People of the Bible: Joshua & Rahab

Book of the Bible: Joshua 1-6

Who was Joshua?

• He was one of the 12 spies Moses sent to scout the Promised Land (he had a positive report like Caleb did)

• He led the Israelites into the Promised Land after Moses died

Who was Rahab?

• A woman who lived in Jericho, a city in the Promised Land

• She is remembered for her faith and empathy

Once Joshua took leadership of the Israelites it was time for them to enter into the Promised Land. Like Moses had done before him, Joshua sent spies to scout the land. He told them to especially scout the city of Jericho.

When the spies entered Jericho they met a woman named Rahab and she let the spies stay at her house. But someone told the king of Jericho that some Israelites were at Rahab’s house and he didn’t like that so he told Rahab to kick the men out. But Rahab didn’t listen to the king, instead, she hid the men and told the people to go look for them somewhere else.

Rahab did this because she had heard how God was with the Israelites and how he was the one and only God. Everyone in the city was scared of God and the Israelites because they knew they were powerful. After the king and all the people looking for them left, Rahab snuck these two men out of the city and made them promise to not destroy her or her family. The spies agree because she had saved their lives by hiding them in her house.

After the spies returned to the camp they told Joshua that God had given them the land because everyone was already terrified of them. So, Joshua led the Israelites to Jericho and marched around the city for 7 days until the walls fell down. Once the walls fell, the Israelites destroyed Jericho and everyone in it except Rahab because she had shown kindness to the spies.

Key Takeaways:

• Love Others

• Be Kind to People in Need

• God is with you wherever you go

Parents, 3treesKIDS will be covering “Joshua & Rahab", both in-person and online this week.

Be sure to check out their lesson at www.3trees.com/kids.

To find service times and locations, visit https://www.3trees.com/planyourvisit.

People of the Bible: Caleb

Book of the Bible: Numbers 13-14

Who was Caleb?

• He was one of the Israelites that Moses led out of Egypt

• He was one of the 12 spies who went to scout the Promised Land

When the Israelites came out of Egypt, their destination was Israel, the land God promised to give to Abraham’s descendants. There was a problem however, a bunch of other people were already living there. In order to take the Promised Land, the Israelites would have to kick everyone else out.

Before they did this, Moses selected 12 spies to scout the land and come back with a report. One of those spies was a man named Caleb. They went to scout the land and when they came back they all agreed that it was a beautiful place with all kinds of good land and food. But 10 of the spies said they couldn’t take the land because they were scared of the giants that lived there.

Caleb however, chose to trust God.

Caleb tried to convince everyone that they could conquer the land, but they wouldn’t listen to him. All the Israelites agreed with the 10 spies who said they couldn’t do what God had promised them. God wasn’t happy with the Israelites because they didn’t Him so he made them wander in the wilderness 40 years until all the unfaithful people died out before they could take the land.

Even though Caleb trusted God, he couldn’t go to the Promised Land at that time because of everyone else. But God loved that Caleb trusted Him, so He promised that one day Caleb and his family would experience the beautiful land he saw and gave a positive report on. Caleb was only one of two men from that generation who made it into the Promised Land. God rewarded Caleb for being faithful and trusting in Him.

Key Takeaways:

• God wants us to trust Him

• God rewards those who trust Him

Parents, 3treesKIDS will be covering “Caleb", both in-person and online this week.

Be sure to check out their lesson at www.3trees.com/kids.

To find service times and locations, visit https://www.3trees.com/planyourvisit.

That Was Awesome!

Judges 13:1-25 gives us the story of Samson’s parents, and interestingly, it is not Samson’s father, Manoah, who is revealed to be the spiritual thermostat in the household. Instead, he experienced a growing relationship with God only as a direct reflection of his wife's relationship with Heaven.

Although Samson’s mother’s name is not given in Scripture, she is the one who first receives an angelic visitation regarding a soon-coming birth. During her divine encounter, she is told that despite being barren, she will have a son, and he is to observe the Nazirite law from birth – being holy and set apart for God all of his days. She is so excited that she runs to share the fantastic news with her husband! In response, Manoah also began praying to receive proof from God of his wife’s revelation. Thankfully, the angel shows up again, speaking directly to Manoah. First, he responds with worship to the Lord for his goodness. Then, gathering an expensive sacrifice, he lays it on a rock and burns it unto the Lord. It is at this moment that the angel does something very awesome!

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So the woman came and told her husband, saying, “A Man of God came to me, and His countenance was like the countenance of the Angel of God, very awesome…So Manoah (made a sacrifice unto God)— it happened as the flame went up toward heaven from the altar—the Angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar! When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell on their faces to the ground... (Judges 13:6, 19-20)

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Here, a significant transition happens in the original text of the Hebrew language. Up to this point, Manoah’s household has referred to God with the description of Adonai in the original text. But, following the extraordinary moment, they change the term to Elohim. This action is significant! Because Adonai signifies a general relationship with God, but Elohim relays personal – meaningful – connection. Transformation in their relationship with God is taking place! This revelation is so important to understand, as it represents their belief in God’s promise and demonstrates their faith and personal relationship with Him (1).

A meaningful connection was made at the altar that day!

God desires us to have that very moment with us! The moment when we move from a general relationship with Him into a meaningful connection with Him. He wants to do something very remarkable in your life! You can come into covenant with God, and it will be incredible! So stop going through the mundane motions of Christianity. God has more for you! God can move in your life just like He moved in the lives of Samson’s mother and father. Had Samson followed in his mother’s footsteps, maybe he could have avoided his downfall?

It is also essential to give this one final encouragement, as it is not to be missed. In the biographical sketch of Samson, his mother stands out in this story because of her commitment to God. Her faith brought Samson into this world and transformed her husband’s relationship with God. She was a model of faithfulness and attentiveness to God and His Word. If you are a woman or mother in an adverse situation spiritually, never underestimate the significance of your personal relationship with God and how it can affect anyone and everything around you!

I’m believing this for you, for our church, for our communities, and beyond. God is going to do something very awesome – something that changes the description of your relationship with Him from Adonai to Elohim!

Please allow us to help you take your next step with God and join a meaningful community. REGISTER FOR A SMALL GROUP HERE: https://www.3trees.com/groups

I invite you to view this message in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/1oio3Vr_UE4

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE| MESSAGE NOTES

We want to connect with you and help you take your next steps!

1. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This decision is the first step in receiving peace in your life. If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, we would love to celebrate with you at 3trees.com.

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3. Do you feel God prompting you to take your next steps? If yes, BEGIN is waiting for you! You can walk through our ONLINE BEGIN class at 3trees.com/begin

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(1) Anders and Phillips, Holman Old Testament Commentary, 186.