Joshua | Kyle Weir | 2026


Joshua Introduction | Sunday June 28, 2026

This morning we will be starting a new book study of Joshua. Which will serve as a great continuation of what we have studied recently. In the gospel of John, we had a detailed look at who Jesus is and how we are to believe in Him for eternal life. Then in Leviticus we saw how God’s people are to walk in fellowship with Him. We are called to reflect His holiness in every aspect of our lives. Then in 1, 2, and 3 John, we have seen what an active, abiding walk with Jesus looks like. We are to walk in the light and grow in our love for God and, in turn, our love for others. This is why Joshua fits so well. This book is all about taking possession of all that God has for His people.

Joshua 1:1-6 ESV

(1)  After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant,
(2)  “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.
(3)  Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.
(4)  From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory.
(5)  No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
(6)  Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.

The book of Joshua starts with a huge moment for the nation of Israel. Their earthly leader, Moses, has died. They spent an entire month weeping for Him out of grief in Deuteronomy 34:8. Moses meant so much to them. He was the one who came to them when they were slaves. He was the one who confronted Pharaoh. He put His staff down, and the Red Sea parted, and he had led them for 40 years in the wilderness. I am always amazed how easy it is for us to focus on the person God chooses to work through instead of the God who is actually doing the work.

Israel’s earthly leader, who had led them through so much, died, but in reality, it was always God leading them. God went to Moses at the burning bush. God empowered Moses to confront Pharaoh. It was God who split the Red Sea. God was affirming to His people that He was their true leader. The God whom Moses served was still there and was still going to lead His people. Their journey was not over; they needed to cross over the Jordan and go inherit all the promised land that God had given to them.

Moses had died, but God’s promises lived on. It was time to inherit and take possession of what God promised. God had chosen Joshua, who had been Moses assistant, to become the new earthly leader. This morning we need to look at some background on who Joshua is before we can start looking at the calling God is giving to him. Joshua was born a slave in Egypt. He would have been around 40/45 years old at the time of the exodus. Meaning he was just a baby/child when Moses killed the Egyptian and fled to the wilderness. The book is most likely written by Joshua with some additions by the high priest Eleazar and his son Phinehas. Joshua is first mentioned in Exodus 17 as a general who led Israel in its first battle after the exodus.

Exodus 17:8-16 ESV

(8)  Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim.
(9)  So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”
(10)  So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
(11)  Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.
(12)  But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
(13)  And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.
(14)  Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”
(15)  And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The LORD Is My Banner,
(16)  saying, “A hand upon the throne of the LORD! The LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”

Joshua would have been around 40 as he went out with the Israelites in this first battle. He had seen the plagues in Egypt and walked through the Red Sea on dry ground. Now in the very first battle he is a part of, success is only possible if Moses keeps his hands up. I wonder how long it took Joshua to realize the army's success was directly tied to Moses’s hands and ultimately God giving the victory. God gave Joshua the victory over the Amalekites. Then he specifically wanted Joshua to hear that God was promising to blot out the Amalekites permanently. At Joshua’s first mention, we have this important foreshadowing that God has plans to use Him. Joshua had to learn early on that victory was directly tied to God. No amount of strategy or valiant fighting could overcome God. Joshua’s training and Moses’ mentorship continued from here.

Exodus 24:12-15 ESV

(12)  The LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.”
(13)  So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God.
(14)  And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute, let him go to them.”
(15)  Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain.

Joshua was Moses's assistant and stayed close to him. 70 of Israel’s elders were allowed to approach the mountain but were instructed to not go any farther. Yet, Joshua rose and went up with Moses. It is hard to tell how close Joshua came to the glory of the Lord, which looked like a devouring fire on the mountain. As Moses descended, it was Joshua who first heard the troubling noise from the camp.

Exodus 32:15-19 ESV

(15)  Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets that were written on both sides; on the front and on the back they were written.
(16)  The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.
(17)  When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, “There is a noise of war in the camp.”
(18)  But he said, “It is not the sound of shouting for victory, or the sound of the cry of defeat, but the sound of singing that I hear.”
(19)  And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses' anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain.

Joshua heard the Israelites and thought it was the sound of a war cry. Moses recognized it as singing. Israel had made the golden calf and was throwing a huge party and committing all sorts of immorality as acts of worship to the calf (Ex 32:6). It is important to see that Joshua was not a part of worshipping the golden calf. Instead, he was drawing near to God on the mountain. Joshua would also draw near to God outside the tent of meeting.

Exodus 33:10-11 ESV

(10)  And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door.
(11)  Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

Before the tabernacle was built, Moses would talk with God at the tent of meeting that was outside the camp. Israel stood and worshipped as they saw the pillar of cloud descend onto the tent. Moses had the unique position to talk with God like a friend, as if they were face to face. Do not miss who was leaning against the canvas of the tent eavesdropping on the conversation, Joshua. He desired to be close to God and would not depart from the tent as long as these conversations were happening. He was a rising leader among the people, so it was no surprise when it came time to pick out 12 spies to go into the promised land that Joshua was chosen.

Numbers 13:1-3; 6; 8; 16 ESV

(1)  The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
(2)  “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them.”
(3)  So Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran, according to the command of the LORD, all of them men who were heads of the people of Israel.

(6)  from the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh;

(8)  from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun;

(16)  These were the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun Joshua.

Each of the 12 spies was recognized as a chief, or head, among the people of Israel. Caleb and Joshua being included is remarkable as they were only in their forties. Also notice that Moses changed Joshua’s name from his given name of Hoshea. This is important because Hoshea means “he saves.” Yet Moses changes it to Joshua, which means “The Lord (Yahweh) is salvation.” Moses wanted Joshua to constantly be reminded that he was not the one who could save, but the Lord alone is the one who brings salvation. This is such an important name because it is the same name given to Jesus. The Greek version of Joshua, “The Lord is salvation,” is Jesus.

Matthew 1:21 Hebrew Name Version

(21)  She shall bring forth a son. You shall call His name Yeshua, for it is He who shall save His people from their sins."

Joshua was given the name to remind him that it is the Lord who gives salvation. Jesus is given the name to declare that He is the Lord who will give salvation. It is no accident that Moses, who received the law and represents the law, could not lead the people into the promised land. Yet Joshua, who is given the name “The Lord is salvation,” which points directly to Jesus, leads the people into the promised land and into inheriting what God had for them.

Deuteronomy 1:37-38 ESV

(37)  Even with me the LORD was angry on your account and said, ‘You also shall not go in there.
(38)  Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.

Moses struggled with God’s punishment that he would not be allowed to go into the promised land. Here he blames the Israelites. Their grumbling caused the situation, yet it was Moses’ disobedience at Meribah (Num 20:8-13) by striking the rock to cause it to give water instead of speaking to it that caused him to be restricted from the promised land. Under the law, which Moses represents, just one infraction is enough to condemn. Israel, God’s people, will only be able to enter into the promised land as they are led by Joshua, “The Lord is salvation.”

This has so much application for us today because of what the promised land represents. Despite what so many older songs infer, the promised land does not represent heaven. The promised land is the spirit-filled life. It represents an abiding, close intimacy with God. It is taking ownership and inheriting the promises that God has given to His people. Throughout this study we will expand on this idea. The book of Joshua will serve as an example of how we as God’s people are to take hold of and inherit all that God has for us. This should be important to us as believers because God has given so much to us to inherit and take possession of.

Ephesians 1:3 ESV

(3)  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

We have been given every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Jesus Christ. Just like Israel had been given the promised land. Now comes the very practical question: how do we make these promises ours? This is the very question in front of Joshua. It is a question that each of us as believers face on a daily basis. For instance, we have been promised wisdom.

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 ESV

(30)  And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
(31)  so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Jesus has become our wisdom from God. Jesus, true wisdom, has been given to us. If this was not enough, God is so gracious that He even promises to give us wisdom when we ask for it.

James 1:5 ESV

(5)  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

This means that whenever we need God’s wisdom, we simply have to ask for it. Based on these two promises, no believer should ever lack wisdom. Yet just because we have these promises and have access to wisdom does not mean that we use it.

Galatians 3:1 ESV

(1)  O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.

Like the Galatians, we know that we act foolishly and not in wisdom. This means that we are not inheriting; we are not taking possession of God’s promise to us. Taking possession of His promises will never be done through the flesh or through the law. It can only be done as we walk in unity with the Holy Spirit and live based on His power. Joshua learned this lesson over and over again. From the battle that could only be won if Moses had his hands up to the walls of Jericho. Victory in the promised land comes from walking in God’s power, not our own.

My hope is that as we study Joshua, we would learn as believers how to take possession of and inherit these amazing spiritual blessings and promises that have been given to us. Joshua is a great example for us because he helped lead Israel to take possession of the promised land. There were setbacks along the way and still more to be done after Joshua’s death, yet 6 nations and 31 kings will be conquered throughout the book. Joshua led well and helped Israel take possession of what God had promised.

Joshua 24:31 ESV

(31)  Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work that the LORD did for Israel.

Israel continued to walk with God after Moses’ death and then after Joshua’s death. This is a very rare occurrence of when one generation passed truth on to the next. Unfortunately, we have many more examples in scripture of the next generation turning from walking with God. My hope is that God would teach us in Joshua how to lay hold of and take possession of our spiritual blessings and that He would help us to instill that desire in the next generation.

Joshua 1:1-6 | Sunday July 5, 2026

Last week we began studying the book of Joshua. The book opens with a very dramatic scene. Moses, the servant of God, has died, and Joshua has been declared the new leader. Israel is encamped at the plains of Moab (Deut 34:1). The problem with this is that the promised land and the fortified city of Jericho lie on the other side of the Jordan River that is currently at its flood stage (Josh 3:15). The new leader, Joshua, has an immediate crisis to deal with. A raging river stands between him and what he was called to inherit, and it is yet to be seen if the Israelites will follow him at all. The Israelites could stay and wait to see if the river would go down. They could continue to mourn Moses. They could set up cities in the plains of Moab or even turn back to Egypt. With Moses’ death, some might have been doubting if the promised land was still promised. In all this uncertainty, God is so gracious to speak to Joshua and encourage him with truth and lead him with clear direction.

Joshua 1:1-6 ESV

(1)  After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant,
(2)  “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.
(3)  Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.
(4)  From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory.
(5)  No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
(6)  Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.

God is letting Joshua know that His truth and His promises are immortal. The promises of the promised land did not die with Moses. God is still faithfully leading His people, and it is time for them to arise and go over the Jordan into the promised land. It is not time to wait or turn back but to arise and inherit. God’s simple command could have seemed utterly impossible. Israel had been on the edge of the promised land before and failed to enter it. And that time they had Moses, and there was not a raging river in the way. Joshua would have known all of this as He was directly involved. Memories of their failure would have been lingering for Joshua. It is really important to understand what caused Israel to fail to enter the promised land the first time so that we do not make the same mistakes they did. Understanding their failure will also help us to see what needs to change for them to succeed this time, with even more going against them.

Numbers 13:1-2; 17-20 ESV

(1)  The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
(2)  “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them.”

(17)  Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them, “Go up into the Negeb and go up into the hill country,
(18)  and see what the land is, and whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many,
(19)  and whether the land that they dwell in is good or bad, and whether the cities that they dwell in are camps or strongholds,
(20)  and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land.” Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes.

Both Joshua and Caleb were chosen to spy out the land along with 10 other men, all of whom were leaders among the people of Israel. They were to investigate and see if the land flowing with milk and honey actually lived up to its name. In reality, they were to go see whether what God had claimed was true or not. They were also to see what would be involved in conquering the promised land. The spies were to find out if there were fortresses with strong warriors or if it was a ghost town with small unprotected villages.

Numbers 13:21-23; 27 ESV

(21)  So they went up and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, near Lebo-hamath.
(22)  They went up into the Negeb and came to Hebron. Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, were there. (Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
(23)  And they came to the Valley of Eshcol and cut down from there a branch with a single cluster of grapes, and they carried it on a pole between two of them; they also brought some pomegranates and figs.

(27)  And they told him, “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.

The spies went directly through the middle of the promised land. They spent 40 days visiting cities and being amazed at the land. They gathered samples of the amazing pomegranates and figs. They even cut down a single cluster of grapes that was so big that they carried it on a pole between two men. When they came back, they fully confirmed that the land was as great as God had claimed it would be. God’s word was proven true. Look at how God described the promised land years later.

Ezekiel 20:6 ESV

(6)  On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most glorious of all lands.

God describes the promised land as the most glorious of all lands. It is hard to fathom how incredible the promised land must have been. Flowing with milk means that livestock were plentiful and healthy. Flowing with honey means the bees, the pollinators, were abundant, which implies the crops and produce were bountiful as well. The spies just confirmed all that God had promised was true.

Numbers 13:28-29 ESV

(28)  However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there.
(29)  The Amalekites dwell in the land of the Negeb. The Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the hill country. And the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and along the Jordan.”

It is truly sad that these verses are introduced with however. This shows the doubt and fear that have already crept in. The spies give an account of all the mighty people who live in the land. The cities are fortified, and the people are strong. This report could have been summarized simply by referring to Genesis 15.

Genesis 15:18-21 ESV

(18)  On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates,
(19)  the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites,
(20)  the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim,
(21)  the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites.”

The spies could have simply said that the land has the exact people God said it would. The land was as great as God claimed, and it was filled with the exact people God promised it would have in it. Instead of seeing the inhabitants as confirmation of God’s word, most of the spies began to doubt and be full of fear. The earthly challenges dominated their thinking instead of the amazing God who made truthful promises.

Numbers 13:31; 14:3 ESV

(31)  Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.”

(14:3)  Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?”

They doubted their own strength, and they doubted what God was doing. They did not trust in His love and goodness to them. They would rather be slaves in Egypt and even start to look for a leader to take them back. They could not move past the fact that the inhabitants were stronger than the Israelites. The amazing thing is Caleb and Joshua would not disagree with this fact. Their confidence was not in their own strength or military might but in the God who promised.

Numbers 14:6-9 ESV

(6)  And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes
(7)  and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land.
(8)  If the LORD delights in us, He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey.
(9)  Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.”

Caleb is willing to speak up and tries to bring the people back to truth. For Caleb, God’s Word had been confirmed. So why would God’s Word that they would be victorious fail? He knew that with God on their side, their enemies would be like bread to them. The other 10 spies refused to have an eternal perspective. So often we can get focused on the details and facts of a situation and completely ignore processing the situation through the lens of the Word of God. All 12 spies saw the same people. Only 2 filtered this through the truth of God. How do God’s people who are thinking earthly respond when they are challenged to think spiritually and to trust in God?

Numbers 14:10 ESV

(10)  Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones. But the glory of the LORD appeared at the tent of meeting to all the people of Israel.

They wanted to stone Caleb, and Joshua. Not only did they refuse to accept truth and trust in God but they were willing to kill anyone who attempted to trust Him. Worldly believers can be such a hindrance to the Spirit filled life. God disciplined that generation so that they could not enter the promised land.

Numbers 32:11-12 ESV

(11)  ‘Surely none of the men who came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, because they have not wholly followed me,
(12) none except Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua the son of Nun, for they have wholly followed the LORD.’

The adults who had a say, those who were 20 and older, were held responsible for the rebellion. The Levites were not disciplined because they did not send a spy and had no land inheritance in the promised land (Num 1:49 & 14:29). Caleb and Joshua wholly followed the Lord and were assured that they would enter into the promised land. The true nature of this rebellion and Israel's failure to enter the promised land is perfectly explained in Hebrews 3.

Hebrews 3:11-12; 16; 19 ESV

(11)  As I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’”
(12)  Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.

(16)  For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses?
(19)  So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

God’s people who left Egypt and were covered by the Passover lamb fell away from the living God. They were unable to enter the promised land due to their unbelief. This is not the belief for salvation but is the belief or trust needed to grow and mature with God. It is the belief of taking God at His Word and believing He will do what He claimed. Caleb and Joshua believed God would give the victory; the others had an unbelieving heart. As believers, we can have an unbelieving heart. Verse 12 is the application written to the brothers, believers in Jesus. We can choose not to trust in God’s promises and in His character. Whenever we do this, we fall away from and lose our rest and contentment in Him.

So as Joshua stands outside the promised land for the second time, God takes time to encourage him, to believe. God brings Joshua back to His truth and His promises. Trusting, believing God, is what will make the difference between failure and success.

Joshua 1:3-6; 9ESV

(3)  Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.
(4)  From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory.
(5)  No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
(6)  Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.

(9)  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

God promises never to leave nor forsake Joshua and His people. The word for leave also means to fail, be weak, grow slack, or be inactive. God is renewing His promise that He will never be weak or inactive and fail Israel or Joshua. Notice that Joshua is not told to gather his own strength and grit his teeth in determination. It is not a matter of how positive of a thinker Joshua is. Joshua is to find courage and strength in the promise that God will be with them. Joshua’s strength is to come from God and His presence. This is the same promise that God has called so many throughout the word to find comfort in and trust in.

In Genesis 26:2-3, God told Isaac, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you.” Isaac had a choice between trusting in the help that Egypt could provide or resting in God’s presence.

In Genesis 31:3 God called Jacob to “return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.” Jacob was to trust in His presence and return to the land of His fathers even with the potential danger looming of going back to where Esau was.

In Exodus 3:12, when Moses doubted how he could ever confront Pharaoh, God responded with the truth, “But I will be with you.” Then in

Judges 6:16 Gideon wonders how He could ever help Israel win a battle against the Midianites, and God responds with this same truth: “But I will be with you.” The difficulties and the trials of each situation are different, yet God's reminder of truth to rest and trust that He would be with His people is consistent. We need to know that God has called us as believers to trust and rest in this same promise.

Hebrews 13:5-8 ESV

(5)  Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
(6)  So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
(7)  Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
(8)  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

There is nothing more important than for God’s people to hear the truth that God promises to be with us in the middle of whatever difficult circumstance we might find ourselves in. The Spirit-filled life is found as we trust God, finding our strength and encouragement in the truth that God is with us and can be trusted. We are not trusting in a certain outcome but in the good God who promised to be with us.

Joshua 1:7-15 | Sunday July 12, 2026

At the beginning of the book of Joshua, God’s people are at the edge of the promised land for the second time. 40 years before this moment, Israel tried to enter the promised land and failed. Hebrews 3:19 makes it clear that Israel’s core sin was the reason “they were unable to enter because of unbelief.” God’s people who had gone out that morning and collected the manna that God had given for food did not trust that God would be able to give them the land. That generation was judged for their unbelief. Now Joshua’s first instruction as Israel’s new earthly leader is to arise and go inherit the land God wants to give them. Joshua and the people will have to believe, to trust, that God will be with them and give them the victory. God knows our weaknesses and doubts and encourages Joshua three times to be strong and courageous.

Joshua 1:5-9 ESV

(5)  No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
(6)  Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.
(7)  Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses My servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
(8)  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
(9)  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua is called to be strong and courageous in the fact that God has promised to be with him. Joshua is not being called to strategize or rely on himself but to anchor into God’s presence. Both of these words, "strong" and "courageous," carry the idea of making firm, hardening, or strengthening. Joshua is called to harden and firm into the idea that God will be with him. This is not the first time that Joshua has been encouraged with this truth. God instructs Moses in Deuteronomy 1:38 and 3:28 to encourage Joshua and to strengthen him in the role of helping Israel inherit the promised land. Moses is obedient to God’s command.

Deuteronomy 31:7-8 ESV

(7)  Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it.
(8)  It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Moses encourages Joshua to be strong and courageous. The entire nation hears this. After all the years of leadership, Moses had firsthand knowledge that strength and courage came from God’s presence and not from self. Moses knew how important this message was. Then God goes even a step farther from having Moses encourage Joshua, and God encourages Joshua Himself.

Deuteronomy 31:23 ESV

(23)  And the LORD commissioned Joshua the son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to give them. I will be with you.”

It is important to understand that all of these encouragements by Moses and God to be strong and courageous are the context behind Joshua 1 and its three more encouragements to be strong and courageous. I find so much hope in this. God graciously knows who we are and how prone we are to fear, discouragement, doubt, and self-reliance. God is willing to repeat Himself multiple times. God knows that this is not a lesson that Joshua will be able to learn overnight and that Joshua will need regular reminders of this amazing truth. Joshua is to rest and become strengthened or hardened into the fact that God will be with him. It is a truth that seems too simple and yet will take us a lifetime to grow into. David is a great example of this.

Psalm 54:1-4 ESV

(1)  To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, “Is not David hiding among us?” O God, save me by Your name, and vindicate me by Your might.
(2)  O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.
(3)  For strangers have risen against me; ruthless men seek my life; they do not set God before themselves. Selah
(4)  Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.

1 Samuel 23:15-29 tells us the background of this Psalm. David was hiding in the mountains, and the Ziphites told Saul exactly where he was. In this exposed, dangerous situation, David wrote Psalm 54. He came back to the truth that his life was in God’s hands. God was David’s helper and the one who held up David’s life.

The situation comes to a very dramatic moment with Saul on one side of the mountain and David on the other. God used a raid from the Philistines to distract Saul and protect David. It was an amazing moment for David to see God’s protection. God had reaffirmed that He was with David. This is what can make the events of 1 Samuel 27 confusing.

1 Samuel 27:1 ESV

(1)  Then David said in his heart, “Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will despair of seeking me any longer within the borders of Israel, and I shall escape out of his hand.”

Instead of relying on the truth that he knew in Psalm 54, David relied on his own thinking. This shows how many reminders and encouragements to rely on God’s truth we need. David had watched God protect him time and time again, and yet relying on his flesh and letting his fear and doubts take over was always available to him. This is why God encourages Joshua so many times. It is why He encourages us in His word so many times. We need to constantly remind ourselves of God’s truth and anchor to it. Remaining in God’s word is what will help Joshua be strong and courageous.

Joshua 1:7-8 ESV

(7)  Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses My servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
(8)  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Joshua would have had the first 5 books of the Old Testament that Moses had finished writing. He was currently living in the 6th book. God wanted Joshua to do 3 main things concerning the Word. First, it was not to “depart from your mouth,” meaning Joshua was to talk about the truth. God’s Word was to be a regular part of everyday conversation.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 ESV

(6)  And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
(7)  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

We are to talk about God’s Word when we have downtime with friends or family and everywhere else we go. God’s Word is to be a normal part of life. Talking about God’s truth does not have to be a formally planned thing. Our children are to see our heart for God and His Word by how everyday normal things are discussed through it. The Word is not supposed to be something that we engage with once or twice a week and never talk about again. God desires for His truth to be involved in each aspect of our lives. To talk about the Word, Joshua would need to follow God’s second command to “meditate on it day and night.”

Psalm 77:11-12 ESV

(11)  I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old.
(12)  I will ponder all Your work, and meditate on Your mighty deeds.

We have to know the Word to talk about it. Meditation is more than reading scripture. It is similar to the difference between eating food and then letting our bodies digest that food. Eating a nice meal takes about an hour, then our bodies start to digest and get all the nutrients that they can. The digestion can take anywhere from 14 to 58 hours, with the average person digesting food in about 28 hours. In the same way, intaking scripture can be done very fast, but meditating on it is a slow process that must take time. It is remembering what God has done and pondering how He has worked. If we just hear scripture and then never meditate on it, that would be like chewing up our food and then spitting it out and never letting our bodies digest it. We would get weak very quickly, and so often this is what happens in our walk with God. Just like we need digested food daily for our physical body, our spiritual life needs to meditate on truth on a regular basis. Meditating on the Word is not the last step.

Joshua 1:8 ESV

(8)  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

We are to meditate on the word so that we can be obedient to it. Joshua will have success and prosper in the promised land if he is obedient to the Word. This should make absolute sense; it is God’s promised land, and His Word describes how to live in it. Likewise, as believers, we will enjoy the Spirit-filled life as we walk in obedience to the Word of God. Our rest is found in living in His Word.

Hebrews 4:9-13 ESV

(9)  So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God,
(10) for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from His.
(11)  Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
(12)  For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
(13)  And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

As believers, we can enjoy resting in God because of all that Jesus has accomplished. We are called to strive to enter that rest. This shows how hard it is for us to trust and rest in His finished work. Next, God explains to us how amazing His Word truly is. His Word can separate out our motives and what is going on in our hearts. Successfully living the spirit-filled life is not found in a new strategy or new curriculum but is found in the Word of God. Joshua’s success will be tied to how closely he talks about, meditates on, and is obedient to the Word. So, after all this encouragement, Joshua obediently takes the next step and starts to get Israel ready to cross the Jordan River and enter the promised land.

Joshua 1:10-15 ESV

(10)  And Joshua commanded the officers of the people,
(11)  “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’”
(12)  And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh Joshua said,
(13)  “Remember the word that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, ‘The LORD your God is providing you a place of rest and will give you this land.’
(14)  Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but all the men of valor among you shall pass over armed before your brothers and shall help them,
(15)  until the LORD gives rest to your brothers as he has to you, and they also take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and shall possess it, the land that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.”

One of the first things the people have to do is prepare provisions for the journey in the promised land. This is something the people have not done in 40 years, as there has been a daily supply of manna. We will see in chapter 5 when and why these provisions will be needed. Secondly, Joshua has to deal with the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh. Back in Numbers 32, they had made a deal with Moses that Joshua needed them to honor.

Numbers 32:1; 5 ESV

(1)  Now the people of Reuben and the people of Gad had a very great number of livestock. And they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, and behold, the place was a place for livestock.

(5)  And they said, “If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants for a possession. Do not take us across the Jordan.”

The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, who join in later, had no interest in crossing the Jordan River and going into the promised land.

They thought practically and saw land that would be great for their livestock. They approached Moses with the idea of making this land their inheritance. The giant problem was it was on the wrong side of the Jordan. Eventually that land would have been included in the promised land, but it was not what God had for them at that time. This pained Moses as His greatest desire, which He pleaded with God about many times (Deut 3:23-26), was to enter into the promised land, and here were 2 and ½ tribes that did not care about it. Moses lets them know they have made a huge mistake.

Numbers 32:6-9; 14 ESV

(6)  But Moses said to the people of Gad and to the people of Reuben, “Shall your brothers go to the war while you sit here?
(7)  Why will you discourage the heart of the people of Israel from going over into the land that the LORD has given them?
(8)  Your fathers did this, when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land.
(9)  For when they went up to the Valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the people of Israel from going into the land that the LORD had given them.

(14)  And behold, you have risen in your fathers' place, a brood of sinful men, to increase still more the fierce anger of the LORD against Israel!

These tribes were content not to be a part of what God was doing, and they would have been a discouragement to the entire nation. They were repeating the same mistakes that their fathers had when they failed to enter. This was not a good decision. These tribes are called a brood of sinful men. Even after 40 years of wandering in the desert, these tribes did not think walking in what God had for them was a big deal. All they could see was land for their livestock. God’s people were focused on earthly things instead of what was eternal. This decision did not benefit these tribes eventually. Jesus traveled to these tribes during His life, and they were raising pigs (Mat 8:28; 31). Pigs should have been viewed as incredibly unclean to a Jewish community, and yet on the wrong side of the Jordan, it had become part of life. Moses was clear that it was wrong for them to want their inheritance there, but God would allow it. God does not force us to walk close with Him. If these tribes were willing to miss out on what God had for them, He would let them.

Psalm 32:8-9 NKJV

(8)  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.
(9)  Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you.

We can be like a horse or mule and be proud and stubborn. God will use a bit to direct us, but we will miss out on so much that He has for us. Or we can be led with His eye, as He looks on us and shows us our next step that we can only see because we are looking to Him. Now these tribes respond well to Joshua and are willing to go fight with the rest of Israel, but their lack of belief cost them so much.

Joshua 1:16-2:11 | Sunday July 19, 2026

The book of Joshua opens at a critical moment in Israel's history where things could have gone sideways very quickly. We have seen throughout Chapter 1 the time and care God took to encourage Joshua. Moses is gone, but they still have God’s promises, God’s presence, and God’s Word, and they are still God’s people. It is time to arise and go over the Jordan to inherit the promised land. Joshua has every intention of entering the promised land. Joshua’s first few decisions show how careful he is not to have another rebellion of unbelief like what happened 40 years before at Kadesh-barnea. The first step is to remind the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh of their promise to remain unified with the other tribes and join in with the conquest of the promised land.

Joshua 1:12-18 ESV

(12)  And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh Joshua said,
(13)  “Remember the word that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, ‘The LORD your God is providing you a place of rest and will give you this land.’
(14)  Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but all the men of valor among you shall pass over armed before your brothers and shall help them,
(15)  until the LORD gives rest to your brothers as He has to you, and they also take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and shall possess it, the land that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.”
(16)  And they answered Joshua, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.
(17)  Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses!
(18)  Whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.”

Last week we saw the earthly focus of these two and a half tribes and their desire to not enter into the promised land. Moses called them “a brood of sinful men” (Num 32:14). Both Moses and Joshua understood the danger of these tribes's request and knew if not handled correctly fear and discouragement could spread out to the other tribes as well. The desire not to have their inheritance be across the Jordan was wrong. Yet, the two and a half tribes respond well to Joshua and are willing to stay faithful to their promise. They are willing to join with the other tribes in a unity and fight in the promised land. Then, surprisingly, they take time to encourage Joshua. The very tribes that Joshua was unsure if they would respect His authority remind Him that success will be found in God’s presence. They encourage Joshua to be strong and courageous. Instead of discouragement spreading among the tribes, encouragement based on God’s truth is shared. We have been called to do the same thing for each other within the church.

Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV

(23)  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
(24)  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
(25)  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Within the church, we are called to hold fast, take into possession, occupy, and lay claim to the hope that we have through Jesus Christ. We have access to God through the blood of Jesus (Heb 10:19). We can make that promise ours because God is faithful and will not change His promises. Then we are to encourage one another and help each other hold fast to this promise. We are to stir up, provoke, and irritate each other into love and good works. We are called to care for each other’s spiritual walk and aim to help each other continue to lay hold of what Christ has for us. Notice that we need to meet with each other in order to encourage one another. The problem of not meeting is not solved by simply getting together. We are called to care for each other and encourage each other when we do meet. The point is not just getting together but also stirring each other up and encouraging one another in our walks with Jesus.

Joshua was calling on these two and a half tribes to encourage the other tribes and collectively walk in what God had for them. Everyone was lifted as a unit as they took hold of God’s promises. The same is to happen within the body of Christ. Now, with the risk of the 2 ½ tribes alleviated, Joshua then turns his attention to the next issue that could spark another Kadesh-barnea: how to spy out the land.

Joshua 2:1 ESV

(1)  And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there.

Joshua had been one of the 12 spies that had gone through the land 40 years ago. At that time, 10 walked in an unbelief and fear while 2 trusted God. So this time he only sends 2. Last time the report of the spies caused a panic and fear within the camp, so this time Joshua sends them secretly. This indicates that Joshua does not tell Israel that spies have been sent out. Joshua is taking every practical step he can to avoid discouragement and unbelief from infecting Israel. These spies are meant to provide reconnaissance on Jericho, as it is time to start conquering. Jericho was five miles west of the Jordan River and was strategically placed as it served as a major passageway between the Jordan Valley and the central hill country. Due to its good location and spring-fed water supply, it is one of the oldest cities in this part of the world.

These spies try to infiltrate the city unnoticed and go to a prostitute's house where men coming and going would not be unusual. The language emphasizes that the spies simply lodged in Rahab’s house to alleviate any concerns of immorality. Yet even with this detail, there are many parts of the story that can make us uncomfortable. Throughout the years, Jewish tradition and many others have tried to make Rahab into an innkeeper and not a prostitute. Yet, the New Testament references of Rahab (Heb 11:31; James 2:25) describe her as a prostitute and take away any option to change her profession. Unfortunately, the spies plan did not work. Although they had slipped away from Israel secretly, they were quickly noticed even at Rahab’s.

Joshua 2:2-3 ESV

(2)  And it was told to the king of Jericho, “Behold, men of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land.”
(3)  Then the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.”

Not only were the spies noticed coming into the city, but their exact location is known immediately. At this time Canaan was not a unified region, and each area would have had its own king or leader. The King of Jericho sends messengers to Rahab and demands she hand over the spies. If we did not know the story, we would have every expectation for this immoral Canaanite woman to gladly turn over the spies and eagerly receive whatever reward she could get from finding them. Yet shockingly that does not happen.

Joshua 2:4-7 ESV

(4)  But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. And she said, “True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.
(5)  And when the gate was about to be closed at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.”
(6)  But she had brought them up to the roof and hid them with the stalks of flax that she had laid in order on the roof.
(7)  So the men pursued after them on the way to the Jordan as far as the fords. And the gate was shut as soon as the pursuers had gone out.

Rahab hid the spies and concocted a great story, weaving pieces of truth with outright lies to send the soldiers in the wrong direction. She admits that the men came to her yet lies about where they were. Instead of turning the spies over, she hid them in the stalks of flax that were drying on her roof. When the Jordan River was flooded, it was also harvest time. Flax would be soaked in water and then dried in the sun so that it could be used to make cloth. If the spies had come in any other time of the year, this hiding spot would not have existed.

The very timing that made the Jordan River difficult to pass was the timing that helped save the spies lives. It would have been easy for Joshua to question why God led them to the Jordan River during its flood stage. The very trial that stood before Israel became the means for God to show them His grace.

John 1:16 Wuest Expanded New Testament

(16)  for out of His fulness as a source we all received, and grace in exchange for grace.

God is so faithful to us and works out His purpose in our lives in so many ways, yet we can tend to entirely overlook how He is at work. God keeps His grace fresh in our lives. Each situation we face, He provides grace for that moment, often in ways we did not expect. Then when the next situation arises, He provides grace for that moment. His grace is constantly being exchanged and replaced with new, fresh grace in our lives. This entire story is filled with too many coincidences to ignore. From the timing of the flax being on the roof to the spies meeting Rahab in the first place. How many Canaanite prostitutes in Jericho desired to worship the true God? Are we expected to believe the spies just happened to meet Rahab?

Isaiah 46:8-10 ESV

(8)  “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors,
(9)  remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me,
(10)  declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose,’

Only God knows the ancient times and the future all at once. We are called to remember this truth and stand firm in who God actually is. He is all-powerful, and all-loving, and good. He will accomplish His purpose in our lives. We can trust a God who is this powerful and this intimate with our lives that He even knows when it is time for the flax harvest. We are to stand firm in this truth and recall it to mind.

Verse 7 leaves us with a cliffhanger. Rahab the prostitute has hidden the spies, but the gate is shut now, and we do not know how the spies will make it out of the city. We also have not been told why Rahab just hid them. At this point everyone wants to know whether Rahab was justified in her lie or not. Scripture clearly calls lying a sin and part of our old life (Prov 12:22-23; Col 3:9-10). Scripture also has the example where deception is encouraged for safety (1 Sam 16:1-3). God tells Samuel to use a cover story to protect himself from Saul. Yet these principles are not what this story is about. The focus is not on if Rahab the prostitute lied but on the amazing truth she is about to declare.

Joshua 2:8-11 Legacy Standard Bible

(8)  Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof
(9)  and said to the men, “I know that Yahweh has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you.
(10)  For we have heard how Yahweh dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction.
(11)  Indeed we heard it, and our hearts melted, and a courageous spirit no longer rose up in any man because of you; for Yahweh your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.

Rahab explains what has been on her heart and why she was willing to save these spies and risk her own life in the process. She shares what she knows to be true. This is in comparison to the lies that she did not know where the spies are from or where they went. She knows that the Lord has given Israel the promised land, her home. She has heard what happened in Egypt 40 years ago and believes that God really did split the Red Sea. She heard about the more recent battle in Numbers 21, where Israel defeated Sihon and Og. The people of Canaan were talking about this nation that kept wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. They had plenty of time to respond if they wanted to. Rahab watched as her ancient, well-fortified city trembled in fear at Israel. The Canaanites had no spirit in them, and their hearts melted. As Rahab watched all of this, she chose to respond in faith. She concluded that the God of Israel must be the true God in the heavens above. She trusted that He was more powerful than Baal, and she was willing to risk her life trusting in the God of Israel. Her speech shows how much work God had been doing in Rahab’s heart long before the spies ever showed up. Rahab had reached the very conclusion God desired for Israel to reach.

Deuteronomy 4:37-40 ESV

(37)  And because He loved your fathers and chose their offspring after them and brought you out of Egypt with His own presence, by His great power,
(38)  driving out before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in, to give you their land for an inheritance, as it is this day,
(39)  know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.
(40)  Therefore you shall keep His statutes and His commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for all time.”

God desired for Israel to see His mighty works and to know that He was God and there was no other. They were to respond in worship and obedience.

Time and time again God revealed His amazing power and tender goodness to Israel. He desired for them to walk in fellowship with Him. Instead of Israel proclaiming these truths, it is a pagan Canaanite prostitute declaring truthfully who God is. Rahab responded in faith to the true God.

Hebrews 11:29-32 ESV

(29)  By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.
(30)  By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.
(31)  By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
(32)  And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—

More is said about Rahab in the faith chapter of Hebrews 11 than of David. This chapter is easily misunderstood, and often the great strength and ability of the people mentioned is emphasized. Instead, this chapter is about what faith can do, not what people can do. Faith is not a warm, cozy feeling about God. It is hearing the truth about God and then responding to it. Rahab responded to the truth that she knew, and God kept pursuing her. She didn’t know the law and how God defined morality. Her lifestyle was definitely not cleaned up before God used her. Everyone tries to clean Rahab up because, on some level, we are uncomfortable with God using someone so sinful. She came as a sinner just as we all do. She heard the truth about God and responded. Rahab is commended for her faith. God not only used her to protect the spies; He made her a part of His people and had her be a part of the family line of King David, King Solomon, and Jesus.

Matthew 1:1; 5-6 ESV

(1)  The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

(5)  and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, (6)  and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah,

What an amazing picture of God’s never-ending grace to us. Our sinfulness and dirtiness do not keep Him from reaching out to us. Instead, it proves that we are all truly saved by His amazing Grace.

1 Timothy 1:15-16 ESV

(15)  The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
(16)  But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life.

Joshua 2:12-21 | Sunday July 26, 2026

As Israel is on the edge of entering the Promised Land, Joshua has done everything he can to make sure another Kadesh Barnea does not happen. Instead of 12 spies being sent publicly, only 2 spies were sent secretly, apparently with a plan of blending in by going to a prostitute’s house. Even with Joshua’s great strategy, the most important thing is that God providentially protected and guided these 2 spies. What Joshua and the spies had no idea about was that God had been preparing Rahab the prostitute’s heart. Rahab had heard about the God of Israel and what He had done to Egypt and other kings in the area. Rahab responded in faith and trusted that God’s Word of giving Israel the Promised Land would actually happen. No amount of planning or strategy can accomplish what God working in someone’s heart can. The spies are immediately recognized as they enter Jericho, and their exact location is known. Yet, God had been working in Rahab, and God providentially directed the spies and Rahab together. She was able to hide the spies in flax that God providentially arranged to be up on the roof, and she sent the soldiers in the wrong direction. The providence of God is His hand inside the glove of human events. God is actively at work in these circumstances. After saving the spies lives, Rahab shares with them how God had been preparing her heart for this exact moment.

Joshua 2:8-13 Legacy Standard Bible

(8)  Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof
(9)  and said to the men, “I know that Yahweh has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you.
(10)  “For we have heard how Yahweh dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction.
(11)  “Indeed we heard it, and our hearts melted, and a courageous spirit no longer rose up in any man because of you; for Yahweh your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.
(12)  “So now, please swear to me by Yahweh, since I have shown lovingkindness to you, that you also will show lovingkindness to my father’s household and give me a pledge of truth,
(13)  and preserve my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters alive, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.”

Rahab knows that the God of Israel is the one true God. There is none other like Him anywhere in heaven or on earth. Notice that Rahab asks the spies to swear to her by Yahweh, by the God of Israel. She does not want them to swear by Baal or Asherah, because at this point she believes that the God of Israel is the true God. We are not told how Rahab heard about the events of the Exodus or the other battles, only that she has.

Romans 10:14 ESV

(14)  How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

Paul says that we cannot believe in something that we have never heard of. I am constantly amazed at what God uses to share His truth. At some point, Rahab heard about the God of Israel. As far as we know, God did not send someone like Jonah or a prophet. Yet, God brought His truth to Rahab and worked on her heart as she responded to Him. She heard the truth about God and responded in faith. She is placing her life and the lives of all her family members into the hands of the God of Israel.

Joshua 2:12-14 LSB

(12)  “So now, please swear to me by Yahweh, since I have shown lovingkindness to you, that you also will show lovingkindness to my father’s household and give me a pledge of truth,
(13)  and preserve my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters alive, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.”
(14)  So the men said to her, “Our life for yours if you do not tell this business of ours; and it will be when Yahweh gives us the land that we will show lovingkindness and truth to you.”

Rahab has shown lovingkindness to the spies, and she is asking for it in response. The spies promise that as long as she continues to protect them, then they will show her lovingkindness. What is amazing is that Rahab uses the word Hesed, which conveys a covenant loyalty. It is not just love or kindness but a dependable, committed love that is based on a promise. She is not requesting this based on the people of Israel and their military might but is trusting in their God. She believes that Israel, through God’s strength, will destroy Jericho, and she is acting in response to her belief. Rahab and the spies have entered into a covenant. They are trusting each other for safety.

Joshua 2:15-16 ESV

(15)  Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was built into the city wall, so that she lived in the wall.
(16)  And she said to them, “Go into the hills, or the pursuers will encounter you, and hide there three days until the pursuers have returned. Then afterward you may go your way.”

Rahab is faithful to her promise by helping the spies get out of town safely, and she instructs them on how to avoid the pursuers. Now the spies will need to be faithful to their promise. Helping the spies flee to safety is a huge moment for Rahab’s faith.

To understand why sending the spies away safely is so important in Rahab’s life, first we need to see that Hebrews emphasized Rahab’s warm welcome of the spies as a result of her faith.

Hebrews 11:31 ESV

(31)  By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

Rahab believed God and received the spies based on her belief. She welcomed the spies into her house because of their God. Her faith did not stop at this warm reception. James points out that Rahab helping the spies flee to safety was a pivotal moment in her growth. Her faith led to action.

James 2:14-17 NKJV

(14)  What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
(15)  If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
(16)  and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
(17)  Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

This passage can be easily misunderstood if we are not careful to realize that James uses terms like "save" and "justified" in a very different way than other parts of scripture, especially Paul. James is not referring to heaven or hell salvation when he asks, "Can faith save?" We can be saved from many things, including cold, hunger, or, like Rahab, being saved out of Jericho. James is focused on the practical benefits of our faith. How does our faith practically help the cold, hungry beggar if we do not provide for them coats and food? Faith without works is dead, meaning it is not active or doing anything.

James 2:18-20 ESV

(18)  But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
(19)  You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
(20)  Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?

Faith cannot be seen by the human eye without works. James wants to show his faith through his actions. The demons know that there is one God, just as any Jew does and just as every Muslim knows. This verse is too often mistaken to be about heaven and hell salvation when James is careful to define what specific belief He is referencing. Believing in one God. Yet this belief in one God does not amount to much. Faith apart from works is useless, idle, lazy, unproductive, and worthless.

To prove his point of how practically useless and unproductive faith without work is, James will use two examples from the Old Testament.

James 2:21-24 ESV

(21)  Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
(22)  You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;
(23)  and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.
(24)  You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

If we lose sight of James argument, then this passage seems to directly contradict Romans 4.

Romans 4:2-5 ESV

(2)  For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
(3)  For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”
(4)  Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.
(5)  And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

Paul is focused on the initial moment of belief for Abraham. He is describing the heaven or hell moment of salvation when Abraham believed in God and was declared righteous. This was not accomplished through works. James, on the other hand, is referring to an entirely different moment in Abraham’s life, years later, when he was willing to offer Isaac on the altar in obedience to God. This was the moment that Abraham’s faith was completed, fulfilled, perfected, and brought to maturity. Abraham’s faith grew, and he was shown to be righteous when he was willing to walk in obedience to God. James uses the term justified in the sense that something is shown to be righteous. This is the same way it is used in Luke.

Luke 7:29 NAS95

(29)  When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they acknowledged God's justice, having been baptized with the baptism of John.

This is the same word justified. Paul uses it to describe being declared righteous in the heaven and hell sense. James and Luke use it in the sense of showing something to be righteous. Abraham’s works showed on the outside what was true on the inside, and these works had tremendous practical benefits. This is easier to see with James’ second example.

James 2:25-26 ESV

(25)  And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
(26)  For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

James is not referring to Rahab’s heaven or hell moment of conversion. Rahab believed the God of Israel. Yet, if Rahab did not act on this belief, then physically she could have died in the battle of Jericho. Her faith would have been useless and unproductive. Rahab was shown to be righteous when she was willing to send the spies out another way. Her belief grew and matured as she was willing to act based on her faith. This was not mere words to Rahab; her belief was reflected in her actions. James's entire point is how important it is for us as believers to have works that reflect our faith. He is not contradicting Paul and teaching a different gospel but is showing how important it is for us to act on the truth we believe.

Titus 3:4-8 ESV

(4)  But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
(5)  He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
(6)  whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
(7)  so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
(8)  The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

We are not saved from hell and the punishment for our sins because of works done by us in our own righteousness. God saved us through the mercy and grace shown through Jesus. We are declared righteous by His grace. Understanding that we are not saved by our works is the freedom that helps us learn to work. We are to insist on God’s grace to believers so that we will devote ourselves to good works. Devote means to think of, be intent on, or be carefully concerned with. It is excellent and profitable for believers to pursue good works and grow in the freedom that grace provides.

Both Rahab and Abraham grew in their faith through their works. They had to learn how to trust God more and to let that trust show through their actions. They were not motivated by earning salvation. They were not motivated out of a fear of losing their salvation. Understanding what the blood of Jesus has done for us gives us the freedom to grow and to let our faith become completed, fulfilled in our works.

As Rahab grew in her young faith, she was shown to be righteous through her works. Her faith practically saved not only herself but her entire family.

Joshua 2:15-21 ESV

(15)  Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was built into the city wall, so that she lived in the wall.
(16)  And she said to them, “Go into the hills, or the pursuers will encounter you, and hide there three days until the pursuers have returned. Then afterward you may go your way.”
(17)  The men said to her, “We will be guiltless with respect to this oath of yours that you have made us swear. (18)  Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father's household.

(19)  Then if anyone goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be guiltless. But if a hand is laid on anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head.
(20)  But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless with respect to your oath that you have made us swear.”
(21)  And she said, “According to your words, so be it.” Then she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

The spies give Rahab practical instructions on how she will be saved from the destruction of Jericho. Her house is built into the walls of Jericho and needs to be marked out so the whole army of Israel knows not to attack her. Rahab is told to tie a scarlet cord or thick red thread in her window to mark it. Any of her family that wish to survive the attack must be in her house. The spies cannot offer any safety outside the house marked by the scarlet cord.

The scarlet cord is not only in Rahab’s house but is woven throughout the entire Bible. From the blood of the first sacrifice that God gave in the garden on behalf of Adam and Eve, when He made skins for them (Gen 3:21). To the blood smeared on the doorpost of the Israelites houses at the Passover (Ex 12:22-23). Scripture has always pointed us to the safety and deliverance that is found when we are covered by and hidden in the blood of Jesus. Rahab was delivered when she remained in the house marked out by the scarlet cord. She couldn’t go out and fight but had to trust that being marked by the scarlet cord would provide safety. Likewise, our salvation is secured by the shed blood of Jesus.

Hebrews 9:14 ESV

(14)  how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Joshua 2:22-3:5 | Sunday August 2, 2026

Joshua sent two spies into Jericho to spy out the land and find out any valuable information that they could. The spies were immediately recognized on this secret mission. We are not told how much of Jericho they were able to see because the main focus is their time with Rahab. God had prepared Rahab’s heart in an amazing way and she knew that the God of Israel was the true God in the heavens above and on the earth below. She had heard stories about what the God of Israel had done to Egypt and the other kings. She knew Jericho was terrified of Israel. By faith Rahab received the spies, and in a step of growth and maturity she helped them to safety. Based on her trust of God she made a covenant promise with the spies that she would protect their lives if they would protect her families’ lives. Rahab fulfilled her promise by sneaking the spies out of her window. She sent them in the opposite direction of where the Israelites were camped to the caves in the southwest which would provide protection.

Joshua 2:22-24 ESV

(22)  They departed and went into the hills and remained there three days until the pursuers returned, and the pursuers searched all along the way and found nothing.
(23)  Then the two men returned. They came down from the hills and passed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they told him all that had happened to them.
(24)  And they said to Joshua, “Truly the LORD has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us.”

The spies remained hidden for three days until they were able to make their way back to the Israeli camp. Rahab had kept her word and did not expose the spies. The spies did not give a public report to all the people but came back to Joshua and told him what happened. After fleeing for their lives, and spending much of the time hiding from soldiers, I am amazed at their conclusion. They had full confidence that God had given the land to Israel. In Joshua 2:9 Rahab had confirmed that Jericho was fearful and melted away before Israel. The spies knew this confirmed a promise that God had made to Israel.

Exodus 23:27-30 ESV

(27)  I will send My terror before you and will throw into confusion all the people against whom you shall come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you.
(28)  And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hivites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites from before you.
(29)  I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the wild beasts multiply against you.
(30)  Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and possess the land.

When the spies heard that fear had gripped Jericho it confirmed God’s promises to them. He had sent His terror before Israel. Their enemies would turn and run at the sight of them. God’s promise was always sure but now it was confirmed through Rahab’s testimony. What God promises is true and will happen yet being confident in His promises is something we all grow in and need confirmation in. God was so gracious not only to fulfill His promise but was willing to give the spies and Johsua assurance of His promises. God meets us where we are and keeps drawing us to trust in Him.

Also notice why God did not empty out the Promised Land before Israel ever showed up. He will give it over little by little so that the land does not become desolate and filled by wild animals. God is powerful enough to empty the entire country before Israel ever showed up, but then it would not be a good cultivated land flowing with milk and honey with crops waiting to be enjoyed. God wanted Israel to walk in His victories, city by city, little by little. He does the same for us in our walk with Him.

Psalm 119:105 ESV

(105)  Nun Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

God guides us through His Word. The word for light is a small clay lamp that would have oil and one spout with a wick. So often we want God’s direction and leadership to be like the sun and illuminate everything all at once or at least be like a giant flood light. God promises to use His Word to give us enough light for our next step. We get so focused on the destination when He is interested in the relationship building journey with us. What is amazing about this kind of leadership is that it is custom tailored to right where we are.

1 Corinthians 10:11-13 ESV

(11)  Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
(12)  Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
(13)  No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

These true stories of Israel and how God led them are to serve as an example for us. In them we are able to see God’s character and heart. He is so personal and loving to each of us that we will never enter a trial that is beyond our capability to trust Him in it. Almost always they will be beyond our ability to handle it ourself. Yet, nothing will come into our life that we are not capable to trust Him with. He faithfully gives us the grace to endure, bear up under, the trial.

He will strengthen us and give us the grace to remain in His strength as we endure the trial. He will even be faithful to confirm His promises to us like He did for Joshua and the spies. He draws us to grow in our trust of Him little by little.

The other 10 spies at Kadesh Barnea could have trusted God. It was not beyond there ability or growth to rely on Him in that moment. Yet, they refused to trust Him. Now 40 years later, their children will have the same chance to trust God. Instead of focusing on the danger and fear the spies felt as they hid from the soldiers, they saw God confirming His Word. The spies trusted God and viewed these events through the light His Word provided. As Joshua hears the spies report He is encouraged by God’s continued faithfulness to Israel.

Joshua 3:1-2 ESV

(1)  Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.

After the spies report Joshua feels even more confidence that God is with them. Joshua does not delay but faithfully follows God’s command to arise and go over the Jordan (Josh 1:2). He has Israel move out and set up camp right on the edge of the Jordan river. Crossing the Jordan was the point of no return. Once 2 to 3 Million Israelites crossed over the Jordan there would be no escape but they would have to face the armies, walled cities, and enemies in the Promised Land. As Joshua has the people move into position he still does not know how they will cross the Jordan river yet God is faithful to instruct Him.

Joshua 3:2-8 ESV

(2)  At the end of three days the officers went through the camp
(3)  and commanded the people, “As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it.
(4)  Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.”
(5)  Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.”
(6)  And Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on before the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.
(7)  The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.
(8)  And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’”

God informed Joshua that He would lead the people through the Jordan by having them follow the ark of the covenant. When the Ark moved it was time to cross the Jordan. This method of leading was different than the 40 years in the wilderness.

Exodus 40:36-38 ESV

(36)  Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out.
(37)  But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up (38)  For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.

Throughout their wanderings in the wilderness God lead Israel through a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. When the cloud was taken up it was time to move camp. This is what makes the crossing of the Jordan unique. It appears that God stops leading by the cloud and fire at this moment. Instead the people are to follow after the Ark of the Covenant at a distance.

Exodus 25:10-11; 22 ESV

(10)  “They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height.
(11)  You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and outside shall you overlay it, and you shall make on it a molding of gold around it.

(22)  There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.

The Ark was made our of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold. It was not very large but 45 inches long, by 27 inches wide and 27 inches tall. The mercy seat sat on top of the ark and is where God promised to meet and dwell with His people. Everything about the Ark speaks about Jesus. Jesus is fully man which is shown by the wood and yet fully God which is shown by the gold. Through Jesus we are able to meet with and commune with God. Through Jesus we find mercy and our sin is dealt with. The Ark is the means that God will use to lead His people into the promised land. Just as we are lead into the Sprit filled life as we follow Jesus.

Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

(1)  Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
(2)  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

We are called to lay aside the weights that slow us down from walking with God. These are things that are not necessarily sin but they are not beneficial to growing closer to Jesus. We are also to lay aside the sin that clings closely to us and easily ensnares us tripping us up. God has laid out a race for each and every believer to run in. This is only possible as we look to Jesus. Look means to direct one’s attention without distraction, fix one’s eyes. Israel is led into the Promised Land, the Spirit filled life, as they keep a close eye on the Ark. We will grow closer to God and enjoy fellowship with Jesus if we stay focused on Him. It is all about Jesus.

He is the founder, this word means, the originator of our faith. It does not stop there He is also the perfector which means the one who brings something to a successful conclusion. Our faith begins and is brought to completion through Jesus. This is why keeping focused on Him is so important. We should not get lost in what we can do for Him but stay focused on what He has done for us. Isreal is not to focus on battle plans or strategies but to keep a close eye on the Ark, yet at a safe distance.

Joshua 3:4 ESV

(4)  Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.”

2,000 cubits is about 3,000 feet or a little over half a mile. The Israelites were to keep a distance from the holy Ark but be close enough to see it so that they could follow it where to go. God is so holy His presence had to be veiled from the people even as the Ark was transported.

Numbers 4:5-6 ESV

(5)  When the camp is to set out, Aaron and his sons shall go in and take down the veil of the screen and cover the ark of the testimony with it.
(6)  Then they shall put on it a covering of goatskin and spread on top of that a cloth all of blue, and shall put in its poles.

God’s presence is so holy that the Ark had to be covered by many thick layers before it was ever moved out of the Tabernacle. It is very easy for us to reduce God down to our size. We forget how holy and terrifying His presence really is.

Psalms 97:2-6 ESV

(2)  Clouds and thick darkness are all around Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
(3)  Fire goes before Him and burns up His adversaries all around.
(4)  His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
(5)  The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.

God is glorious. He is holy. In His presence are clouds and thick darkness and at the same time unapproachable light. A fire of righteousness and justice goes before Him. It is not hyperbole or an exaggeration that mountains melt before Him. When the earth sees God in His holiness it trembles which literally means to writhe in fear. This is the God who we are so casual in using His name in vain both through our words and out actions. Israel could only come within 3,000 feet of the covered ark and had to prepare themselves to even be that close.

Joshua 3:5 LSB

(5)  Then Joshua said to the people, “Set yourselves apart as holy, for tomorrow Yahweh will do wondrous deeds among you.”

To prepare for this moment Israel had to reflect God’s Holiness in morality but also in practical ways. In Exodus 19:10-15 when God called the people to set themselves apart as holy this involved washing their clothes and remaining ceremonially clean. Instead of God telling Israel to sharpen their swords and check their armor, He told them to prepare for His holy presence. This incredible holy God was going to do something truly wondrous in their sight tomorrow. This is the Holy God who Jesus has given us access to, and resides in us right now as believers. We have God’s presence inside us right now. This is something that we should be in awe of and not take for granted.

2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1 ESV

(16)  What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make My dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
(17)  Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
(18)  and I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty.”

(1)  Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

This is what makes what Jesus has done for us so truly incredible. God the Spirit resides in us. We are to live in this world but to be separate from it because He who is in us is Holy and separated from this world. God desires a deepening and growing relationship with us. He wants to lead us little by little and be a loving and caring Father to us. Not setting ourselves apart as holy gets in the way of this closeness. Since we have these great promises of fellowship we are to cleanse ourselves and bring God’s holiness in us to completion. We were already told how, by fixing our eyes on Jesus. He founded and perfects our faith, lets keep our eyes on Him as He leads us to a deeper and closer walk with Himself.

Joshua 3:6-17 | Sunday August 9, 2026

In Joshua 3, Israel is at the bank of the Jordan River, waiting to see the Ark of the Covenant move. God was leading the nation in a unique way, by only using the Ark instead of the pillar of fire or the cloud. God is present with His people and is holy. Due to this, Israel had to set themselves apart as morally and ceremoniously pure and stay 3,000 ft. away. Even with these instructions, the ark was triple covered. God went to great lengths to lead His people. They had not gone that way before, and God wanted them to know where to go by looking to Him. The nation was to watch the Ark and let God lead them by it.

Joshua 3:6-10 ESV

(6)  And Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on before the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.
(7)  The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.
(8)  And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’”
(9)  And Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God.”
(10)  And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites.

God had promised to do a wondrous thing in the sight of Israel, and He was going to use it in multiple ways. When Israel was able to cross the Jordan, Joshua would be exalted. Just as Israel knew God was with Moses because of the Red Sea crossing, at the Jordan River Israel would know that God was with Joshua. God also wanted His people to trust that He would without fail drive out the people from before them. As He performed this wondrous deed, God wanted the people to know that He was the living God and would be active in the promised land.

Psalm 42:1-3 ESV

(1)  To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah. As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for You, O God.
(2)  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
(3)  My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?”

The author of this psalm is in agony. He has been distressed and tearfully crying out night and day. He is full of doubts about where God is. His soul thirsts for the living God. He desperately needs a God who is not only big and powerful but also active and personal. He needs a living God who can be relied on and trusted.

By performing this incredible miracle of having Israel cross the Jordan, God wanted His people to know that He was the living God and could be trusted. God uses simple logic; if He is powerful enough to provide a way for Israel to cross the Jordan, then He would be powerful enough to, without fail, drive out the people from the promised land. If God can stop a raging river, then He can stop the attacks of the Canaanites or Amorites. God uses this same logic with us as believers.

Romans 8:31-32 ESV

(31)  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
(32)  He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?

God was willing to have Jesus step out of eternity and take on weak human flesh. God did not stop there but was willing to have Jesus suffer and die on the cross. If God was willing to give Jesus, God Himself, to us, then what eternally good thing would He ever hold back from us? The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are meant to prove to us that our God is the living God. It is meant to show His personal love and tremendous power. Everything that comes into our lives is to be filtered by this amazing truth. Just as Israel was to filter life in the promised land through the truth that they learned at the Jordan River. God proved to them and to us that He was more than adequate for whatever we would face. He is loving, powerful, and at work in our lives. He is the living God.

Joshua 3:8; 11-13 ESV

(8)  And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’”

(11)  Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan.
(12)  Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man.
(13)  And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.”

God gives Joshua clear instructions as to how He will stop the Jordan and let Israel cross it. The priests are to stand still in the Jordan. In order to do this, they will need to enter into the raging river. God promises that when their feet hit the water, then the river will stop. These instructions are not accidental. God is showing us a very important principle in what it looks like to grow in our trust of Him. To see it, though, we have to compare this miraculous crossing to Israel’s other miraculous crossing, the Red Sea. God uses both of these crossings in unique and separate ways in Israel’s story.

Exodus 14:9-14 ESV

(9)  The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.
(10)  When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD.
(11)  They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt?
(12)  Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”
(13)  And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.
(14)  The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Israel was finally able to leave Egypt after God miraculously protected them during the Passover. The firstborn male from each household died unless the family had spread the blood of the Passover lamb on the doorposts of their house. It was through the blood of the lamb that Israel was saved and redeemed out of Egypt. Yet, once Israel saw Pharaoh’s army pursuing them, fear set in quickly. Notice that the Israelites are absolutely confident that they will die in the wilderness. They saw two options: live as Pharaoh’s slaves or die. This is after seeing all 10 plagues. Moses knew that God was going to provide salvation from Egypt. God would be the one who would do it; they only had to be silent.

Exodus 14:19-22 ESV

(19)  Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them,
(20)  coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night.
(21)  Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
(22)  And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
(23)  The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.

God does something truly amazing: the pillar of cloud moved behind Israel and stood between Egypt and Israel. This kept the Egyptians from attacking, and it also made it impossible for any Israelites to go back to slavery in Egypt.

Moses does exactly as he was told and lifts His staff (Ex 14:16) and stretches His hand over the sea. No one was asked to enter the Red Sea until after it was divided and the path was fully dry. Israel had the cloud behind them, keeping them from retreating, and walls of water on each side. Their only choice was to move forward. As the cloud moved with Israel, the Egyptians pursued after them.

Exodus 14:24-28 ESV

(24)  And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic,
(25)  clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.”
(26)  Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.”
(27)  So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea.
(28)  The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained.

Throughout the night, over 2 million Israelites and the Egyptian army made their way through the Red Sea. The cloud kept them separated the entire time. Then in the morning watch, which was from 2 AM to sunrise (6 AM), God caused the Egyptian forces to be in a panic. All of a sudden they realized what they were doing and how dangerous it was. The dry ground became muddy, and their chariots began to get stuck. Psalm 77:16-20 even hints that there may have been a massive thunder and rainstorm. At this point all of Israel was safely through the Red Sea, and God had Moses stretch out his hand again, and the water returned to its normal place and killed the entire Egyptian army as they fled directly into the crashing waters. God explains what important event the Red Sea represents.

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 ESV

(1)  For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,
(2)  and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,
(3)  and all ate the same spiritual food,
(4)  and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.

Israel was baptized into Moses. Baptize means to immerse in the sense of identification, like immersing yourself in a culture. Israel was identified in Moses, who is a type of Jesus. It was Moses’ faithful obedience that the rest of Israel benefited from, just as it is Jesus’ faithful obedience that we benefit from.

Israel’s baptism into Moses represents our baptism by the Holy Spirit when we are identified with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:3-4 ESV

(3)  Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
(4)  We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

This is not referring to water baptism but is the real event that water baptism reminds us of. Once someone believes in Jesus, they are identified with the cross and the resurrection. The Holy Spirit takes us and immerses us into Jesus. This is not a second work or something that happens later into the Christian walk but happens the very moment we believe in Jesus (Eph 1:13). For Israel, they believed in God’s deliverer at the Passover. The entire nation had trusted in the blood of the Passover lamb. This represented their salvation. Then God brought them to the Red Sea and immersed them into Moses. It is important to notice that no one was lost between the Passover and the Red Sea. No one died or was even allowed to turn back. The passage emphasizes all. Once you trusted at the Passover, you made it through the Red Sea. The cloud made sure of it! The same is true for everyone who believes in who Jesus is and what He did. They are immediately baptized into Jesus the moment they believe; no one is left out. Yet even with all that God had done for His people, they still had a choice to faithfully walk and grow in their trust with Him.

1 Corinthians 10:5-6 ESV

(5)  Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
(6)  Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.

All were baptized at the Red Sea, and yet with most God was not pleased. Of that generation that trusted God at the Passover and Red Sea, only Caleb, Joshua, and the Levites were able to enter into the promised land. Israel was saved; they never stopped being God's people, and yet they were overthrown in the wilderness because they did not grow in their trust of God. This is meant to be an example for us to grow and learn to trust God and not desire evil like they did. Even though there is a new generation at the Jordan River, God continues to build on this picture. The Jordan River is not a picture of Israel being saved or being baptized into Joshua. Crossing the Jordan River is a picture of learning to trust God and walk in obedience to Him.

Joshua 3:14-17 ESV

(14)  So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people,
(15)  and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest),
(16)  the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho.
(17)  Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.

Notice some of the key differences. The priests were asked to take a step of obedient faith and trust that God would fulfill His promise. God had told them exactly what He would do if they would get their feet wet. Now they had to take a step into the flooded, raging Jordan River. Their soggy footprints are the key difference. God performed an amazing miracle when they were willing to trust Him. Their soggy footprints became firm, dry ground because of God’s faithfulness.

Also notice that the entire nation that wanted to cross made it over. We already know from Joshua 1:12-18 that the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh were staying on the other side of the Jordan. Only their soldiers crossed with Israel, and they will go back over the Jordan to get home in Joshua 22. There was no cloud pushing the people through. Those who wanted to stay could. God does not force us to grow and trust in Him but gives us opportunities to take a step of obedient faith.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

(20)  I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

As believers, we have been crucified with Jesus, and we have been given His new life. Now as we are still in this flesh, we are to live by faith to experience this new life. We grow closer to God the more we have faith, the more we trust Him to fulfill His promises. It is time for us to get our feet wet and trust Him.

Ephesians 5:8 ESV

(8)  for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light