| READER 1: |
It's really amazing! Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt. He took them away from slavery and into freedom. But they had to spend FORTY years in the desert. FORTY years!!! In that time they had many adventures. They had ups and downs. But they came to realise that they had to trust in God and trust in Moses, their leader. If they did that, then all would be well.
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| READER 2: |
BUT... God decided that not all those who left Egypt would be able to enter the Promised Land. God had told Moses that the people - His people, the people of Israel - would settle in a rich land, a land flowing with milk and honey. The Israelites were not always obedient, however, so God said that only their descendants would enjoy this wonderful new land. Not even Moses, their great leader and the person with the deepest faith in God, would be allowed into the land flowing with milk and honey.
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| READER 3: |
So there had to be a new leader, a strong man who could take over from Moses and also be a good general for there would be wars and battles ahead. Moses, with God's guidance, chose JOSHUA. |
Whenever the word JOSHUA appears in bold and capital letters, all the readers - and all the school if you wish - should shout the name as loudly as possible.
| READER 4: |
JOSHUA may have been a servant of God but he was a hard and tough character. He knew he was going to have to fight many battles and be a firm leader. He also knew he was going to have to trust in God and in the people.
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| READER 1: |
JOSHUA'S first test was to get the people across the River Jordan. Only then would they be in the Promised Land. BUT... the river was in full flood and impossible to cross. Then just across the Jordan was the city of Jericho. It had strong walls protecting it and would be difficult to capture. JOSHUA had to get thousands of people safely over the River Jordan and then capture the walled city. This was a big task for a new leader, a huge test for him. How would he get on? Would he be up to the task?
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| READER 2: |
JOSHUA told the people to get ready. In three days, led by the army they would go across the Jordan. He sent spies to Jericho to find someone on the inside who would help him and his people. When the day came, the priests carried the Ark, the symbol of God's presence, to the River Jordan and started to walk across. Immediately the water stopped flowing, and the people all crossed over on dry land. It was just like their escape from Egypt all those years ago. When everyone was across, the priests came out of the river and the water flowed again. JOSHUA had met his first challenge.
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| READER 3: |
But now for the city of Jericho. JOSHUA told the priests they were to carry the Ark around the walls every day for seven days, blowing trumpets as they went. On the seventh day they got up at daybreak and marched seven times round the city in the same way - this was the only day they marched round it seven times. The seventh time round, JOSHUA ordered his men to shout as loudly as they could.
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| READER 4: |
So on the seventh day the priests blew their trumpets and as soon as the men heard the noise they gave an almighty shout, the walls collapsed and the army went straight up the hill into the city and captured it. The city was burned to the ground and everything in it was destroyed except Rahab, who had helped JOSHUA'S spies.
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| READER 1: |
There is no archaeological evidence to prove this ever happened but it is a great story - and what a start for JOSHUA! Now he really was leader and could start on defeating the rest of the country. There was to be a long, long period of wars and battles before the people of Israel really settled in their Promised Land. Much was to happen to them over the next centuries.
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| READER 2: |
Christians often see the story of JOSHUA as symbolising something of the life of Jesus:
- Firstly, Jesus' name would probably have been JOSHUA or Jeshua. JOSHUA is the proper Hebrew name for Jesus. Jesus is how the name has been translated into Greek, then Latin and other languages;
- Secondly, JOSHUA brought a new life and new hope to the people of Israel;
- Thirdly, he was chosen to do God's will.
For everyone, however, there are lessons to be reflected on:
- JOSHUA's faith and trust in God;
- His faith in his army and in the whole people;
- His faith in himself - he knew that what he was doing was right.
Something for us all to think about and learn from.
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| READER 3: |
Reads the following traditional African American Spiritual, or it is sung by all.
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls came tumbling down.
You may talk about your king of Gideon,
You may talk about your man of Saul,
But there's none like good old Joshua
At the battle of Jericho.
Up to the wall of Jericho
He marched with spear in hand,
'Go blow them ram-horns' Joshua cried,
'Cause the battle is in my hand'.
Them ram-horns they began to blow,
Trumpets began to sound.
Joshua commanded the children to shout
And the walls came tumbling down, dat morning,
The walls came tumbling down.
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls came tumbling down.
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| READER 4: |
One last time, as loud as you can:
JOSHUA won the battle of Jericho and the walls came tumbling down.
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Repeat / continue the music as the students leave.
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