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

18And the priests came up out...

18And the priests came up out of the river carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord. No sooner had they set their feet on the dry ground than the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and ran at flood stage as before. - P92

20And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. - P92

21He said to the Israelites, "In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’

22tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’

23For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. - P93

24He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God."

1Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.
- P93

The Lord commands Joshua to tell the priests to come up from the Jordan.
As they do, the waters return to their place. The people camp at Gilgal, whereJoshua sets up the stones taken from the Jordan. He explains their meaningto the Israelites. The Amorite and Canaanite kings hear of what happenedand their hearts melt in fear. - P93

The priests stand firm in the middle of the Jordan until every Israelite has crossed safely. Only when God instructs Joshua do the priests step out, and immediately, the waters return. The crossing of the Jordan marks a pivotal transition in the nation’s history. - P94

Gilgal, where they camp after crossing, symbolizes a fresh beginning—a taste of the promise ahead. Though not yet in full possession of the land, they are closer than ever. This account parallels our salvation journey. - P94

Though we have not yet reached our eternal home, we experience a foretaste of it through the Holy Spirit, who assures us that God is with us. - P94

His faithfulness to us every day strengthens our confidence that He will complete the good work He began in us. - P94

The twelve stones set up at Gilgal serve as a lasting reminder of God‘s faith-fulness and power. Just as crossing the Red Sea marked deliverance fromslavery for the first generation, the crossing of the Jordan River assures thenew generation of God‘s continued presence and promises. These divineacts are not only for Israel‘s encouragement but also serve as a declarationto surrounding nations that the Lord is sovereign.  - P94

The fear that falls uponIsrael‘s enemies confirms that Yahweh‘s fame has spread! Our own spiritualmilestones should remind us and testify to others of God‘s greatness.
Every work that God does in our lives is designed both to encourage us andhelp others know Him. - P94

I encourage you to start keeping a record of the moments when God speakslife over you. Write down the Scripture passages, songs, words, and imagesHe uses to bring you comfort and remind you of the truth. Those messageswill become a collection of hope to return to when your heart needs a re-minder of God‘s goodness and faithfulness. - P95

Lord, thank you for the reminders of Your faithfulness in my journey. Help me to remember and recount Your goodness, not just for my own encouragement, but to glorify You and strengthen others. May my life be a monument to Your grace. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P95

6to serve as a sign among you...

6to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’

7tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."

- P88

10Now the priests who carried the ark remained standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything the Lord had commanded Joshua was done by the people, just as Moses had directed Joshua. The people hurried over,

11and as soon as all of them had crossed, the ark of the Lord and the priests came to the other side while the people watched. - P89

10Now the priests who carried the ark remained standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything the Lord had commanded Joshua was done by the people, just as Moses had directed Joshua. The people hurried over,

11and as soon as all of them had crossed, the ark of the Lord and the priests came to the other side while the people watched.

- P89

12The men of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over, ready for battle, in front of the Israelites, as Moses had directed them.

13About forty thousand armed for battle crossed over before the Lord to the plains of Jericho for war.

14That day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they stood in awe of him all the days of his life, just as they had stood in awe of Moses.

- P89

The Lord tells Joshua to have twelve men take twelve stones from the Jordanto set up as a sign to future generations. Joshua sets up twelve stones fromthe middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests stood. That day, theLord exalted Joshua before the people and they stood in awe of him all thedays of his life. - P89

After Israel crosses the Jordan River on dry ground, God instructs Joshua toappoint twelve men, one from each tribe, to collect stones from the river-bed. These stones are to be set up as a memorial to help future generationsremember what God has done.  - P90

God knows our tendency to forget, so Heinvites us to establish markers of remembrance to help us remember actsof divine intervention that strengthen our faith. Remembering God‘s pastfaithfulness strengthens us in the present and fans our hope for the future.
- P90

While we may not build stone memorials today, we can create markers byjournaling or by telling others what God has done - P90

. Anniversaries are alsogreat ways to remind us of what God has done in the past. These remindershelp us and those around us-remember that God is faithful, powerful,
and present. This way, our faith is constantly strengthened, and God isglorified. - P90

Dear Jesus, thank you for being the cornerstone of the church and ourfamily. You are the solid rock on which our faith stands. Help us rememberYour love and care as we go about our day. In Your name, amen. - P91