Wait and See The Salvation From God.. Josh11

God has commanded Joshua to take the leadership in riding the land of sin so God's people could occupy it. Joshua did his part thoroughly--leading the united army to weaken the inhabitants. 

When God orders us to stop sinning, we must not pause to debate, consider the options, negotiate a compromise, or rationalize. Instead, like Joshua, our response must be swift and complete. 

We must be ruthless in avoiding relationships and activities that can lead us into sin.

The conquest of much of the land of Canaan seems to happened quickly (we can read about it in one sitting), but it actually took seven years. We often expect quick changes in our lives and quick victories over sin. 

Our journey with God is a lifelong prosses, however, and the changes and victories may take time. It is easy to grow impatient with God and feel like giving up hope because things are moving too slowly. When we are close to a situation, it is difficult to see progress, but when we look back, we can see that God never stop working.

Integrity .. Josh10

Joshua's response shows his integrity. After having been deceived by the Gibeonites, Joshua and the leaders could have been slow about their attempt to rescue them. Instead they immediately responded to their call for help. How willing would you be to help someone who had deceived you, even though you had forgiven him or her? We should take our word just as seriously as Joshua did

The Gibeonites Deceive Israel.. Josh9

When the leaders sampled these men's provisions, they saw that the bread was dry and moldy, the wineskins were split open, and the clothes ans sandals worn out. But they did not see through the deception. After the promise had been made and the treaty ratified, the facts come out--Israel's leaders had been deceived. The oath was not nullified by the Gibeonites trikery.

God had specifically instructed Israel to make no treaties with the inhabitants of Canaan. As a strategist, Joshua knew enough to talk to God before leading his troops into battle. But the peace treaty seemed innocent enough, so Joshua and the leaders made this decision on their own. By failing to seek God's guidance and rushing ahead with their own plans, they had to deal with angry people and an awkward alliance. Once again, they had forgotten to go to God; yet how often we do the same. A new situation arises, and we forget to seek God's wisdom and guidance. When we learn the lessons of the past and apply them to today, wa save ourselves a lot of trouble.

Why did Achan's sin bring judgment on the entire nation?.. Jos7

Although it was one men's failure. God saw it as national disobedience to a national law. God needed the entire nation to be committed to the job they had agreed to--conquer the land. Thus, when one person failed, everyone failed. If Achan's sin went unpunished, unlimited looting could break out. The nation as a whole had to take responsibility for preventing this undisciplined disobedience.

Achan's sin wasnt merely his keeping some of the captured goods (God allowed it in some cases), but his disobeying God's explicit command to destroy everything that connected with Jerico. Achan's sin was indifference to the evil and idolatry of the city, not just a desire for money and clothes. God would not protect Israel's army again until the sin was removed and the army returned to obeying HIM without reservation. 

God is not content with our doing what is right some of the time. We are under HIS orders to eliminate any thoughts, practices, or possessions that hinder our devotion to HIM.