Day 16: Joshua 1:1-Joshua 14:15 - 90 Day Challenge

Beginning the Book of Joshua

An Emerging Leader for the Israelites



Finally! The moment we've been waiting for since Exodus! The Israelites have arrived to the Promised Land! 
  1. Right from the beginning, in Joshua 1:9, we see God provide comfort to Joshua as he begins to lead the Israelites. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." And so God commands the Israelites to invade Jericho. 
  2. Several spies are sent into Jericho, but they were expecting them. So, the Israelites spies stayed with a woman named Rahab, who invited them in and provided refuge (she was either a prostitute or an innkeeper; this point is unclear). The spies, in return, vow to save Rahab and her family when the Israelites invade Jericho. 
  3. The Israelites cross the Jordan River to get to Jericho, and upon successful crossing, all the males are circumcised (all the males who were already circumcised were dead). After their recovery, the Israelites conquer Jericho on God's command. 
  4. God commands the Israelites to keep nothing for themselves following  their victory. It is either to be burned or to be placed in the temple. One man, named Achan, disobeyed this rule, and kept some silver, some artifacts, and a decorated robe for himself. God curses the Israelites until Achan is punished for his sins. 
  5. The villages around Jericho hear of the Israelite victory and become fearful. Israel defeats the city of Ai, but the Gibeonites trick the Israelites, so they would not be killed. The Israelites make an oath to not kill them, but after realizing it was a trick, they made the Gibeonites work for them as slaves. 
  6. The Israelites then conquer the  rest of the surrounding cities, and all of the land is distributed among the tribes of the Israelites. 

Between yesterday's reading in Deuteronomy, and today's reading from Joshua, it feels like the Lord is trying to tell us something! 
Do not be afraid!
God is with us always!
God has a plan for each of us, but we need to be bold enough, and brave enough, to act on it!


Was there anything in today's reading that spoke to you? Anything that you had questions on? Leave it in the comments!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Tomorrow's reading: Joshua 15:1-Judges 3:27
Jill Jafarace 
Director of Student Ministries
New Leaf UMC

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