Joshua, Judges, and Ruth: Finally in the Land (MacArthur Bible Studies) - Softcover

Macarthur, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0718034716 ISBN 13: 9780718034719

Verlag: HarperChristian Resources, 2016

Inhaltsangabe

It took more than forty years of wandering, but finally the nation of Israel was ready to enter the land that God had promised them. However, they knew that arriving at the borders was just the beginning, for many battles and many foes still lay ahead. Yet, as Joshua reminded them, they also knew that the Lord had promised to fight all their battles and defeat their foes—through His power, and not their own.

In this study, pastor John MacArthur will guide you through an in-depth look at the Israelites' conquest of the Promised Land, beginning with the miraculous parting of the Jordan River, continuing through the victories and setbacks as the people settled into Canaan, and concluding with the time of the judges.

Studies include close-up examinations of Rahab, Ruth, and Samson, as well as careful considerations of doctrinal themes such as "The Sin of Achan" and the role of "The Kinsman Redeemer."

—ABOUT THE SERIES—

The MacArthur Bible Study series is designed to help you study the Word of God with guidance from widely respected pastor and author John MacArthur. Each guide provides intriguing examinations of the whole of Scripture by examining its parts and incorporates:

• Extensive, but straight-forward commentary on the text.
• Detailed observations on overriding themes, timelines, history, and context.
• Word and phrase studies to help you unlock the broader meaning and apply it to your life.
• Probing, interactive questions with plenty of space to write down your response and thoughts.

Über diesen Titel

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Widely known for his thorough, candid approach to teaching God's Word, John MacArthur is a popular author and conference speaker. He has served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, since 1969. John and his wife, Patricia, have four married children and fifteen grandchildren. John's pulpit ministry has been extended around the globe through his media ministry, Grace to You, and its satellite offices in seven countries. In addition to producing daily radio programs for nearly two thousand English and Spanish radio outlets worldwide, Grace to You distributes books, software, and digital recordings by John MacArthur. John is chancellor of The Master's University and Seminary and has written hundreds of books and study guides, each one biblical and practical. Bestselling titles include The Gospel According to Jesus, Twelve Ordinary Men, Twelve Extraordinary Women, Slave, and The MacArthur Study Bible, a 1998 ECPA Gold Medallion recipient.

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Joshua, Judges & Ruth

Finally in the Land

By John MacArthur

Thomas Nelson

Copyright © 2016 John MacArthur
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-0-7180-3471-9

Contents

Introduction, v, 
1. Investigating the Land Joshua 2:1–24, 1, 
2. Crossing into Canaan Joshua 3:1–4:24, 13, 
3. The Fall of Jericho Joshua 5:1–6:27, 25, 
4. The Sin of Achan Joshua 7:1–8:35, 37, 
5. The Sun Stands Still Joshua 9:1–10:25, 49, 
6. Raising Up Judges Judges 1:1–2:23, 61, 
7. Deborah and Barak Judges 4:1–5:31, 73, 
8. Gideon and the Midianites Judges 6:1–40, 83, 
9. Samson and the Philistines Judges 15:1–16:31, 95, 
10. Ruth and Boaz Ruth 1:1–2:23, 107, 
11. The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:1–4:22, 119, 
12. Reviewing Key Principles, 131, 

CHAPTER 1

Investigating the Land

Joshua 2:1–24

Drawing Near

Name one situation in your life in which you had to completely put your faith in someone or something. How did that turn out for you? __________________________________________________________________________

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The Context

At the close of the book of Numbers, the Israelites were nearing the end of their forty years of wandering in the wilderness. They had destroyed several Canaanite armies, and the Lord's power had become evident to the nations around them. Joshua had led the people to an acacia grove on the east side of the Jordan River, where they prepared to enter the land of Canaan. The first stronghold that stood in their way was the city of Jericho.

Joshua was a strong military leader and wanted information about Jericho prior to facing the city in battle. So, to gain that information, he sent two spies into the city to learn more about its inhabitants and their defenses. We are not told what those spies learned, because in the long run it didn't matter. God's plans for Jericho's destruction did not require any military prowess or human strategies. He would use supernatural means to destroy His enemies. But He would also bring salvation to one particular person who lived in that city, and He would use the spies to reach her.

Jericho was surrounded by two walls, one behind the other. Between those walls were houses that were actually built into one or both walls, and those houses frequently had windows that opened through the city's defensive walls. Such houses were simple and small, inhabited by the city's poor — and worse. Their location near the city gates, for example, would be a perfect place to carry on the business of prostitution. The constant traffic of people entering and leaving the city would be good for business, especially since it would be easy to enter and exit such a house unnoticed. This element of anonymity was also useful for the spies, as it was unlikely they would be noticed entering such a house of prostitution.

In the book of Joshua we will see God work some powerful and dramatic miracles, beginning with the parting of the Jordan River. However, in this study we will witness a miracle of even greater power and drama: the Lord will redeem the life of a lowly Canaanite prostitute. In fact, He will go beyond that miracle and transform this woman of sin into a woman of God — and her descendants will include Jesus Himself.

Keys to the Text

Read Joshua 2:1–24, noting the key words and phrases indicated below.

Spies in Jericho: Joshua begins the conquest of the Promised Land by sending two spies into the strategic city of Jericho to gather information. The spies hide in the house of a prostitute.

2:1. Acacia Grove: This grove was on the east side of the river and was used as a base camp.

CAME TO THE HOUSE OF A HARLOT: The two spies did not visit Rahab's house for any illicit purpose but rather because it offered a good hiding place. They were spies of a hostile army, and as such were at risk of losing their lives if caught. They probably thought that strange men entering a prostitute's house would not be noticed. However, it was actually the Lord Himself who led them there, because He intended to rescue Rahab and redeem her.

4. HID THEM: At this point, Rahab made a risky decision from which there was no turning back. She would have been immediately put to death if the men had been discovered in her house. She had already made up her mind to join Israel and make their God her God.

5. THE MEN WENT OUT: Rahab lied in order to protect the two Israelites, and in so doing probably considered it justified during a time of war. In the Lord's eyes, the ends do not justify the means — lying is a sin, and He never condones it. Nevertheless, God focused on Rahab's faith and her courageous decision to help His people.

6.HIDDEN THEM WITH THE STALKS OF FLAX: Houses in those days had flat roofs that were used for many purposes, including as places to dry grains. Flax was used to make linen cloth.

Turning to God: Rahab saves the spies because she recognizes that Israel serves the only true God, the Creator of heaven and earth.

9. I know that the Lord has given you the land: Rahab revealed her motivation in what she said to the spies. Notice that she mentioned the Lord's name repeatedly. She recognized that Israel's great victories were the work of God, not of men, and she wanted to make peace with Israel's God. In this, she was far wiser than the kings of Canaan.

11. The Lord your god, He is god in heaven above and on earth beneath: This was a profound confession of faith in God. Rahab helped the Israelites because she recognized that their God was the one true God. This was the faith the New Testament writers commended, and it is a testimony to God's grace that even a prostitute could be saved. God did not want to send judgment on the people of Canaan. The tragedy of this passage is that there were so few who repented like Rahab and so many who fought against the God of Israel to the bitter end.

12. Swear to me by the Lord: Rahab also recognized there was no higher oath that God's people could swear than one sworn by His name. The spies would have brought grave dishonor on the Lord's name if they had failed to keep their promise. Rahab already understood the Lord was faithful to keep His promises, so she knew that an oath given in His name by His people would be binding. Later, the Lord would again honor such a promise, given by the Israelites to the people of Gibeon (see Joshua 9:18), even though it would be made without consulting Him.

13. SPARE MY FATHER, MY MOTHER, MY BROTHERS, MY SISTERS: Rahab was not thinking only of herself in this time of crisis. She made it a point to also save the lives of her entire family.

The Scarlet Thread: The spies instruct Rahab how to save herself and her family from the coming destruction by using a scarlet thread. This thread serves to remind us of the Passover sacrifice.

15. SHE DWELT ON THE WALL: Jericho, like other cities of the time, was surrounded by two concentric walls, the inner wall standing on higher ground than the outer one. Frequently there were houses built between those walls, often with windows opening out of the walls themselves. Rahab probably dropped a rope through her window, down the front side of the outer wall, to the ground below. This was an immensely risky undertaking, as the rope and the spies would have...

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: HarperChristian Resources
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2016
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 0718034716
• ISBN 13: 9780718034719
• Einband: Taschenbuch
• Anzahl der Seiten: 156
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: EDITIONS GALLIMARD; ufficio.anagrafiche@meli.it; ; Via Verdi, 8.; Assago Milano; 20090; Italien