Crossing into Victory: Faith, Obedience, and the Battle for Promise

Welcome to Day 59 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are beginning the book of Joshua. In Chapters 5-7, the Israelites, having just crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land, are instructed by God to circumcise all the men born in the wilderness as a sign of their commitment to the covenant, signifying a new beginning in their conquest of Canaan; however, their first encounter with the city of Jericho results in a miraculous victory after following God's specific instructions to march around the city for seven days, causing the walls to fall down; following this triumph, the Israelites are defeated at Ai due to Achan's disobedience in taking forbidden plunder, leading to a process of identifying and removing the sin within their ranks to regain God's favor and secure future victories.

In Joshua Chapter 5 after the Israelites cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land, Joshua leads them in a renewal of their covenant with God by circumcising all the men of the new generation who had not been circumcised in the wilderness, signifying their readiness to enter the land and obey God's laws; this act takes place at Gilgal. Following this, they celebrate the Passover, marking their entry into Canaan, and the manna, which had sustained them in the desert, ceases as they now have access to the land's produce. Notably, Joshua also encounters a mysterious "commander of the Lord's army" who appears to him, reaffirming God's presence and leadership as they prepare to conquer the land.

In Joshua Chapter 6 is when the Israelites, led by Joshua, conquer the city of Jericho by following God's specific instructions to march around the city once a day for six days and seven times on the seventh day, blowing trumpets and shouting loudly on the final circuit, causing the walls to miraculously collapse; this victory is attributed to their unwavering faith and obedience, with the exception of Rahab and her family who were spared due to her prior assistance to Israelite spies.

In Joshua Chapter 7 following the Israelites' victory at Jericho, they suffer a surprising defeat at the small city of Ai, which is revealed to be due to the sin of Achan, a man who disobeyed God's command by taking "devoted things" from Jericho for himself; God instructs Joshua to identify the culprit through a process of elimination, leading to Achan's confession and subsequent punishment, along with his family and possessions, serving as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of complete obedience to God's commands; this story highlights how one person's sin can affect the whole community.

"Crossing into Victory: Faith, Obedience, and the Battle for Promise"

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The Book of Joshua is a pivotal Old Testament text that chronicles the Israelites' entrance into the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua. The name Joshua originates from the Hebrew name Yehoshua, meaning "Yahweh is salvation." This name holds deep significance, as Joshua serves as a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, whose name in Greek—Iēsous—shares the same meaning.

Purpose of the Book of Deuteronomy

The Book of Joshua serves multiple purposes:

Historical Record – It documents the fulfillment of God's promise to give Israel the land of Canaan, as first promised to Abraham (Genesis 12:7).
Spiritual Encouragement – It emphasizes God's faithfulness and the importance of obedience to His commands.
Theological Insight – It reveals the divine judgment on wicked nations and the necessity of Israel’s faithfulness in order to prosper in the land.

Authorship & Sources Supporting Moses as the Author: Traditionally, Joshua is credited as the primary author of the book, with possible later additions by scribes or prophets. Several key sources support this claim:

Internal Biblical Evidence
- Joshua 24:26 states, “And Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God,” indicating his role in writing down events.
- The book exhibits an eyewitness perspective, especially in military accounts and geographical details.
- Other Old Testament books reference Joshua’s leadership and actions (e.g., Judges 2:6-9).
Ancient Jewish Tradition
- The Talmud (Baba Bathra 14b-15a) attributes the book to Joshua, with the last portion (concerning his death) possibly completed by Eleazar or Phinehas.
Scholarly Perspectives
- Some scholars propose that while Joshua authored much of the book, later scribes may have compiled and edited parts of it during the time of Samuel or later.
- The Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) and Dead Sea Scrolls contain early textual witnesses supporting the authenticity of Joshua’s authorship.

Key People in Deuteronomy:

Joshua – The central figure, Moses' successor, and the leader of Israel’s conquest of Canaan.
Rahab – The Canaanite woman from Jericho who hid the Israelite spies and was spared for her faith, later becoming an ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).
Achan – An Israelite who sinned by taking forbidden plunder, leading to Israel’s temporary defeat at Ai (Joshua 7).
Caleb – One of the faithful spies (alongside Joshua) from Moses’ time who received Hebron as his inheritance.
Eleazar – The high priest and son of Aaron, who assisted in dividing the land among the tribes.
The Gibeonites – A group who deceived Israel into making a peace treaty, yet were spared and became servants in Israel.

The Book of Joshua stands as a powerful testimony of God’s faithfulness, the necessity of obedience, and the fulfillment of His promises. It serves as both a historical and spiritual guide, showing how faith in God leads to victory.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

In Joshua 5, God is referred to as Yahweh, the covenant-keeping Lord, and Sar Tzevaot, meaning "Commander of the Lord’s Army" (Joshua 5:14). These names reveal God's supreme authority, faithfulness, and His role as the divine warrior who leads His people into victory. His character is seen in His holiness, as He commands Joshua to remove his sandals in His presence, mirroring Moses’ encounter at the burning bush. God’s faithfulness is evident as He rolls away Israel’s reproach (Gilgal) and provides for them in the Promised Land. The key lessons in Joshua 5 include the importance of consecration before conquest, trusting in God's provision rather than past miracles (as manna ceased), and submitting fully to God’s leadership. Victory comes not through human strength but through obedience and alignment with God's divine plan.

In Joshua 6, God is referred to as Yahweh (יהוה), the covenant-keeping Lord, and His role as the divine warrior is emphasized. Though not explicitly named in this chapter, His actions align with El Gibbor, meaning "Mighty God," as He brings down the walls of Jericho by His power, not human effort. His character is revealed as sovereign, powerful, and faithful to His promises—He fulfills His word to give Jericho into Israel’s hands. At the same time, His justice and mercy are evident: He commands the city's destruction because of its wickedness but spares Rahab and her family due to her faith. The lessons in Joshua 6 highlight the power of obedience, the necessity of faith in God's unconventional strategies, and the assurance that victory comes through divine strength, not human might. Trusting God’s plan, even when it defies logic, leads to breakthrough and fulfillment of His promises.

In Joshua 7, God is referred to as Yahweh (יהוה), the covenant-keeping Lord, who demands holiness among His people. His character is revealed as just and righteous, seen in His response to Achan’s sin. Though not explicitly named in this chapter, His actions align with El Qanna, meaning "Jealous God," as He does not tolerate disobedience and hidden sin within Israel. He is also Elohim Mishpat, "God of Justice," as He brings judgment upon Achan for violating His command. The lessons in Joshua 7 emphasize that sin affects the entire community, hidden disobedience hinders God's blessings, and repentance is necessary for restoration. God desires purity and wholehearted devotion, teaching that victory is only possible when His people walk in righteousness and obedience.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions: Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character:

What does God’s introduction as the Commander of the Lord’s Army (Joshua 5:14) reveal about His authority and role in our lives?
How does God’s command for Joshua to remove his sandals (Joshua 5:15) reflect His holiness?
In what ways does God demonstrate His faithfulness and justice in the victory at Jericho (Joshua 6)?
How does God’s response to Achan’s sin in Joshua 7 reveal His righteousness and intolerance for disobedience?
What do these chapters teach about God's power to provide victory in battles, both physically and spiritually?

Questions About Themes:

How does the circumcision of the Israelites at Gilgal (Joshua 5:2-9) symbolize renewal and consecration to God?
What is the significance of the Israelites celebrating Passover in the Promised Land for the first time (Joshua 5:10-12)?
How does the battle of Jericho (Joshua 6) illustrate the power of faith and obedience?
What lessons can we learn from Achan’s sin (Joshua 7) about personal accountability and the consequences of disobedience?
How does corporate responsibility play a role in Israel’s defeat at Ai, and what does that teach about sin’s impact on a community?

Reflective Application Questions:

Are there any areas in your life where God is calling you to deeper consecration and obedience before granting victory?
How do you respond when God’s instructions don’t seem logical or conventional, as seen in the battle of Jericho?
Have you ever experienced the consequences of hidden sin? How does Achan’s story challenge you to walk in integrity?
In what ways can you cultivate a lifestyle of complete trust in God, even when facing battles that seem impossible?
How can you ensure that your personal actions do not negatively impact your family, church, or community, as Achan’s sin did to Israel?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans