Scott Allen leads todays lesson from Joshua 24:14-27. Except for one stark defeat at Ai due to the unfaithfulness of Achan, Joshua has led Israel to victory over the land of Canaan. The promised land is now their inheritance and homeland. But will they be able to keep it? It depends on a vital decision: whether to return to the false ideas of the past, the failed ideas of the people they have just conquered, or to continue to follow the Lord God alone. God has led them out of slavery and safely through the wilderness. But can a sinful people remain true to a holy God? Joshua holds the people accountable to their promise to follow the Lord God wholeheartedly and warns them to be afraid of what will happen if future generations fail to follow God's commands. For as long as he lived, Joshua inspired the people by his firm decision to follow God and the faithful example he left behind. This was a golden age, but dark times were just ahead.

Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Joshua 14:1-15. Many battles have been won. It is time to divide the promised land into tribal inheritances. Israel's leaders set a positive example by following Moses' prior instructions and fairly assigning large and small allotments to tribes. Caleb, one of two remaining from the original spies sent to scout the promised land by Moses, has been patiently waiting his turn. He approaches Joshua at Gilgal. Not only is Caleb ready to claim what God promised through Moses, but even at 85 years old he retains the physical vigor to fight for it. With a vibrant faith, Caleb reminds believers that, when necessary, we should be ready to contend for what God has promised us.

Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Joshua 6:12-25. Every conquest begins with a first battle. Israel's first battle would happen at Jericho, a formidable city defended by strong walls. A traditional army would seek siege weapons to gradually weaken those walls. God told Joshua to march around the city for seven days without words, with the priests blowing rams' horns. God assured them that the walls would fall when the people shouted on the seventh day. The people followed Joshua's instructions. They did their part and God did His part. The walls fell down and they took the city. God's instructions brought justice to the irredeemable wicked ways of a Godless culture, dooming them to destruction. Yet in the midst of justice, God showed a promised mercy to Rahab and all of her family that entered the house of salvation marked by the crimson ribbon. Even today, we know that God judges and punishes unrepentant sinners, while offering mercy to the humble who turn from sin and place their faith and hope in God like Rahab did.