The Fall of Jericho
January 22, 2012
The lesson for this week covers Joshua 6. We transition from Moses to Joshua and his time in Canaan.
Around the Table:
We start by picking up Joshua's journey as they encounter Jericho. Jericho was a very powerful city and had a large wall that protected the city. The Israelites, in their own power, were not strong enough to conquer Jericho. The Israelites had a major hurdle to climb. There was a wall protecting Jericho that they could not bring down. Instead of admitting defeat or trying to talk with the people of Jericho, Joshua trusted that the Lord would deliver the city of Jericho to him. The path to take the city was not normal. It involved walking in circles and blowing a horn. However, Joshua and the people of Israel followed the Lord's instructions and were successful in knocking down the walls of Jericho. What obstacles do you face that seem really big?
We also see that after the wall is broken and the city was destroyed, Joshua kept his promise and (v22,25) spared Rahab and her family even though she lived in Jericho and was a harlot. This is similar to how when Jesus died and the curtain that separated the holy of holies from the rest of the temple was split in two. God spared His people and saved His people through this act.
Ask your children:
Is it easy to follow your parents directions?
Do the rules or instructions that your parents give you always make sense?
Why should you listen to your parents and their instructions?
Personal thoughts:
Rahab was not only a harlot, but she was not Jewish. Yet, Joshua chose to spare her the wrath that was occurring to the rest of the city of Jericho. She did not deserve to be spared, her life was not one that would have earned her this right. The same is true for each of us.
If we are honest with ourselves, then we must admin that we are sinners, 1 John 1:8, Roms 3:23. Since we are sinners we should expect to receive the judgment that we deserve. However, just like Rahab, we have been spared from the wrath that we deserve. Through Jesus' actions on the cross we are promised to be spared from the results of our sin,1 Peter 1:18-20, which is eternal separation from our creator. How incredible is it that even though we are sinners, Jesus still died for us, Rom 5:8. All we have to do is choose, 1 John 1:9, to accept this sacrifice He made on our behalf and we will be spared, Rom 10:9-10.
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