26: Israel renews its commitment to the Lord (Josh 24:1 – 28)

They committed to serving the Lord at Shechem. However, it seems that they didn’t know who the Lord was. 

πŸ‘‰ Read Joshua 24:1 - 28


Q1. (1 – 13) The Lord Himself recounts His gracious deeds for Israel. He called Abraham from a house of (          ) and gave him many descendants (2-4). He delivered them from Egypt and miraculously rescued them at the (            ) (5-7). On the east side of the Jordan, He defeated the two Amorite kings for them and thwarted (           )’s attempt to curse them (8-10). He handed over the Canaanite nations to Israel and allowed them to enjoy the harvests they had not (           ) for (11-13).

The Lord Himself recounts His gracious deeds for Israel. He called Abraham from a house of ( idolatry ) and gave him many descendants (2-4). He delivered them from Egypt and miraculously rescued them at the ( Red Sea ) (5-7). On the east side of the Jordan, He defeated the two Amorite kings for them and thwarted ( Balaam )’s attempt to curse them (8-10). He handed over the Canaanite nations to Israel and allowed them to enjoy the harvests they had not ( labored ) for (11-13).

The Lord our God always gives us more than we ask or expect. Although Esau was not the covenant heir, the Lord still gave him Mount Seir as his inheritance. Through His miraculous and careful providence, the Israelites came to know who the Lord truly was, especially at the Red Sea. The Lord not merely rejected Balaam's request to curse Israel but even caused him to bless them instead. Furthermore, the Lord gave Israel the houses and the harvests they did not labor for on top of the promised land. 



Q2. What is the natural and proper response as we have experienced God’s grace as in verses 3 – 13?

Obey God’s words and worship Him only (14)

Regardless of everyone else, I will worship the Lord (15)



Q3. What were the reasons that they swore to serve the Lord only? (16 – 18)

The Lord saved us, protected us, and gave us this land. 

Their reasons are a bit simple compared to what God had done as in verses 3-13. If protection and blessing are their only reasons for seeking God, they would serve other gods if those gods offer more blessings.



Q4. Although they claimed they would serve the Lord, Joshua said they would not continue worshiping Him because they did not truly know who the Lord was. What are the two key attributes of the Lord that His worshippers must understand?

He is holy and jealous.

Without a righteous and holy life, God will not accept our worship. We must also dedicate ourselves exclusively to the Lord, just as He is wholly devoted to us. The Lord Himself should be the reason for our worship, not His blessings. If blessings are our motivation, we will turn away from Him when He disciplines us to make us pure and holy. 



Q5. The people said to Joshua, “We will worship the Lord (            ) and obey Him.” That day drew up an (          ) for the people, and he established rules and regulations for them in (          ). 

Our God, agreement, Shechem



The two attributes of God explain the cross. He is so jealous and passionate to make us holy even to the point of letting His Son die to cleanse us. If that is the case, how much more certain is it that He will discipline us until we grow up to the measure of Christ, even when we serve Him wholeheartedly! Without knowing Him, one cannot continue to serve Him.

Commit to entrust your life to His hand though He would discipline us, for His will is always good for us.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

15: They repented for the first time, But... (Judges 10:1 – 18)

They repented before the Lord, but He was not willing to deliver them because He knew their irresistible tendency toward idol worship. Read Judges 10:1 - 18 Q1. After the death of Abimelech, Tola rose up to (             ) Israel and (         ) Israel for 23 years. After him, (             ) rose up and (           ) Israel for 22 years. The towns he and his sons ruled were collectively called (                   ). Both (          ) and were buried in their hometowns. Answers πŸ‘‰ After the death of Abimelech, Tola rose up to ( deliver ) Israel and ( led ) Israel for 23 years. After him, ( Jair  ) rose up and (  led  ) Israel for 22 years. The towns he and his sons ruled were collectively called ( Havvoth Jair ). Both ( died ) and were buried in their hometowns. They "rose up." While there is no explicit mention that the Lord appointed them as judges, this does not necessarily mean they assumed leadership on their own.  Tola appears to have risen to deliver Israel du
Read more

25: ‘Tell us plainly’ vs ‘The Father and I are one.’ (John 10:22 – 42)

As Jesus announced the Father and Jesus were one, the Jewish leaders tried to stone him. πŸ‘‰ Read John 10:22 - 42 Q1. Why did the Jewish leaders not believe in Jesus? Answers πŸ‘‰ They refused to believe in Jesus, for they were not Jesus’ sheep. ‘you refused to believe.’ This tells their willing refusal.  Note that Jesus Himself doesn’t call Himself the Messiah. Instead, He called Himself the One sent from God. He focused on doing the Father’s works and proclaiming His words. From Jesus’ works, they could have concluded that He was the Messiah sent from God. But they refused to admit it. Instead, they asked Jesus to admit His identity as the Messiah plainly, which Jesus wouldn’t do. Q2. They asked Jesus if He were the (           ). But Jesus claimed that the (          ) and He are one. Because of this, they condemned Him of (             ) and tried to stone Him. Answer πŸ‘‰ They asked Jesus if He were the ( Christ ). But Jesus claimed that the ( Father  ) and He are one
Read more

13: Abimelech: The Rise of a Self-Appointed Leader (Judges 9:1 – 21)

All the judges in the Book of Judges were chosen by God. However, Abimelech claimed kingship on his own. The people of Shechem supported him but did not truly follow him. Although they appeared to act out of loyalty to their kin, they were ultimately pursuing their own interests. This alliance would ultimately lead to mutual destruction. Read Judges 9:1 - 21 Q1. Why did the people of Shechem follow Abimelech? (2-3) Answers πŸ‘‰ Abimelech was their close relative. His mother was from Shechem.  Q2. The people of Shechem gave him (                 ) silver coins. And he hired some (            ) men and killed his (             ), seventy sons of Jerub Baal, on (              ).  Answer πŸ‘‰ The people of Shechem gave him ( seventy ) silver coins. And he hired some ( lawless ) men and killed his ( brothers ), seventy sons of Jerub Baal, on ( one stone ). Take note of expressions that emphasize brotherhood, such as “our own flesh and blood” and “He is our close relative.” Alt
Read more