Old Testament 1 Lesson 4

Acknowledgments
Living Logos was the heart-work of Bro
Dale Starks and Sis Josephine Starks,
missionaries to Singapore in the early
1980s. As the original authors of this
devotionals, the Starks meant for
these self-study materials to help new converts
(and matured saints alike) get a hold of an
understanding of God’s written Word. Since Sis
Stark’s passing in 2013, the couple had graciously
entrusted Tabernacle of Joy with its copyright.
Therefore, with every print run, we would like to
honour their life work and sacrifice in bringing the
gospel to Singapore. This copy is an updated and
revised version. Be blessed as you immerse yourself
in the Word and allow God to transform you into
the likeness of Jesus Christ.
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Lesson
Four
Old Testament 1
Old Testament 1
JOSHUA
Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to
pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’
minister
— Joshua 1:1
The leadership qualities that Joshua possessed were many. He
had been Moses’ minister for years. This does not mean that
he was like a prime minister, or minister of finance. He was as
a servant to Moses. The original Hebrew word was “sharah”,
which means “one who attends to the needs of another”. He
stood in the background, always there when Moses needed
help.
Joshua was one of the two spies who came back with a good
report, and was anxious to go forth into the promised land.
When other leaders rebelled, this man stood loyal and faithful
to his master.
Other experiences he had which further qualified him:
1. He led Israel in the battle against the Amalekites (Exodus
17:13).
2. He accompanied Moses part of the way up Mount Sinai
when Moses received the Law (Exodus 24:13).
3. He assisted Moses and ministered to him following Israel’s
repentance regarding the sin of the golden calf (Exodus
33:11).
The record of his life is almost faultless - the Scriptures only
mentioning one incident where he and the other leaders failed
to seek advice from God concerning the Gibeonites (Joshua
9:14).
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JOSHUA AS A TYPE OF JESUS CHRIST
In several ways, Joshua was a type of Jesus Christ:
1. His name “Joshua” means “Jehovah is Salvation”. It may be written as
Hoshea, Oshea, Jehoshua, Jeshua, and in the New Testament Greek
“Jesus” (Acts 7:45, Hebrews 4:8).
2. He was the captain of the armies of Israel. The Lord is the captain of
our salvation (Hebrews 2:10).
3. He led the people to victory. Jesus leads us to a victorious life.
4. Before his exaltation to the position as the leader of Israel, he was a
servant to Moses. Jesus “made himself of no reputation, and took upon
him the form of a servant... Wherefore God also hath highly exalted
him” (Philippians 2:7, 9)
5. He followed after Moses. Moses represents the Law, the time period
when all of the commandments and ordinances given to Israel through
Moses were in effect. When Jesus died on the cross, so did the Law,
because it was only in effect until Jesus brought his followers into the
spiritual Canaan - the kingdom of God!
GOD’S MESSAGE TO JOSHUA
1. An assurance that Moses was dead. Moses had made it known to the
people that he was going to die on Mount Nebo. Yet there probably
were people who wanted to organize a search party and look for him
after he did not come down. God made it very plain to Joshua when he
said:
Moses my servant is dead
— Joshua 1:2
2. An assurance that the land promised to Moses was now promised to
him.
Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given
unto you, as I said unto Moses
— Joshua 1:3
3. An assurance that God would be with him. God promised,

...As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor
forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt
thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers
to give them
— Joshua 1: 5-6
4. An encouragement to keep the Law. God said,
...that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses
my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the
left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the
law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein
day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is
written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then
thou shalt have good success
— Joshua 1:7-8
5. An encouragement not to be afraid. God said,
...Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not
afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee
whithersoever thou goest
— Joshua 1:9
JOSHUA TAKES CHARGE
Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, Pass through the
host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three
days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD
your God giveth you to possess it
— Joshua 1:10-11
The tribes of Reuben and Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh were given
permission to settle on the east side of the Jordan River, only on the condition
that after they got their family settled, they would join the rest of the
Israelites in conquering those who possessed the land of Canaan. Taking
possession of the land of Canaan was more than just going in and setting
up housekeeping. It meant driving out the inhabitants of the land (Joshua
1:12-15).
The people were very receptive to Joshua’s leadership. They said,
...All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us,
we will go
— Joshua 1:16
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Christians should have this same attitude toward their Captain, Jesus
Christ!
RAHAB
One of the cities Israel had to conquer in order to take possession of the
land was the city of Jericho. Joshua sent out two spies to find out the
strength of the city. These spies found lodging in the house of Rahab, a harlot.
This woman, despite her past life, feared the God of the Israelites. She
told the men that she knew God was going to give them the land. She also
related to them that all of Jericho knew about the miracle at the Red Sea,
and Israel’s victory over the Amorites.
Rahab said,
...As soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there
remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God,
he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath
— Joshua 2:11
Someone had seen the two spies entering the city, and then entering
Rahab’s house. This was reported to the king who sent men unto Rahab,
saying, “Bring forth the men that are come to thee.” However, Rahab took
the men and brought them up to the roof of the house where she hid them
under the stalks of flax which had been arranged in order upon the roof.
She then told the men who had come after the spies that she had seen
the men, but they had gone out the gate of the city about the time of the
shutting of the gate, and that she did not know in which direction they had
gone (Joshua 2:2-6).
Because Rahab had spared the lives of the spies, she requested a favour from
them. She told them that she knew some day they would take the city. She
requested that whenever they did, they would spare her house. She would
have all her family inside. They agreed to this plan. She then let the spies
down by a scarlet cord through a window, because her house had been built
upon the town wall (Joshua 2:8-15).
The men told her that she must make sure her family was safe inside the
house. The scarlet cord used to aid their escape was to be displayed in the
window, so that when Israel came to destroy Jericho, they would see the
cord, and not destroy the house. There would not be any mercy or safety for
any person not in her house!
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A TYPE OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST
This event reminds us of the night of the passover in Egypt. Only the people
who had killed a lamb without blemish, and put the blood of the lamb on
the two side posts and the upper door post of their houses were spared a
visit by the death angel (Exodus 12:7-23).
Scarlet is the colour of blood. Rahab’s house is a type of the church of Jesus
Christ, and the scarlet cord is a type of the blood of Jesus. We must stay in
the church, and keep covered by the blood in order to be safe from the coming
judgements of God.
Rahab became a staunch believer in the one true God, and married Salmon,
an Israelite. Salmon was the great-great grandfather of David. Thus, Rahab
came to be included in the ancestral line of David, and Jesus Christ, as well
(Ruth 4:20-22; Matthew 1:5).
THE MIRACULOUS CROSSING OF JORDAN
The next morning, after the return of the spies, Joshua ordered the people
to move to the bank of the Jordan River. Here they camped for three days,
while they received final instructions. The river was at flood stage, making it
very difficult to cross (Joshua 3:1-2).
When everything was ready, the ark, carried by the Levites, went before the
children of Israel. Three thousand feet separated the people from the ark,
allowing many of the people to see the ark going ahead. When the soles
of the feet of the priests touched the waters of Jordan, a great miracle took
place. Every drop of water at the area stopped flowing, and banked up in a
great heap, while the water below flowed on towards the Dead Sea. God’s
invisible dam was stronger than any ever built by man (Joshua 3:3-16).
The priests halted in the middle of the river. They stood holding the ark of
the covenant until all the people passed over. As the crossing of the Red Sea
was a type of baptism during Moses’ day, the crossing of the Jordan River
was a type of baptism under Joshua’s leadership. This time it was a new
generation of people who had to go through the waters!
Two memorials of this crossing were created: one right in the middle of
the Jordan River, and the other across at Gilgal where the people camped
(Joshua 4:1-14). It was here at Gilgal that the younger generation of males
were circumcised (Joshua 5:2-9). Circumcision is a type of the casting off of
the old life, and being made alive by being filled with the Holy Spirit:
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In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in
putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried
with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the
operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in
your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened (made alive)
together with him
— CoLossIans 2:11-13
VOCABULARY
ancestor —
one from whom a person is descended
ancestral —
dismayed —
exaltation —
flax —
meditate —
memorial —
staunch —
victuals —
of, or relating to an ancestor
deprived of courage
the act of being lifted to a place of dignity, power,
honor
a long, slender plant, from which is made linen
thread
to think, ponder
anything that serves to help people remember some
person or event
very strong, faithful, loyal
food
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Old
Lesson
Testament
Four
1
Test
1-3
List three experiences Joshua had which helped qualify him as Israel’s
new leader.
4-6
List three ways in which Joshua was a type of Jesus Christ.
7-11
Give five parts of God’s message to Joshua.
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12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
What special permission was given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half
the tribe of Manasseh?
__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
How did Israel show that they were receptive to Joshua’s leadership?
__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
Where did Rahab hide the spies?
_________________________________________________________.
What was the plan so that Rahab and her family would be saved, when
Israel destroyed Jericho?
__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
What was the scarlet cord a type of? _____________________________.
What happened when the feet of the priest touched the waters of Jordan?
_________________________________________________________.
What was the crossing of the Jordan River a type of?
__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
What was circumcision a type of?
__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________.
What did you find of special interest to you in this lesson?
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