Lesson 3
Higher Ways
(JOSHUA 5)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Joshua 5. This lesson references chapter 5 in Be Strong. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
The nation of Israel arrived safely on the other side of the Jordan River. Their crossing was a great miracle, and it sent a great message to the people of the land (5:1). The Canaanites were already afraid (2:9–11), and now their fears totally demoralized them.
You would have expected Joshua to mobilize the army immediately and attack Jericho. After all, the people of Israel were united in following the Lord, and the people of the land were paralyzed by fear. From the human point of view, it was the perfect time for Joshua to act.
But God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours (Isa. 55:8–9), and Joshua was getting his orders from the Lord, not from the military experts. The nation crossed the river on the tenth day of the first month (Josh. 4:19). The events described in Joshua 5 took at least ten days, and then the people marched around Jericho for six more days. God waited over two weeks before giving His people their first victory in the land.
God’s people must be prepared before they can be trusted with victory. The triumphant conquest of the land was to be the victory of God, not the victory of Israel or of Joshua.
—Be Strong, page 71
1. Why do you think God made the Israelites wait over two weeks before sending them into Jericho? How does this time of waiting test the people? The leadership? What message does this story have for God’s people today? For leaders?
More to Consider: After triumphantly crossing the Jordan River, the nation paused at Gilgal while the men submitted to painful surgery. Why did God command this ritual at this time? (See Josh. 5:2–7.)
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Joshua 5 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here.
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
Through the ritual of circumcision the Jews became a “marked people” because they belonged to the true and living God. This meant that they were under obligation to obey Him. The mark of the covenant reminded them that their bodies belonged to the Lord and were not to be used for sinful purposes. Israel was surrounded by nations that worshipped idols and included in their worship rituals that were sensual and degrading. The mark of the covenant reminded the Jews that they were a special people, a separated people, a holy nation (Ex. 19:5–6), and that they were to maintain purity in their marriages, their society, and their worship of God.
—Be Strong, page 72
3. Review Joshua 5:2–7. Why was it important for the Israelites to be “marked” by God? (See Ex. 19:5–6.) What does it mean to be a holy people? How do Christians identify themselves with God today? What are the “marks” of a Christian faith?
From the Commentary
This physical operation on the body was meant to be a symbol of a spiritual operation on the heart. “Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer” (Deut. 10:16 NKJV). No amount of external surgery can change the inner person. It’s when we repent and turn to God for help that He can change our hearts and make us love and obey Him more. (See Rom. 2:25–29.)
But over the years, the Jews came to trust in the external mark of the covenant and not in the God of the covenant who wanted to make them a holy people.
—Be Strong, page 73
4. Why do you think the Jews came to trust the external mark of the covenant instead of the internal mark? How do believers do this today? How can we overcome the temptation to trust symbols rather than what they represent?
From Today’s World
The importance of symbols varies greatly from one sect of Christianity to the next. For some, the symbols provide a quiet reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice. For others, the symbols carry much more weight and are believed to accomplish cleansing, spiritual nourishment, and so on. Symbols aren’t limited to religious belief systems, though. They’re evident in everything from gangs to the military to corporate settings and anywhere else where people want to identify themselves as members of a certain group.
5. What are the benefits of outward symbols? What are the risks? Why do people want to identify themselves in certain groups? What do they get out of this association? When does an outward symbol become more important than what it represents?
From the Commentary
Israel was camped in enemy territory, just a few miles from Jericho. Now they were going to temporarily disable every male in the nation, including every soldier in the army! What a golden opportunity for the enemy to attack and wipe them out. (See Gen. 34.) It took faith for Joshua and the people to obey the Lord, but their obedience to the law was the secret of their success (Josh. 1:7–8). In their weakness they were made strong, and through faith and patience they inherited the promises (Heb. 6:12).
—Be Strong, pages 73–74
6. Read Joshua 5:8. Why didn’t the enemy attack during this time when the Israelite men were weakened? How might the Israelites have responded to Joshua’s leadership during this time? What role did trust play in this situation? How does a leader earn the sort of trust that Joshua had with his men?
From the Commentary
The word Gilgal is similar to the Hebrew word galal, which means “to roll.” But what was “the reproach of Egypt”? Some suggest that this means their reproach for being slaves in Egypt, but it wasn’t Israel’s fault that the new pharaoh turned against them (Ex. 1:8ff.). The Jews were in Egypt because God had sent them there (Gen. 46:1–4), not because they were disobedient.
It’s also been suggested that “the reproach of Egypt” refers to the nation’s shame because they had worshipped idols in Egypt (Ezek. 20:7–8; 23:3) and even during their wilderness wanderings (Amos 5:25–26; Acts 7:42–43). But that older generation was now dead, and the younger Israelites certainly shouldn’t be blamed for the sins of their fathers. Furthermore, it’s difficult for me to see the relationship between crossing the river, circumcision, and the Jews’ idolatry in Egypt.
I think that “the reproach of Egypt” refers to the ridicule of the enemy when Israel failed to trust God at Kadesh Barnea and enter the Promised Land.
—Be Strong, pages 74–75
7. Why was it significant that God mentioned the “reproach of Egypt”? How does Joshua 5:9 help us to see God’s hand in the Israelites’ ongoing story?
From the Commentary
“Forgetting those things which are behind” (Phil. 3:13) is wise counsel for most areas of life, but there are some things we must never forget. In his farewell address to the nation, Moses repeatedly commanded the Jews to remember that they were once slaves in Egypt and that the Lord had delivered them and made them His own people (Deut. 6:15; 15:15; 16:12; 24:18, 22). This great truth was embodied in their annual Passover Feast.
—Be Strong, page 77
8. Read Joshua 5:10–12. Why was it important that the Israelites celebrated the Passover? What are the risks of not remembering the things of the past? How do we know what things we should remember and what should be forgotten? How do we celebrate remembering important biblical truths today?
More to Consider: Joshua 5:10–12 notes the end of God’s provision of manna and therefore the promise of a new harvest in Canaan. Why was this significant in the Israelites’ story? In what ways did Jesus compare Himself to both the manna (John 6:26–59) and the harvest (4:34–38; 12:20–28)?
From the Commentary
Joshua had read in the book of the law what Moses had said to the Lord after Israel had made the golden calf: “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here” (Ex. 33:15 NKJV). The Lord had promised to be with Joshua just as He had been with Moses (Josh. 1:5), and now He reaffirmed that promise in a personal way. Like his predecessor, Joshua refused to move until he was sure the Lord’s presence was with him.
—Be Strong, page 79
9. How did Joshua reaffirm the Lord’s presence? (See Josh. 5:13–15.) Why was this important to his leadership ability? How do believers today affirm God’s presence?
From the Commentary
In Christian ministry great public victories are won in private as leaders submit to the Lord and receive their directions from Him. It’s doubtful that anybody in the camp of Israel knew about their leader’s meeting with the Lord, but that meeting made the difference between success and failure on the battlefield. The Chinese Bible teacher Watchman Nee wrote, “Not until we take the place of a servant can He take His place as Lord.”
Joshua was reminded that he was second in command. Every father and mother, pastor, and Christian leader is second in command to the Lord Jesus Christ, and when we forget this fact, we start to move toward defeat and failure. The Lord came to Joshua that day, not just to help but to lead. “Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NKJV). Joshua was an experienced soldier, whom Moses had trained for leadership. Yet that was no guarantee of success. He needed the presence of the Lord God.
—Be Strong, pages 80–81
10. Read John 15:5. How does this verse apply to Joshua’s situation? What does being “second in command” look like in practical terms? How do leaders submit to God? How does this submission reveal itself to followers?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Joshua 5. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. What are some of the things you’ve had to wait upon God for? Did you struggle with impatience? Explain. Why is it so difficult to trust God during times when nothing seems to be happening?
12. In what ways are you “marked” as a believer? How do the outward symbols reflect your inward truth? Have you ever put too much emphasis on the symbol instead of the truth? Explain.
13. The Israelites celebrated Passover to remember their rescue from captivity. What are some ways you celebrate what has brought you to this place in your faith? Do you do a good job of remembering God’s role in your story? What could you do better?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you need to learn how to wait on God? Be specific. Go back through Joshua 5 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: The overarching theme of Joshua 5 is learning how to be spiritually prepared for the work you do. Think about your own work—not just your job, but also your role as friend, parent, volunteer. How do you prepare for this work spiritually? If you don’t have a specific plan for your preparation, consider making one and sticking to it. You might include regular prayer, study, and conversation with spiritual leaders.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve noted above. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.
• Before you start the next lesson, read Joshua 6. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read chapter 6, “The Conquest Begins!” in Be Strong.