Lesson 8
Read Mark Learn Bible Studies
Inhabiting the Promised Land
Just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the people of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, "an altar of uncut stones, upon which no man has wielded an iron tool." And they offered on it burnt offerings to the Lord and sacrificed peace offerings. Joshua 8:31
Joshua 8
Review Israel's failure at Ai in chapter 7. Sin prevented Israel from victory and as God's anger burned against them, Israel was defeated. Having dealt with their sin, God will give Israel a second chance for victory.
Read Joshua 8:1-9
1. What commands and promises does God give Israel in this passage?
Read Joshua 8:10-29
2. As you see Israel obey God's command in order to gain the promised success, what do you learn about the importance of keeping God's Word?
Read Joshua 8:30-35
As the covenant is renewed, the Law is given priority. God's intention is to bless his people. Covenant blessings are pronounced on Mt. Gerazim, and curses for covenant unfaithfulness are pronounced on Mt. Ebal. In renewing the covenant, Israel recognises the Law, the blessings and curses for obedience and disobedience, and commits to serve the Lord and keep his Law. For background to this ceremony read Deuteronomy 27.
3. What blessings are promised in Deuteronomy 28:1-14 for faithfulness to the Law?
4. What curses does the Law command for disobedience in Deut. 28:15-68? You needn't list them all, just the ones that stand out to you the most.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus proclaims kingdom blessings. There is no mount of cursing because on the cross Jesus bore the curse of sin. He became a curse for us that in him we might become the righteousness of God. While the Law told Israel what they were to do, the Sermon on the Mount tells the church what we are to be.
5. What do you learn from Matthew 5:1-12 about the qualities Jesus wants to see in his people and the blessings we receive for having the character of Christ?
6. Keeping in mind the curses of Deuteronomy 28, express in your own words what Galatians 3:10-14 teaches Christ accomplished for you on the cross.
7. Read Ephesians 1:3-14 and list the spiritual blessings Jesus has secured for us.
8. Coming full circle, what spiritual principles do you learn from Israel's example of defeat and victory? How will you apply these principles so that you can walk in the fullness of God's blessing secured for you?
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to the one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God! Psalm 50:23
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.
Read Mark Learn Bible Studies
Inhabiting the Promised Land
Just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the people of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, "an altar of uncut stones, upon which no man has wielded an iron tool." And they offered on it burnt offerings to the Lord and sacrificed peace offerings. Joshua 8:31
Joshua 8
Review Israel's failure at Ai in chapter 7. Sin prevented Israel from victory and as God's anger burned against them, Israel was defeated. Having dealt with their sin, God will give Israel a second chance for victory.
Read Joshua 8:1-9
1. What commands and promises does God give Israel in this passage?
Read Joshua 8:10-29
2. As you see Israel obey God's command in order to gain the promised success, what do you learn about the importance of keeping God's Word?
Read Joshua 8:30-35
As the covenant is renewed, the Law is given priority. God's intention is to bless his people. Covenant blessings are pronounced on Mt. Gerazim, and curses for covenant unfaithfulness are pronounced on Mt. Ebal. In renewing the covenant, Israel recognises the Law, the blessings and curses for obedience and disobedience, and commits to serve the Lord and keep his Law. For background to this ceremony read Deuteronomy 27.
3. What blessings are promised in Deuteronomy 28:1-14 for faithfulness to the Law?
4. What curses does the Law command for disobedience in Deut. 28:15-68? You needn't list them all, just the ones that stand out to you the most.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus proclaims kingdom blessings. There is no mount of cursing because on the cross Jesus bore the curse of sin. He became a curse for us that in him we might become the righteousness of God. While the Law told Israel what they were to do, the Sermon on the Mount tells the church what we are to be.
5. What do you learn from Matthew 5:1-12 about the qualities Jesus wants to see in his people and the blessings we receive for having the character of Christ?
6. Keeping in mind the curses of Deuteronomy 28, express in your own words what Galatians 3:10-14 teaches Christ accomplished for you on the cross.
7. Read Ephesians 1:3-14 and list the spiritual blessings Jesus has secured for us.
8. Coming full circle, what spiritual principles do you learn from Israel's example of defeat and victory? How will you apply these principles so that you can walk in the fullness of God's blessing secured for you?
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to the one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God! Psalm 50:23
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.
