Joshua 10
Leaders Prep Section
Watch this video, read these notes, and send the pre-written email (below) to your group 2-3 days before you meet.
Notes
God’s followers do the right thing and God’s plan is fulfilled. God’s people do the wrong thing and it goes bad. What if just once there was a prolonged, unquestioning phase of obedience and trust on the part of God’s followers? What would that look like?
Group Guide Starts Here
Context of scripture
The kingdom of Gibeon has formed an alliance with Israel, securing a place in their ranks, while five other kingdoms ban together to fight against Israel. These kingdoms were very experienced in war during a time when fighting was largely hand-to-hand combat.
Read Joshua 10: 1-5
The Gibeonite/Israeli alliance put the central plateau of Canaan in Isreal’s control. The five Amorite kings mentioned are from the south and would have wanted to attack Gibeon for two probable reasons. First, to take control of the important Beth-horon pass which runs between the hill country and the Judean wilderness.1 And second, because all of Gibeon’s men were warriors and should be dealt with by themselves before going to war directly with Israel.
The Amorite clans included actual giants. These were the same giants Israel was afraid to conquer under Moses, which led them to 40 years of wandering until the death of that entire generation. There are multiple references to these giants, including the description of the giant king’s bed (King Og) which was 13 feet long and 6 feet wide (Deut: Ch 3).
What do you think is the mindset of the Canaanites leading up to battle?
What do you think is the mindset of the Israelites?
Read Joshua 10: 6-10
Another translation for “the Lord threw them into a panic” is the Lord “terrorized” them – possibly with an incredible storm of lightening and thunder.
God is ahead of the Israelites, impacting the outcome before they even get there. Do you think God still works like this, or was it only like this back then?
Would you believe he’s ahead of you right now, doing something you don’t even know about?
Read Joshua 10: 11-15
The Book of Jashar is lost to our era. However, records from ancient nations in the eastern hemisphere (Greece, Egypt, and others) tell of one long day in their history. Nations in the western hemisphere (American Indians, the South Sea Islanders and others) have recorded legends of one long night.2
How do you think this impacted either side’s view of God after witnessing this? How would it have affected you?
Read Joshua 10: 16-27
Note to leader: ask the group to read the rest of the chapter on their own. It outlines more about the southern campaign. However, leave the rest of this session to discuss this last question.
God repeatedly says, “I have given them into your hands.” Is God shaping reality or is it the actions of his followers that make the difference?