Part 4 of 12 / Entering The Land: The Conquest Under Joshua
- Chris Houser
- Aug 29
- 3 min read
Introduction: From Promise To Possession
After 40 years of wandering, Israel stood on the brink of destiny. The wilderness season was behind them; the Jordan River now marked the threshold of promise. But the land of Canaan was not empty, but filled with fortified cities and powerful nations. God's promise was sure, but His people would need faith, obedience, and courage to possess it.
This week, we will be walking with Israel under Joshua's leadership as they cross the Jordan, witness miraculous victories, and learn the importance of trusting God in battle.
Key Scriptures
Joshua 1:6-9 - God's Charge To Joshua
Joshua 3-4 - Crossing The Jordan
Joshua 5:13-15 - The Commander Of The Lord's Army Appears
Joshua 6 - The Fall Of Jericho
Joshua 7 - Achan's Sin And The Defeat At Ai
Joshua 24:14-15 - Joshua's Farewell Challenge
The Commissioning Of Joshua
" Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
- Joshua 1:9
With Moses deceased, Joshua was commissioned to step into leadership. His success depended not on military strategy, but on obedience to God's Word (Joshua 1:8). Leadership in God's Kingdom always begins with dependence, not self-reliance.
Crossing The Jordan: A New Beginning
In a miracle echoing the Red Sea, God parted the Jordan River during the flooded season. The priests carried the ark, and the waters stopped, allowing all of Israel to cross on the dry ground (Joshua 3-4). Twelve stones were set up as a memorial, a reminder for future generations of God's faithfulness.
The Lesson: every new season with God begins by stepping into the water of faith.
Jericho: Victory Through Obedience
Jericho's walls were humanly impossible to conquer, yet God gave Israel victory through an unlikely stretegy - marching, trumpets, and shouts. This battle revelaed to the region that God fights for His people, that obeying God is more powerful than human abilities, and through Faith in God, He brings down strongholds before you. (Hebrews 11:30)
AI: The Danger Of Disobedience
Not every battle was a victorious one however. When Achan disobeyed by keeping forbidden plunder which God instructed, Israel suffered a horrible defeat at Ai (Joshua 7). This showed that sin in the camp hinders God's blessing. Once the sin was dealt with, victory was then restored.
The Lesson: hidden sin has public consequences.
The Covenant Renewed At Shechem
As conquest continued, Joshua gathered the people and called them to renewed covenant faithfulness. His famous declaration still challenges us today. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." - Joshua 24:15
Application: Spiritual Lessons From Joshua's Conquest
God Calls Us To Courage: like Joshua, we must face challenges with Faith, not Fear.
Obedience Brings Victory: Jericho fell, not by human power, but by submission to God's command.
Sin Must Be Confronted: Just as Achan's disobedience hindered Israel, unrepented sin hinders our walk with God.
We Are Called To Choose Daily: Joshua's farewell challenge echoes whom will we serve?
Reflection Questions
What about Joshua's leadership teach us about trusting god in new seasons of life?
How does Jericho show the difference between human strategy and God's power?
Why is it important to deal with hidden sin quickly and openly?
How can we apply Joshua's declaration 'as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord' in our homes today?
Closing Prayer
Lord, just as You led Joshua and Israel into the Promised Land, lead me into the fullness of Your promises. Give me courage to face the giants, faith to see walls fall, and humility to obey Your Word. Remove anything in our life that hinders victory, and let my household be marked by a commitment to serve You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
SNEAK PEEK / Week 5
In Week 5, we will study Israel's turbulent period after Joshua, when there was no king, and 'everyone did what was right in their own eyes' (Judges 21:25). This will reveal God's mercy in raising up deliverers despite Israel's repeated rebellion.
Tune Next Week for Week 5: The Era Of The Judges: Cycles Of Sin And Deliverance
Don't miss next week!
Until We Meet Again ~ Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!
