Lesson 3
Inhabiting the Promised Land
Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." Joshua 3:5
Joshua 3
Read Joshua 3
1. In your own words, summarize the events of Joshua 3.
The ark of the covenant was a wooden chest overlaid with gold. Its lid, called the mercy seat, was crafted from solid gold and was topped with figures of two cherubim facing each other with outstretched wings. God promised that from the mercy seat he would meet with his people. Because of the ark's association with God's presence it was Israel's holiest object; so holy, in fact, that it had to be carried with poles and anyone who touched it died.
2. What instructions are given to Israel in 3:1-6?
3.The Lord is about to accomplish great things for Israel and they are given assurance that because of his presence he will indeed fulfill his promises to them (Joshua 3:10-11). What do the following verses say about God's presence and his promises?
- Matthew 28:20
- Ephesians 2:18
- 1 Timothy 4:8
- James 2:5
4. How do these verses encourage you in your own pilgrimage with God?
5. Why do you think Joshua commands the people to consecrate themselves in preparation for God's work?
6. How can you prepare yourself for a work of God in your life? Joshua 3:11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan.
7. a) What does God say concerning his guidance in John 10:3 and John 16:13?
b) How does the promise of God's guidance help you to follow him in your circumstances this week? God calls us to holiness and we know that in our personal journeys God himself goes before us and with us.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
Copyright © 2007, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.