Online Sermons
Lesson #4 - Victory & Defeat
Series: No Time For NeutralityLESSON #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).
