This week will conclude the book of Joshua and the life of Joshua. The last few chapters focus on the conquest to be done to drive out the inhabitants of the land. The book of Joshua ends with speeches by both Joshua and God. Joshua charges the Israelites to stay faithful to the LORD, and the LORD reminds the Israelites of all He has done since His promise to Abraham. It ends on a semi-positive note with the Israelites able to choose obedience or rebellion. The book of Judges is about the nation of Israel in the land under tribal chiefs that God raises up. It has nothing to do with “judge” in our modern legal sense. The book begins back before Joshua’s death which is recorded at the end of Joshua. The opening two chapters are a recap and introduction to the story that will follow. Unfortunately, the possible positive outcome at the end of Joshua turns out to be a roller coaster of rebellion, punishment, crying to the Lord, and the LORD delivering His people (again) through a judge. The notable pattern is that in every cycle both the people of Israel and the judge become more morally corrupt. Focus on how far the Israelites and their leaders fall, which only points to a need for something more. We know that this is ultimately fulfilled in Christ.
Each week, as you take in the Bible, find some friends to talk it out. You can follow this simple guide to help. First, R.E.A.D. and P.R.A.Y. on your own. Then, meet with friends to share what you've learned.
R - Repeated words
E - Examine and mark
A - Ask what you learn about God
D - Do if there is anything to do
P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Bible Plan Reading - Week 21
START IT.
We're reading the Bible together in 2024. Specifically, we're taking a journey into how the story of the Bible unfolded in the Old Testament. If we get the big picture, we get the story the Bible is trying to tell us. From Sunday's message or The Big Picture Bible Reading Plan this week in the book of Joshua or Judges, what is impacting you the most? Was there a word, phrase, Bible verse, or theme that impacted you?
STUDY IT.
Read Genesis 12:1-3. Read Joshua 23:3, 10, and 14-16. What did Joshua state in regards to God’s fulfillment of His promise to Abraham? What do we know will happen according to the word given to Moses in Deuteronomy 31:16-19?
Read Judges 21:25. This is the last verse in the last chapter of the book of Judges. It sums up the theme of the book. What is defined here as the problem with man’s thinking? Read Judges 2:1-3. What is the reason that the LORD will not drive out the inhabitants? Read Judges 2:11, 16-23, 3:4. What is the cycle described here?
The Judges are described in 6 stories. The first 3 are shorter stories, and the following 3 are longer. Read Judges 3:10. How is Othniel described? Does scripture point out any character flaws in verse 10? What was upon Othniel according to verse 10? Contrast this description with later Judges character.
Read Judges 3:15-16. What hand did Ehud use? Why would this be significant in hiding a weapon if most people were right-handed and therefore needed to draw a sword from their left side? Which side would guards expect to check for a weapon? Read Judges 3:21. Why do you think this detail is recorded? How does it bring honor to God who made Ehud left-handed at that time and place? Read Judges 4:2, 9, and 23. Who is directing the stories of the people corporately or individually?
Read Judges 6:11, 15, 22, 27. What is the common theme about Gideon in these verses? What do words like “hide,” “least,” “alas,” and “afraid” tell us? Compare with Othniel who went out to war. How does God respond to Gideon’s fear in 6:23, 39-40, and 7:10? How does God use the fear in Gideon and the weakness of only 300 men to bring glory to himself? See Judges 7:2.
SHARE IT.
How have you been reminded of Jesus in the reading of Joshua and Judges this week? Has anything reminded you of scripture in the New Testament?
Have you read the book of Judges before? After reading it, what did you learn about God in this lesser known book?
Read Exodus 6:25. Numbers 25:6-13. Read Joshua 22:12-14, 16, 24, and 28-30. Phinehas was known for his zeal for the LORD, as depicted in Numbers 25. How are you willing to use your authority to give space for clearing up a misunderstanding, or do you jump to conclusions and act on them? When are you more or less likely to hear another person’s point of view before responding?
Read Deuteronomy 12:8-14. Joshua 22:19-20, 31. Rebellious behavior individually and corporately affects everyone and it must be addressed. The Israelites were willing to go to war, but first were willing to give up their land to bring their potentially rebellious brothers back into the fold (if their assumptions were correct, and they were not correct). Are you willing to find solutions that cost you something regardless of what the other person may or may not be offering? Joshua 22:31. How are you willing to admit you are wrong, or had a wrong attitude? How are you willing to praise others for the work God is doing through them?
FINAL THOUGHT
Joshua 24:15 states, “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” All throughout the Old Testament the Israelites are setting up monuments to remind themselves of the Lord’s faithfulness. They are constantly told to tell their children about what God has done and promised. This week was an encouragement to remember all the LORD has accomplished not only for you personally, but also the ways in which we see others testify to God's goodness. It is good to reflect and set up mental reminders for when life gets ‘lifey’ , how God has been faithful and ever present despite our wanderings. God states in Judges 2:1-2, “I will never break my covenant with you’…but you have not obeyed my voice.” The question of how a holy and merciful God can be in covenant with a sinful people keeps getting emphasized with every generation’s disobedience. It looks like it will finally be over with for the people of God, and perhaps you have felt that way too. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:4-10)
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