Bible Study Questions
Study Questions on the Book of Joshua.. The study questions are broken down into parts. Cover one part at a time. There is no rush so take your time and get into the word of God.
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Getting ready for the Promised Land
1. What do you known about Joshua?
What do we learn about Joshua?
2. Numbers 27:12-23
3. Duet 34:9
4. Duet 1:37
5. Numbers 13
6. Why was Moses unable to lead the people into the Promised Land himself? See Duet 34, Num 27:12ff
Instruction given to Joshua
7. How did Joshua know it was time to go into the land? V3
8. What did God promise to Joshua? V’s 3-7
9. What part was the word of God to have in Joshua’s life and leadership? V8
10. God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous, and not to be terrified or discouraged. How does the Lords presence “wherever he goes” enable him? Would just the knowledge of this be enough? v9
Time to go
11. Why were the Reubebties and the Gadites and half tribe of Manasseh taken possession of the land east of the Jordon? V’s 13-14
12. What are the important facts these events found in Numbers 32
13. What promise do the people give to Joshua v’s 16-18?
14. Why could this promise leave cause for concern in the mind of Joshua?
15. What did they people say they required of Joshua
Part 2 -= Rehab and the spies
1. Can you think of places in the Bible that records lies being spoken?
2. Joshua sent out 2 spies. What had been the result when Moses sent out 12 spies? (Num 13:26-33)
3. Where did the spies stay when they arrived in Jericho?
4. How would Rehabs occupation been potential problem?
5. What does her inclusion in the genealogies of Jesus indicate about her? (Matt 1:5 confirms this)
6. What does Hebrews 11:31 tell us about Rehab?
7. The King of Jericho wanted to arrest the 2 spies, how did Rehab stop this happening? (see V3,4)
8. Rehab lied in order to hide the spies. Was this a suitable moral response Yes/No explain your answer.
9. What elements of true knowledge about God does Rehab demonstrate in verses 8-12?
10. What is her request and how unlikely was it she wNEould be spared? Vs 12-13
11. The spies made a promise of protection for Rehab but it was only binding if she tied a scarlet cord on her window. What does this cord represent in her life?
12. Where was the only safe place of protection for Rehab and her family? v19
13. Can you think of other Biblical events with a restrictive nature to the application of success?
14. What is the report of these spies to Joshua in verses 22-24?
1. Do we have to understand what God is doing to comply with His instructions? explain
Part Three – Crossing the Jordan 3:1-17
2. What are the instructions for moving given to the people?
3. Why did the priest have to carry the Ark? V3
4. What is the importance of the Ark going before them? See verse 11
5. What is the miracle in trip and how does it compare with the red sea event? See Exodus 14 :15-23
Chapter 4 1-24 About the stones
6. What are the instructions of verses 1-3?
7. What are the stones going to do? See verse 6
8. What are they to tell children about the sign of the stones? See verse 7 and 21-24
9. How did these actions of God speak about God? See verse 24
10. Where had Joshua got the instructions for these stones of remembrance? See Verse 11
11. How many crossed over armed for battle? see verse 13
12. What did God do for Joshua that day? See verse 14
13. What did the return of normal water patterns show in verse 18?
Chapter 5: 1-12 – Circumcision at Gilgal
14. Why did the Kings of the Amorites lack the courage to take on the Israelites? See verse 1
15. Why did the Israelites need to be circumcised again? Verse 2 and verse 7
16. What does verses 3-7 indicate to us about the spiritual state of Israeli in the desert wilderness?
17. What is the reproach God rolled away? see verse 9
18. When did the manna stop and why see verses 11-12
Part Four – Placing the stones 4:1-24
1. Looking back to 3:16-17 why were the priest in the middle of the Jordon?
2. What stones were they to take? Verse 3
3. Where were they to be placed and how would this location be different from the previous location? Verse 3
4. What are the stones going to do in the future? Verses 6-7 and 22-24
5. What would be the signifance of the Lord exalting Joshua in front of all the people? Verse 14
6. What was the significance of the ark’s presence with the priests? Verse 15
7. Why did the water continue to flow? Verse 18
Looking at verse 5:1-12 Circumcision
8. What was the effect on the Amorite and Canaanite Kings on the news of Gods work in drying up the Jordan? Verses 1-2
9. Why did Joshua have to circumcise the Israelites again? Verse 2-8
10. What is the importance of circumcision in the covenant of God? See Gen 17:1-10 and Rom 2:29
11. What principle can we note from the need to circumcise the nations of spring of the dessert years?
1. How true is the statement if God is for us who can be against us?
Part 5 the fall of Jericho chapter 5:13- 6:27
Looking at verses 13-15 – Commander of the Lord’s army
2. What unusual event takes place?
3. Who is this commander likely to be and what evidence is there to support your answer?
Looking at verses 1-5 – Instructions given
4. What are the instructions?
5. Would it require faith to follow these instructions? Explain
Looking at verses 6 -14 The march round x 6
6. What is the significance of the ark during this march?
7. Was there any real difference in the first six days of marching?
Looking at verse 15-27 – The walls collapsed
8. If Joshua had changed God’s instruction what would have happened?
9. Just how much of a miracle was this collapse of the wall?
10. What was to be done with the city? See verse 17
11. Was the promise to Rehab kept? See also verse 22-23 and 25
12. What was the danger in this city? See verse 18
13. What would be the cost of rebuilding this city? See verses 26-27
14. How might these event picture Jesus words. “ I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it”?
Part 6 Achan’s Sin Chapter 7
1. Can you think of any Biblical examples of individuals not doing what God has instructed and what seems to be the motivation
2. Why did the Lords anger burn against Israel when the sinners were a limited number? - Verse1
3. What was the spy’s report? - Verses 2-3
4. What is the reaction to defeat? – verses 4-9
5. What is the reason for Israel’s defeat and what are the implications to our walk with the Lord? – verses 10-13
Looking at verses 14-26 The Investigation
6. What is to be the consequence of the violation against the Lord? – verses 14-15
7. What was the motivation of Achan to sin against the Lord? - Verses 19-21
8. How does this fit in the pattern of sin described for us in James? 1:13-15
9. We probably are shocked by the punishment this sin extracted. However what does this punishment indicate about sin and its potential consequences? – verses 22-26 also consider Acts 5:1-5 & compare
Looking at the confession -
10. Was there any possible value to Achan and his family by his ready confession and directing to the stolen property?
11. Joshua ask why have you brought trouble on us. The sins of individuals had consequence corporately.. How can individuals working against God affect the whole of the local church?
12. How are we to deal with issues of this nature in the church today? (see Mat 18:15-18, 1 Corin 5:1-5
13. What was the advantage to the people of Israel? – verse 26
The warning for future generations
14. The place of Achan’s remains was known as the Valley of Achor (means place of trouble)
1. How can we call God a God of love when he condemns people for destruction? (try to give Biblical support)
Part 7
- Chapter 8 Continuing to enter the promised land
Looking at verses 1-29 - Ai destroyed
2. First read the account of verses 1-29 and note your reactions to these events?
3. Why did Joshua know the mission would be a success? Verses 1-8
4. If God was going to give victory why did Joshua have to run a clever campaign?
Looking at verses 30-35 – Sacrifice and Law of Moses read to all
Joshua carries out the instruction of Moses ( Deuteronomy 27:1-29).Read Joshua 8:30-35 and Duet 27:1-29
Looking at Duet 27:1-28 Mosses instructions
5. What kind of land was the Lord giving to them? Verse 3
6. How does this relate to the promise of the future Kingdom?
7. They were to give burnt offerings verses 6-7, In the New testament era how do we give sacrifice to the Lord?
8. How does one rejoice in the presence of the Lord? Verse 7
9. What does Mosses make clear to the people about their responsibility as God’s people? Verse 9-10
10. Why is God so keen for the law to be re- written and reminded of at this time? verses 11-13
11. The tribes of Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin were to do what? Verse 12 and what do these tribes have in common?.
12. The: tribes Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali. Were to do what? Verse 13
13. What is the content of this curse and who will be responsible should it be enacted? Verses 14-26
Part 8 - Chapter 9: 1-26 The Gibeonite's
What was the response pof the Kings of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites to the destruction of Jericho and Ai? Verses 1-2 and 11
What was the plan of the Gibeonite’s? Verses 3-6
What knowledge did they have of God and His work for the people of Israel? Verses 7-10
Why was it necessary to pretend to be from far of land?
Where did the people of Israel go wrong in their dealings with the Gibeonite’s? verse 14
How can we enquire of the Lord today?
When the men of Israel found out they had been deceived they di not destroy the Gibeonite’s. Why not? Verses 18-19.
What does the Age of Grace require of the Oath giver? (try and give Biblical support for answer)
What role were they to have? Verse 21
Why did the Gibeonite’s deceive them? Verse24
The Gibeonite’s became the servants of Israel but saved destruction of themselves. Would the Gibeonite’s benefit from being servants of this nation of God? See Psalm 84:10
Part 9 - Chapter 10 1-28
1. Explain what Jesus meant in Matt 10:28?
Looking at verses 1-15- The Sun Stands Still
2. Who was responsible for the battle which took place? Verses 1-3
3. What seems to be the motive for the attack on the Gibeonite’s? and what lies behind this motive?
4. What other options were open to these people?
5. What role did the Lord have in the battle? V 7-12
6. Why did the sun stand still? V’s 12-13
7. What would science say about the possibility of the sun standing still?
8. Is this command of Joshua something we should expect to happen if we command the sun and the moon to stay still? Explain.
9. When Jesus spoke of moving mountains by prayer, did He intend that we do so?
10. What was the unique event recorded in Luke 23:45 about the sun?
11. What was the response to this event (along with all else they saw and heard) Luke 23:47=48?
12. What were some of the things Jesus did which demonstrated His authority over the creation?
13. Do these demonstrations of sovereignty over creation give support to the scriptures claims of creation of by Jesus. John 1:2-3? explain
Looking at verses 16-28 The killing of the five Kings
14. How might you try and justify the killing of the five Kings v’s 16-28
Part 10 - Chapter 10 29 – 11:1-22
Looking at verses 29-43 – Joshua conquers the Southern Kingdom
1. What common threads do we find in each of these battles?
2. Why is Joshua successful in these battles? Verse 41
Looking at Chapter 11:1-22 – Joshua conquers the Northern Kingdom
3. What response did Joshua find in the North in verses 1-5?
4. Why was Joshua able to attack with confidence against defending armies? See verse 6
5. How long did all take until the peace (22) that God gave Israel? See v 18
6. Why did the other nations not seek treaties with Israeli? See verses 19-20 compare with Romans 1:24 for last question
7. How does Joshua complete the instructions God had given to Mosses? See verses 12,16,23
Related Biblical background to Gods destruction of sinners
8. What can we conclude about these cites from in Gen 18:16-33?
9. A/Why God was going to destroy these cities?
10. b/ Gods response to Abrahams pleading?
11. What can we conclude about these cites from Jonah chapter 3?
12. Jesus said He would build his church & the gates of Hades would not prevent it. Does Gods hand in the destruction of these anti God nations help to see this spiritual concept in the physical? Explain
13. Using your own words how do these events picture the gospel and the finale judgement to come?
Part 11 - Chapter 12 – 20:9
Read Chapters 12 to 19 – Land still be conquered and the land to be divided
1. Your question for this section is to list points of interests and note any questions for possible discussion.
Looking at 20:1-9 City of refuges
2. Details of these cities are found in Numbers 35
3. How many cities of refuge are there to be Numbers 35:6?
4. Who are the cities of refuge set for? Num 35:9-11
5. Who is the refugee to be made safe from? Num 25:12
6. Under the Old Covenant who has the role of execution? See Num 35:19
7. How many witnesses are required before anyone be put to death for a murder? See Num 35:30
8. Joshua 20 make it clear they must stand trial, what criteria must the court use? See Num 35:16-33
9. In your own words describe the difference between a murder and an accidental killing?
10. How long does the accidental killer have to live in the city of refuge before they can safely leave to go home? See Num 35:26
11. In the event of being found guilty at the trail who would then implement the death penalty?
12. Was the blood avenger (Kinsmen redeemer guilty of murder themselves?
13. Are there any principles we can draw from these O.T Covenant laws for today?
14. Christian come down both sides of the execution debate. Would you like to see the death penalty in this country? Yes or No and try and support your answer with the Bible.
Part 12 - Chapter 21:1-45 – 22:1-34
1. Why does the big picture of the universal church suffer, when local bodies fail God by not walking in the ways of the LORD?
Looking at Chapter 21 - The Levites
2. What was the role of the Levites in God’s plan for Israel? - See Duet 33:10
3. Who has the role in the Age Of Graces? - (Give bible support if you can)
4. What did the priest receive in the giving of towns? - See verses 41-42
5. What do we learn about Gods promises to Israel at this time? - See verse 43-45
6. Apart from these towns what was the Levites inheritance in the Promised Land?
7. If we take the principle from Old Testament plan for the upkeep of the priesthood and apply it to the pastoral and teaching leaders of today, What would be our obligation in Christian era. – (show Bible support if possible)
Looking at Chapter 22 - Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh go home
8. Why were these tribes allowed to go back to the land they had received? See verses 1-5
9. What is the warning given in verse 5?
10. What was the first mistake the rest of Israel thought that the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh made? See verse 10 & 16, and 19
Please Turn over for rest of questions
11. If they did build a alter against the Lord how serious would this have been?
12. Are there times in the history of the nation that alters not of the Lord were built?
13. How might we in the age of grace build alters not unto the Lord?
14. Why in fact did they build their alter?
Reason 1 - see verses 22-25
Reason 2 - see verses 26-29
15. What was the reaction and response of Phinehas and Eleazar on this occasions?
16. How can we in the age of grace approach a church that has left the path of Christ.
17. What is the deciding factor in choosing identification with churches in the age of grace?
Part 13 - Chapter 23:1- to 24:1-33
Looking at 21:1-14 – The death of Joshua
1. What are the conditions given to the people in order to live & prosper in the land? (See verses 6-11)
2. What is the New Testament equivalent of this?
3. What is the kind of lifestyle choices that will lead to their removal? (See verses 12-13)
4. Find Biblical examples of Israel failing to live up to these requirements and losing the land
5. What is the New Testament equivalent of disobeying God?
6. What evidence does Joshua offer in support of the claim for potential of losing the land? (See verses 14-16)
7. Jesus teaches that we cannot serve two masters, why is this so? (See Matt 6:24)
The burial of Joshua see chapter 24:28-34
8. What interesting information do we find out about in this section?
Looking at 24:1-27 – Covenant Renewed
9. Looking at verses 14-15 what does Joshua call on the people to do?
10. What is the people’s choice in verses 18 and 21 and 24
11. What does Jesus call people to do in Luke 14:25-35 and Matt 16:24-28?
12. What do they become in regard to the choice made? See verse 22
13. Do you think they understood what they had promised? Give reasons
14. Verse 23 calls on them to throw away Gods of other nations. Is this call still relevant today? Explain
