Bible Chapter: Joshua 5 & 6

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Israel was finally in the promised land.  They celebrated the Passover while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho.  Their ancestors had celebrated the Passover when the left Egypt.  The next day they ate some of the produce of the land, and the manna stopped.  For forty years Israel had received a daily supply of food miraculously provided by God.  Now that they were in the land and there was food available, God’s provision stopped.
    God’s first plan for them in taking the land was the conquest of Jericho.  This was a fortified city that was thought to be impregnable.  They people thought it was protected by the gods of the Canaanites.  For Israel to conquer it through God’s power showed the superiority of God.  God gave them a unique strategy that proved His power.  After walking around the city daily for a week, they shouted praises to God and blew the trumpets.  Those walls that seemed unassailable came tumbling down.  The city was conquered.  The battle plan was revealed to Joshua by God’s messenger, the commander of the army of the Lord.  There is a spiritual battle happening that we can’t see.  God is our protector and victor.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    One of the facts of the conquest of Jericho is that it was the first city they defeated.  God had given specific directions that they were to take NO spoils of war.  It was common for a victorious army to loot the conquered.  Since this was the first, it belonged to God.  This shows us the law of the first things.  Throughout the Bible God always received the first.  This speaks to us today as well.  The first, the tithe of our increase, belongs to God.  Learning to tithe to the Lord is a lesson that makes one stronger in the Lord.  It opens up the path for God’s provision and blessing.  The firstfruits always belong to God.  Some in Israel might have thought it was a waste to let things just lay there, but God wasn’t concerned about that.  They needed to be reminded of this important principle.  Many today ask how they can afford to tithe.  The real question is how we can afford to not tithe.

3.  How can I help someone?
    We can see God’s provision with the manna they ate for forty years.  We see God’s expectation of His people when He calls for the first to be brought to Him.  God has no problem in providing for His people.  We must learn to obey.  That always works best.