Lesson #4 - Victory & Defeat

Terry Siverd
02/05/17 - Sun AM

Series: No Time For Neutrality

LESSON #4 – VICTORY & DEFEAT

Conquest Of Jericho / Chapter Six

1. After being consecrated, Israel is now ready to do battle.

  Males are circumcised - cf. Josh.5:1-12

  Joshua is “anointed” for battle by the captain of the host of the Lord. – 5:23-25 

  Although Jericho is comprised of valiant warriors (6:2), her citizens are full of fear (2:11).

2. Who devised the plan for conquering Jericho and what does the plan entail? – vs.2

  Using the following words, describe key elements in the plan of attack.

seven priests with trumpets … the ark of the covenant … seven days … circling the city … silence and shouting …

  Occupying nine acres, Jericho could be encircled in about an hour.

~ What were the results of this battle plan? – vss. 5, 16 and 20-21

~ What role did FAITH play in this victory? – cf. Heb.11:30

~ How did this defeat impact Jericho? – vs. 26

~ How did this victory impact Joshua? – vs. 27

3. What is meant by “under the ban”? – vss. 17-19

  What would happen if someone disobeyed this ban?

  Did disobedience result in severe consequences? – cf. Joshua chapter 7

4. Did God endorse such ruthlessness - - destroying men & women, young & old, ox, sheep & donkey? – vss. 21, 24 & 26

  Who (what family) was the exception to the above command and why? – vss. 22-23 & 25

Defeat At Ai / Chapter Seven

1. What brought about this unexpected defeat at Ai?

  Didn’t Joshua spies indicate that Ai should be “easy pickings”? – vss. 2-3

~ How many (how few) soldiers were sent into battle by Israel? – vs. 4

~ What was the outcome for Israel - - how many of the Israelites were killed? – vs. 5

~ What posture did Joshua and the elders take in light of this defeat? – vss. 6-9

2. What prompted God’s dissatisfaction with Israel?  i.e., why did Israel lose the battle? – vss. 10f

  Describe the SIN IN THE CAMP - - who was guilty of disobeying “the ban”? – vss. 16

~ How was the guilty party ferreted out? – vs. 14

~ What was coveted and taken from Jericho by Achan by means of deception? – vs. 21

3. What punishment was inflicted? – vss. 15 & 24f

  Why was this a capital offense, punishable by death? – vs. 18

~ In what way is covetousness the equivalent of idolatry ?  cf. Col.3:5 with Deut.5:7 & 21

~ Why punish Achan’s entire household (wife? … children … oxen, donkeys & sheep) for something Achan did? – vs. 24

~ Why burn all of his belongings?

  How were they executed? – vs. 25

~ What was the purpose of the great heap of stones? – vs. 26a

~ What name was given to this place? – vs. 26b

~ What will a man give (take) in exchange for his soul? – cf. Mt.16:26

   4. Discuss the similarities between the sin of Achan and the sin of Ananias in New Testament times (Acts 5:1ff).