Joshua 6 & Isaiah 60

Joshua 6
- The city of Jericho shut itself up and no one left or entered the city because they were afraid of Israel.
- God told Joshua to have the men walk around the city for 6 days
- 7 priests shall carry 7 rams horns with the ark on the 7th day and they shall walk around the city 7 times.
- Then the priests will blow their horns and the men shall shout. This will make the walls around Jericho fall.
- The people did as the Lord instructed.
- They blew the horns continuously but weren't supposed to say anything until instructed to do so.
- They spent the night in camp.
- They walked around the city once for 6 days.
- On the 7th day they walked around Jericho 7 times and then the priests blew their horns and the people shouted because God had given them the city.
- The only thing that they should leave untouched is the house of Rahab.
- They shouldn't take anything from the city which would bring destruction upon Israel.
- Everything made of gold, silver, bronze or iron are holy to God and will go in the Lord's treasury.
- They shouted and when the walls fell, all the people and livestock were destroyed.
- Joshua sent in his two spies to get Rahab and her family. She stayed outside the Israelite's camp.
- Rahab would live in Israel with the Israelites because she helped them.
- Joshua said a curse for any man that would rebuild Jericho.
- His curse said - the foundation shall cost that person their firstborn and that person's youngest shall be payment for the gates being hung.
- God was with Joshua and his fame spread.

Isaiah 60
- Their light and the glory of God shall shine.
- Darkness will cover the earth, but the people shall see God's glory in his people.
- Nations and kings will come to the people's brightness.
- Their sons and daughters from afar shall be gathered together and they shall be radiant, thrilled, and exalted.
- Abundance of the sea and the wealth of nations will come to them.
- They shall bring camels, gold and frankincense, and good news.
- Flocks a Kedar will be gathered and the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to them
- How will rams minister?
- God will use these things to beautify His house.
- They shall fly like doves and the ships of Tarshish will bring their children.
- Foreigners shall build up their walls. Is this a reference to the rebuilding in Nehemiah?
- God struck them in His wrath but he will have mercy on them
- Their gates will be open continually and people will bring them gifts.
- Nations that don't serve them will perish
- The wood from Lebanon shall be used for a place for the Lord.
- Those who afflicted Israel will come and bow at their feet.
- God will take them from hated to majestic so that they know He is their savior, redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
- God will give them gold and silver instead of iron and bronze.
- Peace and righteousness will be on them.
- There will be no more violence in the land.
- Salvation will be their walls and Praise will be their gates
- The Lord will be their light, not the sun and the moon
- The people will be righteous and posses the land forever
- God will do all of this to bring glory to Himself
- God will make these things happen

Joshua 5 Isaiah 59

Joshua 5
- The kings of Ammorites and Canaanites melted when they heard God has dried up the Jordan so the Israelites could cross on dry land.
- God told Joshua to circumcise the people a second time with flint knives.
- How is possible to be circumcised a second time?
- All the males who came out of Egypt had died.
- The males born in the wilderness had not been circumcised
- God told the men in the wilderness that they would not see the promised land because they did not obey God.
- Joshua circumcised those who were born in the 40 years in the wilderness
- They stayed in Gilgal until all the men were healed.
- It was named Gilgal because God had "rolled away the reproach of Egypt" in them. Gilgal means to roll
- They celebrated the Passover in Gilgal.
- The day after Passover they ate food from the land and the manna ceased the next day.
- Joshua saw a man with a sword by Jericho and the man said he was the commander of the army of the Lord.
- Joshua fell on his face and worshipped.
- The commander of the Lord's army told Joshua to take off his sandals because the place was holy.

Isaiah 59
- God's hand is not shortened or ear dull, but iniquities have created a separation between me and God
- My sins have hidden God's face from me so he does not hear
- My hands and tongue are defiled with blood, iniquities, lies, and wickedness
- No one can go to the law justly or honestly
- They rely on empty pleas and conceive mischief
- They hatch viper eggs and spin webs
- Men cannot make clothes from spider's webs
- Their feet run toward evil and are quick to shed blood
- Desolation and destruction are their highways
- They do not know peace or justice
- That is why justice doesn't overtake us.
- That is why when we hope for light but get darkness and gloom
- That is why we grope like a blind man along a wall
- We hope for justice and salvation but we cannot find it.
- Our sins testify against us
- We know our transgressions and when we deny the Lord
- We speak revolt and conceive and utter lying words
- Righteousness stands far away
- Truth is lacking
- He who departs from evil makes himself a prey (What does this phrase mean?)
- God saw this an it displeased him that there was no one to intercede.
- God's own arm brought him salvation and His own righteousness upheld him.
- He put on breastplate of righteousness, helmet of salvation, garments of vengeance, and a cloak of zeal
- He will repay the evil deeds of his enemies.
- They will fear the name of the Lord from the west to the east.
- He will come like a rushing stream or the wind
- The Lord declares that a Redeemer will come to Zion to those in Zion who turn from transgression
- God makes this covenant, "My Spirit is upon you and my words will not depart from your mouth or your children's mouths from this time until forevermore"
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Joshua 4 and Isaiah 58

Joshua 4
- Joshua told one man from each of the 12 tribes to take one stone each from the dry land in the middle of the Jordan where the priests stood.
- This would be a sign for their future generations
- They shall tell their children that this was where the waters stopped as the ark crossed the Jordan.
- Joshua also set up 12 stones in the midst of the Jordan where the priests stood until everyone had crossed.
- When everyone had crossed, the ark came too.
- The sons of Gad, Reuben and the half tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed fro battle, 40,000
- That day God exalted Joshua and the people stood in awe of them as they had done with Moses.
- The Lord told Joshua to have the priests come out of the Jordan and when they did the river flowed again.
- They crossed the Jordan on the 10th day of the 1st month.
- They set up the 12 stone memorial in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho
- Joshua tells the people to tell their children that these 12 stones show they crossed the Jordan on dry ground as they had done at the Red Sea.
- This will show all people that God is mighty and to be feared forever

Isaiah 58
- These verses are about fasting according to the heading.
- God seems to be telling Isaiah to declare the transgressions and sins of the people of Jacob.
- God says they all seek Him daily and delight to know Him even though they forsake His judgments.
- They ask God for righteous judgments and delight to draw near to God.
- They want to know why God hasn't seen their fasting or their humblings.
- God says that when they fast they oppress their workers, quarrel, and fight.
- This kind of fasting will not be heard by God on high.
- Fasting should not just be to humble yourself and bow your head low with sack cloth and ashes.
- God wants fasting to be loosening bonds of wickedness and letting the oppressed go free.
- It also to share food with the needy and house the homeless.
- This kind of fasting shall bring light and healing
- This will bring righteousness and the glory of God
- Then God will answer your call
- God says they need to stop pointing fingers and speaking wickedness.
- Then their light will rise and gloom be like noon day.
- Then God will guide them continually, satisfy their desires, strengthen them, and give them water.
- God's waters do not fail.
- If they do these things God will rebuild their ruins and repair the breach for future generations.
- What is the breach?
- They must stop seeking their own pleasure on God's holy day.
- They must make the Sabbath honorable again.
- They must not go their own ways, seek their own pleasures, or talk idly.
- Then they can delight in the Lord and God will feed them the heritage of Jacob because God has spoken.

Joshua 3 and Isaiah 57

Joshua 3

- Joshua took Israel to banks of Jordan and set up camp.
- The officers spent 3 days telling the people that when the see Levitical priests carrying the ark, they should follow it.
- The people should stay 2,000 cubits behind the ark.
- Joshua told the people to consecrate themselves because tomorrow God would do wonders (he was anticipating God to do awesome things)
- The Lord told Joshua that he would do great things through Joshua just like He did through Moses.
- Joshua told the people that God would do great things so they should know God will remove the other nations.
- Joshua said that as soon as the priest's feet touch the waters they shall be held back in a heap.
- When their feet touch the water it stood in a heap at the city of Adam a far distance away.
- Could the people have seen the waters standing "in a heap"?
- The whole nation crossed on dry ground through the Jordan and the Jordan was high at that time due to perennial flooding.

Isaiah 57
- No one cares when the righteous dies
- The righteous man leaves calamity and enters peace (heaven?)
- These verses talk to sons of the sorceress, adulterer, and loose woman.
- God wants to know who they are mocking
- Their children are children of deceit.
- The burn with lust and kill their children.
- They have sacrificed to stones
- They sacrifice on a high mountain, they deserted God and opened up their beds.
- They have journeyed to the king and multiplied perfumes.
- The were weary at the length of their way, but did not say it is hopeless.
- The found new life doing things their way.
- They did not fear God when they lied.
- Their righteousness and their deeds will not profit them.
- God says they should cry out to their idols for deliverance.
- God says that those who take refuge in Him will lifted up.
- Those who trust in God, He will remove obstacles.
- Those with contrite and lowly spirit God sees and helps.
- He will revive their spirits.
- God will not always be angry with them.
- God was angry at the unjust gains and backsliding of the people.
- God will lead, restore, and comfort them.
- God promises peace to the far and near.
- There is no peace for the wicked who are like waves tossing dirt about.

Joshua 1 and Isaiah 55

Joshua 1

- The Lord to Joshua that Moses was dead and that he was to lead the Israelites across the Jordan.
- All of the land they touch will be theirs from Lebonon to the Euphrates River
- The will own the wilderness and the land west of the Great Sea (Red Sea?")
- No man will be able to stand against them.
- God tells Joshua twice to be strong and courageous and to do the commandments God had given to them.
- Following God's laws = good success and wisdom
- Joshua should meditate on God's law day and night = success and prosperity
- God tells him to be strong and courageous and not to fear a third time because God is with him
- Joshua sent officers to tell the people that they'd cross the Jordan in 3 days
- Joshua spoke to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh and said God will give them rest and this land.
- These 3 groups were to leave their families in this land and go help the Israelites fight in the new land.
- After they help their brothers get land and find rest they can return home.
- They all agreed to go wherever he sent them.
- They promised to obey Joshua like they obeyed Moses.
- They added that God be with him as God was with Moses.
- They said that anyone who rebelled would be put to death.
- They ended by saying being strong and courageous.

Isaiah 55
- Starts by telling anyone thirsty to come to me
- They are to come and get wine and milk without money
- He asks why they labor for unsatisfying things
- He says to listen and eat what is good
- He says to listen so they might live
- He will make an everlasting covenant of love like he did with David
- An unknown nation will run to them because of God.
- He says to seek God while He is near
- Let the wicked forsake his ways and thoughts
- The wicked can still return to God and be pardoned
- God says their ways and thoughts are not aligned with His.
- God's ways and thoughts are higher than theirs.
- God's word will not return to Him empty like rain or snow.
- His word will accomplish His purpose and succeed in the thing He sent it for
- They shall be led in joy and peace.
- The mountains, hills, and tress will clap their hands and sing.
- The cypress will replace the thorn
- The myrtle shall replace the brier
- It shall make a name for the Lord and a sign that won't be cut off
- What is "it"?

Deuteronomy 34 & Isaiah 54

Deuteronomy 34

- Moses left the plains of Moab and went up Mount Nebo. From the mountain the Lord showed Moses all of the land promised to Abraham.
- The Lord showed Moses the promised land but told him that he would never go there.
- It says, "he buried him", so God buried Moses and no one knows where Moses is buried even today.
- Moses was buried in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor.
- Moses was 120 and had great vigor and eye sight when he died.
- The people wept over Moses for 30 days in Moab.
- Joshua was full of the spirit because Moses had laid his hands on Joshua.
- The people now followed him.
- There hasn't been a prophet since who the Lord knew "face-to-face" or a prophet who did such great wonders and signs
- It wraps up by saying Moses did great deeds of terror with mighty power.

Isaiah 54
- It tells the barren one to sing for she will have many children (Is this speaking of Elizabeth, John the Baptist's mother?)
- They will need to get a bigger, stronger tent.
- Her offspring will possess the nations
- She will not be ashamed or disgraced. She will not remember the reproach of her widowhood.
- Your Maker is your husband (speaking of Mary?)
- The Lord called her when she was deserted and grieved.
- He deserted her for a moment but will gather her with great compassion.
- God relates this moment like the time when he promised Noah the world would never flood again.
- God now promises not to be angry and rebuke her any longer.
- The mountains and hills may depart, but God's steadfast love and covenant of peace will not.
- God addresses them as "storm tossed" and "afflicted".
- God will make their foundation with sapphires, their pinnacles of ruby, the gates of carbuncles (crystals), and their walls of precious stones
- All of their children will be taught by the Lord and they will have great peace.
- They shall be established in righteousness and far from oppression and fear.
- God won't send strife, and anyone who stirs strife up will fall.
- God says He has created a smith to blow coals and produce "a weapon for its purpose"
- He has also created a ravager to destroy.
- No weapon against them will win
- They will confute any judgment brought against them.
- This is their heritage from God and their vindication (righteousness) from God.

Deuteronomy 33 & Isaiah 53

Deuteronomy 33

- Moses blesses the people before he dies.

- The Lord came from Sinai from the ten thousands of holy ones with fire in His right hand.

- He loved His people and kept them in His hand.

- The people responded by following in God's steps and listening to Him.

- The Lord became their king in Jeshurun when Moses commanded them the law

- God spoke about the tribes

1) Reuben shall be few

2) Judah will bring the people into Him and defend against adversaries.

3) Levi will teach Jacob the rules and laws and burn offerings on the alters. There was a blessing put on Levites' work and a curse on those who rise against them.

- What is Thummim and Urim?

4) Benjamin dwells in safety. All day long, God dwells "between his shoulders"

5) Joseph's land will be the best, and their will be great quality and abundance because Joseph was prince among his brothers. He is majesty and powerful like a wild ox against enemies. Ephraim is ten thousands and Manasseh is thousands.

6) & 7) Zebulun and Issachar should rejoice in what they do. They will offer "right sacrifices" and draw abundance and hidden treasure from the sea.

8) Gad will be blessed and grow in size. Gad chose the best land as commander of the army. He executed the Lord's justice and judgments.

9) Dan is a lion's cub that leaps from Bashan (What does this mean?)

10) Naphtali is full of favor and blessing from the Lord and owns the lakes on the south.

11) Asher's sons will be most blessed and be strong.

- There is none like God. He is eternal and their dwelling place who thrusts out and destroys their enemies.

- Why is Destroy capitalized?

- Israel can be happy because there is no one like them who are saved, shielded, and given triumph by God.

- They shall defeat their enemies.

- Why were Zebulun and Issachar's blessings grouped together?

- Why wasn't Simeon mentioned in Moses's blessings speech?

Isaiah 53

- These verses predict the coming Messiah.

- They are looking for who the "arm of God" has been revealed.

- He will grow up among them but not be majestic or overly desirable.

- He was despised and rejected by men.

- A man of sorrows who knows grief

- "we" didn't esteem Him (Isaiah seems to put himself into that group)

- He has carried our grief and sorrows but we still didn't esteem Him

- Gospel statement = But he was wounded for our transgressions;he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,and with his stripes we are healed.

- He was killed because of my sin to bring us peace.

- We have all gone astray (sinned) every one of us.

- God has placed all of our iniquities on Him

- When he was afflicted he didn't open his mouth. (Christ didn't speak to his accusers)
- He was like a sheep led to slaughter (the cross)
- He was taken away by judgment (the Jews) and stricken for the transgressions of the people (the sins of mankind)
- The made his grave with the wicked although there was no violence or deceit in Him.
- It was God's will to "crush" him and put him to grief.
- His soul will make an offering for guilt (take away the sins of the world)
- He shall prolong his days then and God will prosper his hand.
- Out of anguish of his soul he shall see the light and be satisfied (when he said "it is finished?"
- The "righteous one" shall make many accounted righteous and bear their iniquities.
- God will divide him a portion because he poured out his soul to death.
- He was counted as a transgressor and bore the sins of many.
- He intercedes for transgressors