But the Israelites were unfai...

But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.

2Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, "Go up and spy out the region." So the men went up and spied out Ai.

3When they returned to Joshua, they said, "Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there."

4So about three thousand went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai,

- P108

5who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted in fear and became like water. - P109

11Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions.

12That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.

- P110

13"Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow; for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There are devoted things among you, Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them. - P111

Achan from the tribe of Judah takes some of the devoted things for himself,
causing God‘s anger to burn against Israel. As a consequence, they are de-feated at Ai. Joshua questions the Lord, and He replies tha Israel has sinnedby stealing devoted things. He commands them to consecrate themselvesand come forward by tribe, clan, and family until the guilty party is identified. - P109

When more spies are sent to the smaller city of Ai, they see that there are only a few people there. Thus, Israel sends only a couple thousand soldiers for battle. However, the Israelites lose the battle, and they are terrified. Joshua and the elders fall before the Lord in desperate prayer, and God tells Joshua that Israel has violated their covenant. - P112

One person has stolen and lied, but the entire community is affected. - P112

The situation may seem extreme to us, but the truth is that the sins of even one person can impact an entire community. - P112

May we be quick to identify, confront, and repent of any sins in our churches so that nothing will hinder us from achieving our victories in God. - P112

The people of Israel are told to consecrate themselves in preparation for thenext day. They are to cleanse and sanctify themselves, recognizing that theyare going to go before the holy Lord. The next day, tribe by tribe, family byfamily, the people will go before God, and it will be revealed who has violated the covenant and defiled the whole community.  - P112

This unfaithfulness isa kind of adultery. The Lord and His people are supposed to be committedto one another, but an outrageous act-a willful sin against God-hasviolated this relationship. At its root, this sin is idolatry.  - P112

We must bewareof idols in our lives, for they can tempt us away from our committed rela-tionship with the Lord. - P112

We must bewareof idols in our lives, for they can tempt us away from our committed rela-tionship with the Lord. - P112

Joshua tears his clothes, falls facedown, and remains there all day before theark of the Lord. His response reminds us of the importance of seeking theLord in times of trouble and uncertainty. When we experience distress andworry, we sometimes turn to Him at first. But over time, we become wearyof intentionally seeking Him out.  - P113

We can learn from the example of Joshua,
who had the habit of turning to God in good and bad times. He knew thatturning to God was best because He was the only One with the ultimatepower, authority, and providence.
- P113

While Joshua receives a very cclear message from God, we do not always hearsuch direct answers when we are in distress. When we have brought ourquestions to Him for an extended period of time, we can be left wonderingwhether God has even heard our cries because we have been suffering forso long.  - P113

We might desire an instant fix, asking God to get rid of whateveris causing us distress. However, it is imperative that we keep seeking Hisface and trusting Him. Even when it feels like we are met with increasinguncertainty and lack of clarity as we follow God, we can be assured that Hewill answer.  - P113

We may not always receive our desired answer, but we can trustthat God‘s answer will always be what we need so that we can grow in Him. - P113

Dear God, I ask that You reveal any idols in my heart. - P113

Help me and my church community to root out sins, humbly seek Your correction, and walk in accordance with Your truth and ways. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P113

[오늘의 한문장] 하나님의 마음을 배우다

"하나님은 두 개의 처소를 가지고 계시는데, 하나는 하늘 보좌요, 다른 하나는 회개하는 겸손한 마음이다. 마귀도 역시 두개의 처소를 가지고 있는데, 하나는 지옥이요, 또 하나는 교만한마음이다." - P116

그리스도 예수의 마음은 겸손입니다. 당신의 성육신이, 당신의 십자가가 하나님의 겸손을 드러내는 증표입니다.
"교만하면 안 된다"에 이어 오바댜서를 통해 우리가 배우는두 번째 진리는 "뿌린 대로 거둔다"였습니다. 결국 겸손한 자에게 은혜를 베푸시고, 또 뿌린 대로 거두게 하시는 하나님을 체험하고 간증하며, 그분께 영광을 돌리는 삶이 되기를 바랍니다. - P117

15On the seventh day, they go...

15On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times.

16The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, "Shout! For the Lord has given you the city!

17The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent.

- P104

18But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it.

19All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the Lord and must go into his treasury."

- P104

21They devoted the city to the Lord and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys. - P104

22Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, "Go into the prostitute’s house and bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to her."

23So the young men who had done the spying went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother, her brothers and sisters and all who belonged to her. They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel.

- P105

25But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho—and she lives among the Israelites to this day. - P104

On the seventh day, the Israelites march around Jericho seven times. Thepriests blow the trumpets, Joshua commands the people to shout, and thewalls collapse. They destroy everything in the city but make sure to save Rahaband her family. The city is burned and its valuables go to the Lord‘s treasury.
Joshua pronounces a curse on anyone who rebuilds Jericho. - P105

Israel’s victory over Jericho reminds us that there is no obstacle too great for God. Led by Joshua, who receives explicit instructions from the Lord, the people follow the word given to them. They faithfully circle the city for seven days, with the seventh day requiring the much longer task of marching around the immense city seven times. The soldiers remain silent until the priests sound the trumpet blast, and the thousands of men shout with faith knowing that the Lord has given them the city. - P106

Sometimes, we may feel like an impenetrable wall is before us. However, as we trust in God’s leadership and purpose in our lives, we can step out in obedience and faith, expecting walls to fall down before us. - P106

In this passage, we see the faith and faithfulness of several people. Joshuaprompts the two spies to keep their promise to Rahab, saving not only herbut also her entire family. Rahab herself risks everything based on her beliefthat Israel‘s God is Lord of all.  - P106

From the perspective of her countrymen, shecan only be seen as a scandalous traitor, but she places her faith in the Godof Israel above her allegiance to Jericho.  - P106

Joshua demonstrates his faithfulnessin leading the people to victory, and he curses anyone who tries to rebuildthe city that God has destroyed. Such examples show us both the challengesand rewards of faith and faithfulness to God. - P106

 It was clear tto everyone in Canaanthat Israel‘s army did not win because they had the strongest soldiers or thebest military strategy; it was by Israel‘s obedience to God‘s plan that theyachieved victory,
- P107

In our own lives, we can be tempted to take matters into our own hands.
We can forget that we are not truly our own, for we did not create ourselves.
We may make plans and put in our human effort, but it is God‘s hand andHis ways that will reign supreme. Of course, it is helpful to have goals andtake practical steps toward achieving them.  - P107

However, it is important toremember that we should consistently and prayerfully surrender our plansto God. We should ensure that they align with His plan for us. We can askfor the Holy Spirit to steer us in the right direction when we are veering farfrom Him.  - P107

When we acknowledge that He knows what is best, we showthat the only plans worth doing are those that align with God‘s will for ourlives. - P107

Lord Jesus, thank you that there is no obstacle too great for You. I ask that You strengthen my faith so that I can resist temptations and pressures and focus on the rewards of faithfulness to You. In Your name I pray, amen. - P107

2Then the Lord said to Joshua...

2Then the Lord said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.

3March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days.

4Have 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.

5When 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."

- P100

10But 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!" - P101

11So he had the ark of the Lord carried around the city, circling it once. Then the army returned to camp and spent the night there.

12Joshua got up early the next morning and the priests took up the ark of the Lord.
- P101

The Lord tells Joshua that He has delivered Jericho into the hands of theIsraelites. The armed men are to march around the city once a day for sixdays, followed by priests carrying the ark and trumpets. On the seventh day,
they are to march seven times. The armed guard is to remain silent while thepriests blow the trumpets, until Joshua tells them to shout. - P101

The city of Jericho securely bars its gates, standing like an impregnable fortress. It seems impossible to conquer by human effort. However, the almighty God declares that He has already given Jericho into Israel’s hands. Victory is assured if His people follow the unusual instructions of marching around the city for six days, and on the seventh day, march around the city seven times and give a loud shout. - P102

Sometimes, we may feel like we are in an impossible situation with no way out. - P102

However, God often has an entirely different perspective, and He can lead and guide us to victory in unusual and unexpected ways. Our role is to remain close to Him, listen to His voice, and follow His instruction. - P102

The Israelites faithfully march for six days around Jericho just as they havebeen instructed. They place the ark of the covenant in the middle of thearmy, demonstrating that God is at the center of His people.  - P102

The soldiers do not giveany war cry or even say a word. They remain patient and obedient. Whenwe face our own battles, we might want to see God‘s promises fulfilledquickly. We may feel impatient about His unusual instructions or even fearlooking foolish in following them.  - P102

However, if we are patient and faithfulto obey, we can expect to see mighty victories in our lives. - P102

"Yahweh himself issues the command for Israel to attack..., but he alone (not Israel)actually fights and wins the victory. Israel is simply to trust Yahweh for victory, notdepend on their own devices."- Robert L. Hubbard, Jr. - P102

 He was calling me tohumble myself before the team. I thought I knew the solution, but in Hisgrace, God showed me that thetrue answer was humility.
- P103

Circling around Jericho must have seemed like a bizarre way to conquer acity, but we do not see Joshua and the Israelites questioning God‘s methods.
- P103

In our own lives, when we acknowledge God‘s wisdom and leadership, weshow that we trust in Him. We understand that His ways are best, and webecome effective in fighting whatever battles come our way-sometimesin unexpected ways.  - P103

In whatever struggles we have today, may we findbreakthrough as we solve them His way. - P103

Heavenly Father, I put my trust in You and in Your goodness to bring me to Your glorious victory. - P103

Instruct me through my daily battles, and help me to humble myself as I listen and patiently endure in obedience to You. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P103

4Now this is why he did so: A...

4Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of military age—died in the wilderness on the way after leaving Egypt.

5All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness during the journey from Egypt had not.

6The Israelites had moved about in the wilderness forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the Lord. For the Lord had sworn to them that they would not see the land he had solemnly promised their ancestors to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. - P96

10On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover.

11The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain.

12The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan.

- P97

13Now 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." Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?"

15The commander of the Lord’s army replied, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.
- P97

The Lord commands Joshua to circumcise the Israelites with flint knives.
Joshua obeys, and they stay in the camp until they are healed. They celebratethe Passover at Gilgal and eat produce from the land. After this, the mannastops. Joshua meets a man with a drawn sword, who introduces himself as thecommander of the Lord‘s army. Joshua falls facedown in reverence. - P97

At the turning point from the wilderness to the promised land, God tells Joshua to first circumcise the Israelites. Doing this was risky since the men would be vulnerable before their enemies while they healed. However, they demonstrate their commitment to God because they understand that their success going forward in the promised land is not dependent on human strength; it rests on their covenant relationship with Him. - P98

As the people of Israel demonstrate their commitment, they also experience the blessings of being God’s covenant people. - P98

In our new covenant relationship through Christ, circumcision is no longer required. However, as we demonstrate our commitment to Him through our words and actions, we experience the joy and blessing of being aligned with Him and feasting in His goodness. - P98

As the conquest of Canaan is about to begin, Joshua sees a man with asword in his hand. When Joshua questions his loyalties, the man explainsthat he is no mere soldier but the commander of the army of the Lord. Josh-ua immediately falls facedown in reverence. The scene reminds us of another divine encounter when Moses saw the burning bush.  - P98

Joshua receives thesame instruction as Moses: to take off his sandals because he is standing onholy ground. Both Moses and Joshua show their utmost respect, serving asa model for our posture before God.  - P98

We should not only listen and act inaccordance with our covenant commitment but also recognize the perfec-tion and holiness of our God who guides us and fights for us. - P98

As the conquest of Canaan is about to begin, Joshua sees a man with asword in his hand. When Joshua questions his loyalties, the man explainsthat he is no mere soldier but the commander of the army of the Lord. 
Joshua immediately falls facedown in reverence.  - P98

The scene reminds us of another divine encounter when Moses saw the burning bush. Joshua receives thesame instruction as Moses: to take off his sandals because he is standing onholy ground. Both Moses and Joshua show their utmost respect, serving asa model for our posture before God.  - P98

We should not only listen and act inaccordance with our covenant commitment but also recognize the perfection and holiness of our God who guides us and fights for us. - P98

Despite my fears, I knew I had to put my trust in God. He wouldguide each of my steps in the place He had sent me.
- P99

In today‘s passage, before entering the promised land, the Israelites taketime to renew their covenant relationship with God through circumcision,
and they celebrate His goodness through the Passover. They rememberthat they are God‘s covenant people, and God is committed to fulfillingHis promises to them. Their role is to listen to His instructions and obeyHim.  - P99

As God provides the produce of the land, it becomes a sign that Hewill continue to guide His people and bless them abundantly in the nextchapter of their journey. - P99

Dear God, thank you for reminding me of the importance of being in a right relationship with You. - P99

May I be aligned with You, putting You first in my heart, and glorifying You for Your perfect holiness. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P99