Choose you This Day…...

Choice 1: Joshua 7-24. “Choose You This Day Whom Ye Will Serve”

1. Read Joshua 10:12-14 and the Institute Student Manual commentary for Joshua 10:12-14,“Did the Sun Really Stand Still in the Heavens?” (pg. 240). Did the sun really stand still in the heavens? Write a paragraph how you could explain these verses to someone who says he or she won’t believe the Bible because of this obvious contradiction with science.

I think anyone who argues this issues probably does not believe in God.  God has all power over the universe.  If he wanted to make the sun revolve around the earth, he could.  Remember that just because you are a prophet, it does not mean that you know everything there is to know.  Besides, Joshua made a statement about what appeared to be happening when one looks outside, not what was actually happening. When we wake up and got to sleep why do we say, “The sun is coming up”, or “The sun is going down”.  The sun is not going up and down!  This is a false statement, therefore we must all be uneducated and unable to understand science.  Why don't we say, “The earth has rotated this morning”.  That would be absurd.  Hence the statement made was about what seemed to be happening to the naked eye, not what was scientifically happening.  

I also think this is a great verse to show the importance of the Book of Mormon in clarifying gospel principles and various aspects of the Bible.  The Lord has given us more of his word, why would you reject it.  

1. Read the chapter summaries of Joshua 7-22. Make two lists—one that identifies Israel’s successes and another that identifies Israel’s failures.

Israel’s Successes	Israel’s Failures
Ambushes and eventually defeats Ai	Defeated by People of Ai
Builds an Altar	Joshua complains
Israel takes Gibeonites as servants	Achan & house destroyed because of disobedience
Israel  defeats Amorites and other cities.	Gibeonites trick Israel into a treaty
The Lord Fought for Israel
Israel conquers whole land
Israel conquers 2 east kings and 31 west
Confirmed inheritance of Reuben, Gad, 1/2 of Manasseh
Land divided up and inheritance given
Drive out remaining canaanites
Tabernacle of Congregation set up
The Lord Fulfills all his promises and gives Israel rest
Israel builds an altar of testimony.

1. Read Joshua 23-24 and the Institute Student Manual commentary for Joshua 24:1-28, “Choose You This Day Whom Ye Will Serve” (pg. 242). What do you think was the major theme of Joshua’s final address to his people? Based on the lists you created from Joshua 7-22, write a paragraph that explains why Joshua chose to deliver his final address on this particular topic.

I think he final address mostly pointed to obedience.  Coupled with obedience is the idea that you have to be on the Lords side in order to accomplish it.  So, so he wanted Israel to choose the Lord and be obedient to him.  He reminded them several times that it was only due to their obedience that the Lord fought their battles and they prevailed over their enemies.  Reading through the chapter headings I noticed that Israel had many successes, but failures came also.  Those failures were all attributed to disobedience.  It is not hard to see the blessings that came to Israel as a result of their obedience.  Obedience brings happiness, peace and a freedom from many of the problems plaguing the world.  A prophet has much responsibility.  I think giving this last speech was his way of making his last effort to encourage his people to pursue righteousness.