Joshua Strong and Courageous // Battle Strategies

1. The Cutting and Consecration Joshua 5:2-3 NIV 2 At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.” 3 So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth. Joshua 5:8-9a NIV 8 And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed. 9 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” 2. The SIDES and STANCES Joshua 5:13-14a NIV 13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” 14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Joshua 5:14b-15 NIV 14…Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” 15 The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. 3. The SEEING and the SHOUTING Joshua 6:1-2 NIV 1 Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. 2 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. Joshua 6:3-5 NIV 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.” Joshua 6:10 NIV 10 But Joshua had commanded the army, “Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!” Questions: 1) What do the phrases “consecrate yourself” and “set apart” mean to you? What are things in your life that you consider “sacred”? How do those sacred things impact you regularly? 2) Have you ever found yourself fighting a battle that was never intended for you? How did it play out? What lessons from that experience helped shape you? 3) What is something that God has promised you that hasn’t come to fruition in your life? How do you manage God’s timing on a daily basis?