Foundations Week 13, Day 1

Scripture Read:  Joshua 5:10- 15; 6
Title: Israel Defeats Jericho
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H.E.A.R. Entry
(H) Highlight verse:  " And the LORD said to Joshua, 'See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor.  You shall march around the city. all the men of war going around the city once.  Thus shall do for six days... On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow trumpets.' "  Joshua 6:2 - 3, 4b)

(E) Explain:  God gives Israel a plan of attack to overthrow the city of Jericho.  It wouldn't be a stretch to say that if this was a human devised plan it would have been a terrible way to try and overthrow a city.... However, God was the one making the plan so they were guaranteed success.  He laid out specific plans for attack and the people were to follow these instructions exactly and they did.  The Israelites go to Jericho and defeat the city.  God tells them to go and conquer but all the silver, gold, objects of copper and iron shall go to the treasury of the Lord, they are not to keep any plunder for themselves.  This is the first battle the Israelites enter and they were victorious because of the LORD.
 
(A) Application:  Sometimes God calls us to do really weird things that do not make any sense whatsoever.  We read about this continually throughout the scriptures.  There are too many to write down here in this small paragraph.  Ultimately, God doesn't tell us to do weird things just because.  He has a purpose and usually that purpose is to show that God is Almighty and He wants to show his power, might and glory to all people through HIS people.  The war tactic at Jericho was a very unusual tactic, but it shows us some truths...

1. God is ALL powerful
   
2. He is always victorious 
3. He will use His people to accomplish His will
   
4. We will know for certain it was HIM that accomplishes the task and not us
   

(R) Respond: I would encourage you as you continue to read through the Bible and take note of the times where God commands or asks his people (prophets, Israelites and others) to so some head scratching things.  Then ask yourselves, "What is the result?  What did God accomplish in this task and how does it apply to me?"  That's a tough task to ask you to do, but I think it would be worth the time.