Observation:
Remember that with observation we are looking for what does the text say. We aren't telling it what it says, but investigating it to discover what is there in the text. We read with a purpose, mark the text and ask questions because it helps us see what is in the text itself.
- Read Joshua 14
- Read Joshua 14 and mark the following words: Joshua, Caleb, Moses, Lord (God), inheritance, command, follow the Lord fully.
- In your journal list everything that you learn about Caleb in Joshua 14.
- Now read Joshua 15:13-19 mark and list everything that you learn about Caleb in that passage.
Interpretation:
In interpretation we are asking ourselves what does the text mean. Remember that CONTEXT is ESSENTIAL in interpretation. Be careful to stay within the context of the chapter and the book of Joshua. In interpretation we will also look at what we can learn in other parts of the Bible about whatever we are studying (we call those cross references) and we look of Greek and Hebrew words (we call that a word study). In interpretation we are not seeking out someone else's interpretation (looking at outside sources), but are digging deeper to see what else the Bible has to say.
Using Blue Letter Bible look up the following words that are used to describe Caleb and write down what you learn about them: follow & fully
Look up the following verses and write down what you learn about Caleb:
- Numbers 13
- Numbers 14
- Judges 1:11-21
- Judges 3:1-11
Application:
Application is the final step we take during Bible Study. It's where we ask a very important question: How does what I have learned in the Bible change my belief or my behavior? In application we are looking for more than head knowledge we are looking for heart knowledge that is lived out in our every day lives.
What did you learn this week about following the Lord fully? Are you following the Lord fully? If not, what is preventing you from doing so? Write out your answers in your journal and take them to the Lord.
Observation:
- Read Joashua 13
- Read Joshua 13 and mark every reference to: Joshua, the land, The Lord, the sons of Israel, Moses, inheritance, command (or commanded), Levi
- Using your journal answer the following questions:
- Who is speaking to whom in Joshua 13?
- What commands are given?
- Go back through and read the chapter again, as it describes each tribe's inheritance write the name of their tribe in the margin.
- Look at the map below and see what each tribe still had to possess.
- Note what side of the Jordan is being referred to (It may help you to mark what side in the text)
- Which tribes are being dealt with first in Joshua 13 (List them in your journal)
- What do you learn about the tribe of Levi in this chapter?
Interpretation:
Compare Joshua 13:1-6 with Joshua 11:16-23. What insight are we given here in regards to taking the land? Remember that God's Word does not contradict itself so there must be a resolution.
Look up the following cross references and write down what you learn further about the tribe of Levi:
- Deuteronomy 18:1-8
- Deuteronomy 17:8-13
- Malachi 2:4-7
Application:
As you read this chapter you will notice that God mentions again people who have been defeated. As the people go in to possess the land that is their inheritance don't you think it was an encouragement to remember the past victories, deliverances or judgements by God? Is there a way you could apply this to your life when you feel overwhelmed or discouraged?
Observation:
- Read Joshua 11 &12
- Read Joshua 11 & 12 and mark every reference to: Joshua, the kings and their people (mark as one), God, Moses, commanded, the land, struck, utterly destroyed
- Using your journal answer the following questions:
- Who comes up against Israel in Chapter 11?
- How are these people described?
- What does the Lord tell Joshua about this battle?
- How does Joshua respond to what God says?
- What is the outcome of this battle?
- How is Joshua described in verse 15?
- What has happened to the hearts of the kings in the land (verse 20)? Why?
- What do we learn in verse 23 about the conquest of the land?
Interpretation:
- What is the importance of Joshua 11:16-12:24? Read through this section and then read Joshua chapter 1. How do these chapters compare?
- Joshua 11:19-20 are important for us to look at further. What is the importance of these verses? What do they tell us?
- Look up the following words using Blue Letter Bible: harden, mercy, (verse 20)
- Read Deuteronomy 20:10-18, what do you learn about how the Children of Israel were told to take the cities. How does this passage connect with Joshua 11:19-20?
- Read Romans 9:15-18, how does this passage connect with Joshua 11:19-20?
- Read Ephesians 2:4-10 and write down what you learn about mercy in this passage.
Application:
How have you seen God be faithful in the book of Joshua? Write down the ways you have seen Him be faithful. Now consider your own life. What ways do you see God being faithful? Write them down in your journal.
If you remember before Spring Break we studied chapter 9 of Joshua where the children of Israel made a covenant with a group of people inside the land. This week we will look at what it means for them to keep that covenant.
Observation:
- Read Joshua 10
- Read Joshua 10 and mark every reference to: Joshua, Gibeonites, the people of Israel, The Lord, 5 Kings of the Amorites, struck, fight (fought)
- Using your journal write down the answers to the following questions:
- Who rose up against the Gibeonites? Why?
- Why did Israel get involved?
- What does the Lord say about this matter?
- How are the Amorites killed?
- What event happens here that makes it like "no day like it before or after"
- What happens to the kings of the Amorites?
- What happens after Joshua kills the kind of the Amorites? What cites are then conquered?
- Why were Joshua and the people able to defeat these cities? (Verse 42)
Interpretation:
- Why did the Israelites get involved when someone rises up against the Gibeonites?
- Read 2 Samuel 21:1-14 and mark every reference to covenant (and oath). What do you learn in this passage about the gravity of making a covenant and not honoring it?
- Read 1 Samuel 20:15-17,23,42 and mark the words agreement and oath (like you did for covenant). Why was Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan spared?
Application:
What have you learned about the gravity of covenant? Why is this lesson important for us? What else did you learn about God this week? How does what you have learned changed what you know to be true and how you live your life?
Observation:
- Read Joshua 9
- Read Joshua 9 and mark every reference to: Joshua, the Gibeonites, the land, covenant (sworn, oath),
- In your journal record the flow of events in Joshua 9.
- Answer the following questions in your journal:
- Where are the Gibeonites from?
- Why do they want to make a convenant with Israel?
- Does Israel consult the Lord in this matter?
- Is Israel hesitant to make a covenant? How come?
- What is the conflict that arises in Joshua 9:16-27 between the people and their leaders? What was the decision?
Interpretation:
A covenant is a solemn binding agreement between two people or parties. A covenant made between two parties brought the parties into a partnership which agreed, among other things, protection from one's enemies. A covenant is not something to be entered into lightly. Once made covenants were only broken by death.
- Read Exodus 23:20-33, Exodus 34:12-16 and Deuteronomy 7:1-2. In your journal write out how these passages connect with our passage in Joshua. (Make sure you note why God says what He does about covenants).
- Do you remember what happened at the end of the last chapter? What had Israel just heard?
Application:
What have you learned this week about the Lord or what it means to follow Him. Write down your thoughts in your journal.
Observation:
- Read Joshua 8
- Read Joshua 8 and mark the following words: Joshua, Ai, God, ambush, commanded, references to time
- In your journal make a list about everything you learn about the word commanded in this chapter.
- What strategy did God give Joshua about the city of Ai? How did the events unfold? Write down your answers in your journal.
Interpretation:
- Using Blue Letter Bible look up the words spoil, plunder, & ambush and write down what you learn in your journal.
- This isn't the first fight against Ai. What is different about this battle compared to the previous one?
- Read Deuteronomy 27 and compare it to the events in this chapter. What does this tell you about Joshua and his leadership? Does it give you any further insight into what happens in Joshua 8:30-35? Write down what you learn in your journal.
Application:
Did you learn anything new about God this week? What did you learn about leadership? Spend a little bit of time writing out what you are learning in Joshua and how it is shaping your view of God.
Last week we saw the walls fall down at Jericho, this week we will talk more about things under the ban.
Observation:
- Read Joshua 7
- Read Joshua 7 and mark the following key words: Joshua, the ban, sin, The Lord, Israel, Achan
- Answer the following questions regarding the text in your journal:
- Where did Israel go after Jericho?
- How did Ai compare to Jericho?
- What happened at Ai?
- What did God tell Joshua about what had happened?
- How did they determine who stole something?
- Why did Achan steal?
- What had Joshua told the people right before they went into Jericho?
- What happened to Achan?
Interpretation:
- What does the phrase under the ban mean? Look it up using Blue Letter Bible and write down the definition in your journal.
- Looking up the following cross references and write down what you learn regarding things under the ban:
- Deuteronomy 7:22-26
- Deuteronomy 13:12-18
- Joshua 22:20
- Read Genesis 3:1-7 and 2 Samuel 11:1-6; 12:9-12 and compare this with what you learned about Achan.
- Do you see any similarities
- Do you think there is a lesson here for us? What?
- According to Ephesians 4:22-32 what are some things forbidden to us today?
- How are we to consecrate ourselves when we have done something forbidden? What does 1 John 1:9 say we need to do?
Application:
Spend some time with the Lord processing and praying through any sin that is in your life. Be honest and take it seriously and allow God to deal with you.
