Extras On Set

Joshua 5:13-6:27 | Ben Potloff | This week we have a familiar story of Joshua leading the Israelites against the fortified city of Jericho. They had just miraculously crossed over the Jordan river, set themselves apart by circumcising all the men, and now Joshua experiences a conversation with God. At this point Joshua is clearly set apart for the task of leading Israel against the city of Jericho. This is an impossible task done in an improbable way. God gave Joshua instructions to take the city, however not by force, but through obedience.MAIN IDEAVictory belongs to the Lord. OUTLINEI. The Lord fights for his people and promises complete victory (5:13-6:5)II. God’s people are to respond to His promises with obedience (6:6-21)III. Those promised salvation by faith will surely receive it (6:22-27)DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. The baton or mantle of Moses was passed to Joshua. Moses, the man who had faced Pharaoh, who had led the nation across the red sea, who had struck the ground and water came forth, who led the nation day after day, the man who was known as a friend of God, and now it was Joshua’s turn to take over. What do you think Joshua felt at this point? A bit daunting? Discuss a time you had big shoes to fill—what did you do? What would you have done differently?2. In Joshua 5:13-15 Joshua was approached by a mysterious man with a drawn sword. What did Joshua ask the man? What was the man’s reply? What did the man command Joshua to do? Who also was commanded to take off his sandals? Thinking about these two encounters with God—how can that change our perspective on how we live?3. Have you ever noticed that Joshua never asks, “Why God?” Do we ever require a “why” to be answered before obeying? Read 1 Samuel 15:22. What do you think God means by saying, “To obey is better than sacrifice”? What does that look like for us today?4. Read Joshua 6:8-10, 15-16. This chapter references the number “7” fourteen times. There are so many places in the Bible where numbers are significant. Where are other times we see the number seven referenced in the Bible? Bonus: Read Revelation 8.5. Read Joshua 2:15-18 and 6:22-25. Who was Rahab? What was the agreement the spies of Israel had with Rahab? What was the indicator for the Israelite army to identify Rahab and her family at the time of the attack? Does the color of the cord displayed in the window have any significance? Read Exodus 12:13. What similarities do you see to the first Passover?