Study Desk

I know you are very stubborn. I know you want to live your own way. Look, you refused to obey the Lord while I was with you. So I know you will refuse to obey him after I die.

"Remember the days of the past. Think about what happened so long ago. Ask your father; he will tell you. Ask your leaders; they will tell you.

So he said, ‘I will turn away from them, then let's see what happens! They are a rebellious people. They are like children who will not learn their lessons.

They made me jealous with things that are not really gods. They made me angry with their worthless idols. So I will use people who are not really a nation to make them jealous. I will use a worthless nation to make them angry.

"‘I thought about destroying the Israelites so that people would forget them completely!

Those false gods ate the fat of your sacrifices. And they drank the wine of your offerings. So let them get up and help you! Let them protect you!

So now you may see the land that I am giving to the Israelites. But you cannot go into that land."

" Lord , bless everything Levi has. Accept what he does. Destroy those who attack him! Defeat his enemies so that they will never attack again."

Let the earth give its best to Joseph. He was separated from his brothers. So may the Lord in the burning bush give his best to Joseph.

So Israel will live in safety. Jacob's well belongs to them. They will get a land of grain and wine. And that land will get plenty of rain.

Moses had put his hands on Joshua and appointed him to be the new leader. Then Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom. So the Israelites began to obey Joshua, and they did what the Lord had commanded Moses.

I promised Moses that I would give you this land, so I will give you all the land wherever you go.

"Joshua, you must be strong and brave! You must lead these people so that they can take their land. I promised their fathers that I would give them this land.

So Joshua gave orders to the leaders of the people:

"Remember what the Lord 's servant Moses told you. He said that the Lord your God would give you a place to live. So he has given you this land east of the Jordan River. But now you must help your relatives get their land. Your wives and children can stay here with your animals. But all your fighting men must prepare for battle and lead the men of the other tribes across the river.

Joshua son of Nun and all the people were camped at Acacia. Joshua sent out two spies. No one knew that Joshua sent out these men. Joshua said to them, "Go and look at the land, especially the city of Jericho." So the men went to the city of Jericho and stayed at the house of a prostitute named Rahab.

So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: "Do not hide the men who came and stayed in your house. Bring them out. They have come to spy on our country."

So the king's men went out of the city, and the people closed the city gates. The king's men went to look for the two men from Israel. They went to the Jordan River and looked at all the places where people cross the river.

So now, I want you to make a promise to me. I was kind to you and helped you. So promise me before the Lord that you will be kind to my family. Please tell me that you will do this.

Rahab's house was built into the city wall, so she used a rope to let the men down through a window.