Bible Knowledge

form 1
Chapter 5
ENTRY INTO THE PROMISED
LAND

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Compiled By: Peter Chitaya

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 ENTRY INTO THE PROMISED LAND

OBJECTIVES
By the end of this chapter, the student should be able to:
1. describe Israel’s entry into the Promised Land under Joshua

CONTENTS
• Preparation for entry into Canaan
• Entry into the Promised Land under Joshua

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Israelites Entry into the Promised Land (Joshua 3: 1- 17; 4: 1 –
24)
- From the camp at Acacia the Israelites went to the Jordan where
they camped waiting to cross it.
- Three days later the leaders directed the people to follow the priest
carrying the Covenant Box who would lead their way (Joshua 3:1 -
3)
- The people were commanded to purify themselves because God was
going to perform miracles among them (Joshua 3: 5)
- Joshua was magnified and made commander – in – chief (Joshua
3: 7 – 8)
- Public notice was given on what God wanted to do
The People of Israel cross the Jordan River (Joshua 3: 14 – 17)
- It was harvest time, and the river was in flood
- When the people left the camp to cross the Jordan
- The priests went ahead, carrying the Covenant Box
- As soon as the priests stepped into the river
- The water stopped flowing and piled up, far upstream at Adam, the
city beside Zarethan
- The flow downstream to the Dead Sea was completely cut off
- And the people were able to cross over near Jericho
- While the people walked across on dry ground, the priest carrying
the Covenant Box stood on the dry ground in the middle of the
Jordan
- Until all people had crossed over
Memorial Stones Are Set up (Joshua 4: 1 – 24)
- God asked Joshua to ask twelve people; one from each tribe, to
collect a stone out of the middle of the Jordan, from the very place
where the priests were standing

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 - And then carry those stones with them to where they would camp
that night and pile them as a memorial pillar
- That pillar would remind the future generation that the Covenant
Box and the Israelites crossed the River Jordan on dry ground
because of God
- Then the Israelites camped at Gilgal, where they put the twelve
stones as a memorial pillar. The stones are still there today
- Note that before the priests moved out of the river, Joshua also set
up twelve stones in the middle of the river Jordan, where the priest
carrying the Covenant Box stood. (these stones are still there)
Uses of the Memorial Stones at that time
- To remind the future generations about God’s salvation and His
grace towards His people
- To provide an occasion for parents to teach their children about
God’s power and faithfulness
Uses of Memorial Stones/ structures today in Malawi
- To remind Malawians of the important moments that the nation
went through and are therefore
- A source of national pride and respect.
The Fall of Jericho (Joshua 6: 1 – 27)
The city of Jericho was a fortress with thick walls. The city was believed
to be protected by the gods of the Canaanites. The capture off Jericho
would be the key to Joshua’s victory. It would demonstrate that the
Israelites’ God was superior to the Canaanite gods.
The people of Jericho knew that enemies (Israelites) wanted to attack
hem. Thus the gates of Jericho were kept shut and guarded to keep the
Israelites out. No one could enter or leave the city. Them the Lord said to
Joshua, “ I am putting into your hands Jericho, with its king and all its
brave soldiers” God gave these instructions to Joshua in order to conquer
Jericho

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 - You and your soldiers should match round the city once a day for
six days. Seven priests each carrying a trumpet, are to go in front
of the Covenant Box
- On the seventh day, you and your soldiers are to match round the
city seven times while the priests blow the trumpet. Then they are
to sound one long note. As son as the people hear it, all the people
are to give a loud shout and the city wall will collapse. Then the
whole army will go straight into the city
Joshua called the priests and said to them
- “Take the covenant Box, and seven of you go in front of it, carrying
trumpet” then he ordered the people to start marching round the
city, with an advance guard going ahead of the LORD’S Covenant
Box
- Then they started marching. First in line was the advance guard,
then the priest who were blowing the trumpets. Behind these came
the priests who were carrying the Covenant Box, followed by the
rearguard. All this time the trumpets were sounding. But Joshua had
ordered the people not to shout and not to say a word until he gave
the order for them to. In this way, they marched around the city
once a day for six days as the Lord had commanded
- On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched seven
times around the city in the same way – but this was the only day
they marched round it seven times. the seventh time round, when
the priests were about to sound the trumpets, Joshua ordered the
people to shout and he said
➢ The Lord has given you the city!
➢ The city and everything in it must be totally destroyed as an
offering to the LORD
➢ Only the prostitute Rahab and her household will be spared,
because she hid our spies
➢ Nobody should take anything that is to be destroyed; if you
do, you will bring trouble and destruction on the Israelite
camp
➢ Everything made of silver, gold, bronze or iron is set apart for
the Lord. It is to be put in the Lord’s treasury
Destruction of the City of Jericho

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 - So the priests blew the trumpets, as soon as the people heard it,
they gave a loud shout, and the walls collapsed. Then all the army
went straight up to the hill into the city and captured it. They killed
everyone in the city; men and women, young and old. They also
killed the cattle, sheep and donkeys.
- Joshua then ordered the two men who served as spies to go into
Rahab’s house and bring her and her family out as you promised
her. So Rahab and all her family were taken to safety near the
Israelite’s camp.
- Then they set fire to the city and burnt it to the ground along with
everything in it, except the things made of gold, silver, bronze and
iron
- Finally, Joshua issued a solemn warning, “Anyone who tries to
rebuild the city of Jericho will be under the Lord’s curse. For
example, will lose his eldest son or his youngest son
Unit Review Questions
1. Who succeeded Moses as the leaders of the Israelites
2. Explain how Israelites prepared to enter into Canaan
3. Explain the role of Rahab in the entry into the Promised Land
4. Relate how the Israelites conquered the city of Jericho

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