Message Theme & Verses: The Warrior Leader. Joshua 3 & 6
God’s people wandered in the desert for 40 years! Moses died and didn’t make it to the Promised Land, but his chosen successor, Joshua was God’s new leader. The mighty city of Jericho stood in the way of God’s promise to His people. God’s people were weak. But God is strong and He had a plan. The people trusted God and were ready to fight, but God’s plan wasn’t for fighting. It was for faith and obedience. They marched around the city for seven days and then when they blew the trumpets as God commanded, the walls came tumbling down. The people promised to love and obey God in their new home after He provided them this victory, but they failed again. They ended up losing this home, but one day, there will be a perfect leader with the same name who will take His people to a home they can never lose.
Barkadang Questions
1. How long did God’s people wander in the desert?
2. God’s people had to get through the powerful city of Jericho. What is the most powerful country today? What would it take to beat them in a war?
3. Why do you think God defeated Jericho with trumpets and not swords? (The Israelites could not take credit for the victory because they were the strongest or the best fighters. Only God can win a battle like this.)
4. What would make the perfect home for you? Does it matter who is there with you?
5. What does the name Joshua mean? (It means God is my Savior. Actually, if you break down the name, it means “YHWH or Yahweh is a saving-cry” or “shout out to God for salvation!” In Hebrew, the language of the Old Testament, the name is pronounced Yeshua and in Greek, the language of the New Testament it looks like Ἰησοῦς Iēsoûs. Then, in Latin, the name is Iesus, which is where we get the English pronunciation, Jesus. So Joshua has the same name as Jesus!)
6. How is Joshua like Jesus? (God chose him to lead His people. He had faith and obeyed God and defeated all of God’s enemies. Joshua gave an inheritance. Moses couldn’t take God’s people to the Promised Land, but Joshua could and the Law can’t save people to heaven, but Jesus can.)
7. How is Jesus the better Joshua? (Joshua was just a man and Jesus is God. Joshua could only defeat human enemies. Joshua gave only temporary peace, but Jesus’ peace is forever. Jesus defeated sin, Satan, and even death. Jesus’ salvation is perfect and eternal.)
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