, John Joseph. Analytical Key to the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker
Book House, 1994.
Pink, Arthur W. Gleanings in Joshua. Chicago: Moody Press, 1964.
Robertson, A.T. Word Pictures in the New Testament. Nashville: Broadman
Press, 1930.
Smith, James. Handfuls On Purpose. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing,
1966.
Spence/Exell. The Pulpit Commentary, Joshua. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983.
Spence/Exell. The Pulpit Commentary, Judges. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983.
Spence/Exell. The Pulpit Commentary, Ruth. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983.
Tenney, Merrill. Zondervan’s Pictorial Bible Dictionary. Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 1963.
Zodhiates, Spiros. The Complete Word Study New Testament. Chattanooga:
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Manna - American Baptist Association

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