The Book of Joshua
The phase TIME OUT has several meanings. Let’s talk about a couple of them.
- Take a break while playing a game.
- In A form of discipline for a child.
What is that break used for when taking a TIME OUT from a game or any other physical event?
What happens when a child is put into TIME OUT or sent to their room after doing something they weren’t supposed to do? How can we relate these examples of TIME OUT to the Word of God and our lives? At times, do we need to take a TIME OUT?
TIME OUT to Witness
TIME OUT to Pray
TIME OUT to Fellowship
Jesus always took TIME OUTS to pray. In what ways does God put us in TIME OUT, and why?
Did God ever send anyone to TIME OUT in the Bible?
Jonah was given a mission from God: Jonah Chapter 1: 1-2, the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai. (2) Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me. (3) But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish, He went down to Joppa where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.
TIME OUT: Chapter 1:17, Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.
- What did he do while in Time Out? Prayed to the LORD (Read Chapter 2)
Sometimes, God places us in TIME OUT to humble us, to get our attention, and at times so we do not start taking credit for the victories in our lives.
- Moses and Joshua
Let’s read Joshua 1: 6-9: Do you think Joshua was taking a TIME OUT by receiving instruction from the Lord?
Important points:
- Ver 7 be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
- Ver 8: So not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
If God is with us, as Joshua, why do we fail or struggle to defeat challenging situations, difficult people, and temptations?
- 1 Samuel 17:38-40: David refused to go into battle with Sauls armor because he had not tested or trained with them. He wanted his sling and five stones.
Hebrews 5: 13, 14 states: Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
- Commitment to Christ moves people out of their comfort zones. We must train ourselves to distinguish good from evil.
Are we using our TIME OUTS effectively?
- Paying attention, praying in faith, or as James says (James 2; 23), walking away from the mirror and forgetting what we heard or learned. Or are we failing to apply what we learned because of a lack of commitment to the primary work of the ministry (to be soul winners for Christ Mat 28:19)?
In Ver 9 of Chapter 3: Joshua tells the Israelites to come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.
- Joshua gathered the people to hear the words of the Lord. Their excitement was high. No doubt they wanted to rush on, but Joshua made them take a Time Out and listen. We run all day in this fast-paced age where everyone rushes just to keep up. It is easy to get caught up in our tasks, becoming too busy for what God says is most important-listening to his words. Before making plans, take a Time Out to focus on what God wants from all your activities. Knowing what God has said before you rush into your day can help you avoid foolish mistakes.
Why did Joshua fail to defeat the town of AI the first time around?
Joshua 7:2-5 NIV
Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the region.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. [3] When they returned to Joshua, they said, “Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there.” [4] So about three thousand went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, [5] who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted in fear and became like water.
- Did Joshua fail to take a (TIME OUT) to consult God or wait for God’s direction before going into battle?
- Sin has entered the camp. How did it affect the entire group?
Chapter 7 Joshua 7:10-12 NIV
The LORD said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? [11] Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. [12] That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.
- (Remember what God told Joshua in the beginning)
- Chapter 1:7, Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful in wherever you go.
Is there sin in your camp? Do you need more TIME OUTS? Remember, as Joshua, you are responsible for the sin in your house.
What are some of the things that get in our way of taking TIME OUTS?
Take some TIME OUTS to confess your sins when God reveals them to you (7:19-21), when you fail, refocus on God, deal with the problem, and move on (7:22-25; 8:1). God wants the cycle of sin, repentance, and forgiveness to strengthen us, not to weaken us. The lessons we learn from our failures should make us better able to handle the same situation the second time around. Because God is eager to give us cleansing, forgiveness, and strength, the only way to lose is to give up. We tell what kind of people we are by what we do on the second and third attempts.
They gave Joshua the city. Yesterday’s defeat became today’s victory. Once sin is dealt with, forgiveness and victory lie ahead. With God’s direction, we need not stay discouraged or burdened with guilt. No matter how difficult a setback sin may bring, we must renew our efforts to carry out God’s will.
A SET BACK IS A SET UP FOR A COME BACK
The only way to do this is to take more Time Out and spend it with the Lord.
Rob Henry
Army of Christ
Sergeant First Class
United States Army Retired





