Download Study Materials
The end of the War… (3 things)
44Surround yourself with godly men – those who encourage your walk in the Lord…
1st – Civil war in Israel… Read: Joshua 22:1-4
1st – Time for Rueben / Gad / and Manasseh to go home… vs. 1-9 v
With the end of the Northern war – Rueben / Gad / and Manasseh fulfilled their vow…
Promised to fight along side Israel until the land was conquered – Joshua 1:15…
Only then would they return to their families on the east side of the Jordan River…
It had been a LONG time – fighting in MANY battles…
I am sure there were LOTS of times they regretted the promise – wanted to give up
But in the end – the 2½ tribes were faithful to everything they had promised…
It is easy in our excitement to make a promise to God…
But it is something else all together to see that promise through to the end…
It is easy to say we want to dedicate our lives to following Jesus…
Luke 9:32 – “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
When we realize the cost – there are going to be MANY days we want to give up…
Yet God does not promise us an easy life – what he promises is eternal life!
Matthew 24:13 – “He who endures to the end shall be saved.”
2nd – Building an altar on the frontier… vs. 10-20 Read: Joshua 22:10-12
1st – Before crossing over the Jordan River the Eastern Tribes built an impressive alter…
An exact replica of the altar that God had commanded built for the Tabernacle…
When the 9½ Western Tribes heard about the altar – they mobilized for war!
Israel was ONLY allowed to offer sacrifices at the Tabernacle…
Leviticus 17:8-9 – “Anyone… who offers a… sacrifice, and does not bring it to the door of the tabernacle of meeting… shall be cut off from among his people.”
The purpose was to make sure the children of Israel stayed accountable…
If people could offer sacrifices anywhere – they might pervert the worship of God…
The danger of being far from believers – we loose accountability…
We can get ‘off’ in our walk with Jesus – without anyone there to warn us…
I have known people who did not think it was important to ‘go to church’…
More often than not – they ended up falling into sin / or some ‘off’ doctrine…
Hebrews 10:25 – “Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other… so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Going to church does not save us – it gives us accountability / encouragement..
One of the most important things to have in life – a good church family!
2nd – The 9½ Eastern Tribes knew the danger of compromise…
When Israel had sinned at Peor – with the women of Moab because of Balaam…
God had sent a plague that wiped out 23,000 people – Numbers 25…
The results of the plague could still be seen up to that very day… vs. 17
Perhaps because of children whose parents had died / scars that did not heal…
Their point being the effects of sin spread out quickly and hurt many!
We often make the mistake of thinking that our choices only affect us…
If we choose to sin – only we face the consequences – we are not hurting others…
The truth is that our lives effect many people – our kids / family / friends…
Either indirectly by our example – our children following us…
Or directly as a result of hurting others with our actions or words!
3rd – The 9½ Eastern Tribes offered to have the 2½ Western tribes relocate…
If they were not able to refrain from compromise being far away – come closer…
They would have additional accountability – be closer to the Tabernacle…
It is hard to stand for the Lord alone – without a ‘church family’ to support us…
If we see a brother or sister in the Lord struggling in their faith – far from God…
It is our opportunity / obligation – to step out and try to help them
Galatians 1:6 – “You who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness…”
4th – A reminder for future generations… vs. 21-34 Read: Joshua 23:23-25
The 2½ Western Tribes answered – ‘the Lord alone is God!’
They had not built the altar to office sacrifices to the Lord – that was forbidden…
They built the altar because they feared for their future generations…
They realized the Jordan River stood between the two groups of Tribes…
They feared in the future the Eastern Tribes would reject the Western Tribes!
It was a valid concern…
Western tribes said the Altar was built – ‘on the children of Israel’s side of the river’
They were already referring to themselves as THE ‘Children of Israel’…
Meaning they looked at the Eastern Tribes as being different – not equals…
The altar stood as a memorial to remind future generations they were one!
The leaders of the Western Tribes were satisfied – and stopped short of a civil war
Just because someone is different – does not mean they are wrong…
We often get the idea we are different/better than other churches…
As if somehow we have perfected the idea – and everyone else needs to catch up…
We forget this is God’s church – and He has a plan for each and every part of it…
Just because someone does not go to the same church – or is not in our group…
Does not mean they are not saved – a Christian – or going to heaven…
‘The Church’ is HUGE and diverse – but it has one thing in common – Jesus!
4th – The last words of Joshua to the leaders… vs. 1-16 Read: Joshua 23:5-8, 11-13
1st – Many years passed – Joshua was VERY old – he called the leaders of Israel… vs. 1-10
God had fought for Israel – they defeated nations far greater than they were…
One of them put to flight 1000 of their enemies – they were unstoppable!
The reason was because the leaders had been faithful to the Lord – and to His Word…
The biggest problem in the world today – is people do not know the Word of God…
They do not know the dangers of hell – or the reward of heaven…
About the coming judgment of God – or His amazing Love and salvation!
They do not know Jesus – because they do not know His Word!
And the ones who should be teaching them – the leaders / pastors – do not…
Hosea 4:6 – “My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me. It is all your fault, you [pastors], for you yourselves refuse to know me.”
Pastors need to teach the Word – faith comes by hearing the Word – Romans 10:17
When pastors are faithful to teach the Word – the people have victory!
2nd – Therefore be careful not to compromise… vs. 11-16
If Israel began to intermarry with the pagan nations that remained…
Then God would no longer fight for them – those nations would be a snare to them…
They would be a thorn in their eyes – and Israel would be removed from the Land…
Because the unbelieving spouses would turn their believers hearts from the Lord…
Because their children would be raised in a home that had – at best – mixed values!
When we get married – we should not marry ‘unbelievers’…
II Corinthians 6:14 – “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers…
If someone is ‘religious’ and knows ‘about Jesus’ does not mean they are saved…
Do not marry someone just because they are cute – marry one who loves the Lord…
Be very careful whom you choose to be your spouse – it is a permanent decision…
Find a man/woman who loves the Lord – not just in words – but also in actions…
Otherwise they might end up drawing you away from your walk with Jesus…
There have also been many women who were convinced they were ‘in love’…
The only problem was their ‘man’ was not a Christian (in his actions)…
But they were convinced they could change him – make him into a Godly man..
Only to end up in a bad marriage – with children who learned mixed values…
So find a man or woman who loves the Lord – for you and for your children!
5th – The last words of Joshua to the nation… vs. 1-33 Read: Joshua 24:2-3 / 15 -16 / 26-27
1st – The nation of Israel had come from a pagan background… vs. 1-14
Terah – the father of Abraham – had worshiped many false gods…
But Abraham was not like his father – the Lord led him…
Many of us may comes from families did not know or follow the Lord…
But just because we did not have a good example – does not mean we are stuck…
We are not stuck – bound to our past – we can be different and follow Jesus!
God brought Israel out of bondage in Egypt – through the Red Sea…
God refused to listen to Balaam when he wanted to curse Israel at Peor…
He gave them victory in Jericho / against all the Southern and Northern armies…
In fact they had victory at every turn – but not because of their swords or bows…
God sent hornets / He sent Hail / He was the one who gave them victory!
Being successful in life has nothing to do with our talents – or our abilities…
We can do everything right – but we will ultimately fail without God…
We can be stubborn and rebellious – like Israel – but with God we will have victory!
2nd – Choose this day – who will you serve… vs. 15 Read: Joshua 24:15
Joshua gave the people a choice – choose today whom you will serve…
They could choose to serve the gods of Terah / or of the people in the Land…
But as for Joshua and his home – he choose to serve the Lord!
Everyone one has this simple choice – whom do we choose to follow in life…
We can follow the example of our unbelieving family – drinking / parties…
We can follow the example of those around us – friends / classmates…
Or we can choose to follow the Word of God – follow Jesus!
3rd – We will follow the Lord… vs. 16-33
Israel was quick to respond – ‘we will never forsake the Lord!’
That was the right answer – but it was not going to be easy to follow…
Joshua knew the people were stubborn / rebellious – and challenged their words…
‘You are not able to serve the Lord – for He is a jealous God…’
But they people insisted – ‘we are determined to serve the Lord!’
Joshua loved the people too much to let them fall – he was going to help them…
He knew he would not be around forever to keep them looking to God…
So Joshua took a stone – ‘it head their promise’ the Children of Israel made…
It would testify against them if they broke their word!
I Corinthians 10:4 – “And that Rock was Jesus Christ…”
Even the best of men are not perfect – and that do not live forever…
Only Jesus never changes – He is the perfect example to follow after…
The best things someone could ever do – point us to Jesus – I Corinthians 11:1…
Joshua was 110 years old when he died…
Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua…
We need to be careful whom we spend time with – who we are influenced by…
We all follow someone’s example – they lead us either towards or away from God…
I Corinthians 15:33 – “…bad company corrupts good character.”
Leave a Reply