God’s Commission to Joshua & Christian’s Alike
1 After the death of Moses the
servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of
Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now,
therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land
which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3 Every place
that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to
Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the
great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the
Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5 No
man shall be able to stand before you
all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be
strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an
inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only
be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the
law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand
or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This
Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it
day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in
it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good
success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good
courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”[1]
At last, the Israelites were to cross the Jordan River and
enter the promised land of God. For generations—in fact, since their birth as a
people (through Abraham)—the Israelites had been either slaves or pilgrims
wandering about the face of the earth. They had no permanent home, no place to
call their own. They had been slaves in Egypt for about 400 years; but other
than the centuries of slavery, they had been mere pilgrims, sojourners—as
foreigners moving about from place to place. They never owned land upon which
they could build permanent homes, establish settled families and businesses,
grow crops, and carry on commerce—not in a permanent, settled environment. They
never knew rest. They were always
having to break camp, move on, and then set up camp—over and over, again and
again. They were never able to settle down and experience rest from wandering about.
But despite this—in the face of their being mere pilgrims
and sojourners upon earth—the Israelites had one great asset: hope. They had the hope of the promised land. God had promised to give His dear people
a great inheritance, the inheritance
of a permanent home, the promised land itself.
And now, that glorious day of inheritance was rapidly
approaching. Their glorious hope was about to be fulfilled. It had been forty
years since Moses had delivered the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, forty
long, hard years of wandering about in the desert wilderness. And Moses had
just died. This was seen at the close of the great book of Deuteronomy (De.
34:1–12). Joshua, the brilliant military commander, and strategist, was now
to take up the mantle of leadership. It was he who was to lead God’s people
into the promised land, to lay claim to their inheritance. All this had already
been predetermined by God and announced to the people by Moses.
Joshua is the bridge that crosses the Jordan River, the
bridge that carries God’s people …
· from the promises given to Abraham to the
fulfillment of the promises (Ge. 12:1–3)
· from the wilderness
wanderings to the inheritance of the
promised land
· from the old
life to the new life
“Let My people go” had been the command of God to Pharaoh, a
message delivered by Moses. Now God’s command was directed to Joshua and the
Israelites.
“Moses my servant is
dead; now, therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people,
unto the land which I do give to them, even
to the children of Israel” (Jos. 1:2).
Keep in mind that Moses had led God’s people through the Red Sea, delivering them from a life of bondage. Joshua was now to lead God’s people through the Jordan River, giving them a new beginning and a new life. Moses had led God’s people through the wilderness wanderings, giving them the great hope of the promised land. Joshua was now to lead God’s people throughout the promised land, laying claim to their inheritance and giving them victory over enemy after enemy.
Norman L. Geisler says this:
Moses led Israel out of bondage, but it was Joshua who took them into
blessing. Moses brought them through the Red Sea, but Joshua took them over
Jordan. Moses is the symbol of deliverance and Joshua the emblem of victory. It
is one thing to be redeemed from Egypt (the world) but quite another thing to
be victorious over the world. Joshua teaches us the lesson that faith is “the
victory that overcomes the world” (1 John 5:4).1
Warren W. Wiersbe says this:
The Book of Joshua is the book of new beginnings for the people of God, and many believers today need a new beginning. After forty years of wandering in the wilderness, Israel claimed their inheritance and enjoyed the blessings of the land that God had prepared for them, “as the days of heaven upon the earth” (Deut. 11:21). That’s the kind of life God wants us to experience today. Jesus Christ, our Joshua, wants to lead us in conquest now and share with us all the treasures of His wonderful inheritance. He has “blessed us with all spiritual blessings” (Eph. 1:3), but too often we live like defeated paupers.2
God has promised the most wonderful inheritance to the believer, an inheritance that is beyond human imagination. But before any inheritance can be received, certain preparations have to be made in order to qualify for the inheritance. This was true with the Israelites, and it is true with us. This is the important subject of the first division of Joshua.[2]
The Necessary Mobilization to Enter the
Promised Land
Allegiance or loyalty is an absolute essential in life. No
group of people can be held together without allegiance, without being loyal to
one another. Even nations and governments demand the allegiance of their
citizens. For example, America challenges its citizens to pledge their loyalty
to the nation and its principles. When confronting the American flag, American
citizens are asked to declare their allegiance:
I pledge allegiance to
the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it
stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Without loyalty, a body of people falls apart,
disintegrates. Loyalty is a necessity—an absolute imperative—to hold together
any relationship. Allegiance is essential with any business, civic, or social
club; with any athletic team, army, spy network, or nation.
The Israelites were about to face the challenge of their lives. They were now to cross the Jordan River to begin their conquest of the promised land. Army after army would oppose the Israelites, threatening to erase them from the face of the earth. The struggle for the promised land would last for years. If allegiance and loyalty were ever called for, it was now. Mobilization was needed—a mobilization of the entire nation had to be carried out in order to march and conquer the promised land. And underlying the mobilization there had to be total commitment, a commitment of allegiance and loyalty. The promised land could be conquered only if the people were loyal, only if they pledged their allegiance to the Lord and His people. This is the message of the opening chapter of Joshua.
This
is The Necessary Mobilization to Enter
the Promised Land.[3]
Of Concern Here are Verses 6-9.
6 “Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”[4]
The great book of Joshua opens with the call of God to
Joshua. Joshua was the chief aide to Moses and the military commander of the
armed forces of Israel. God had already called and commissioned Joshua to
replace Moses upon the death of Moses. Now, Moses had just died, and the people
had been in deep anguish and mourning over his death for thirty days (De.
34:8). As soon as the thirty days of mourning were over, God immediately
spoke to Joshua, restating His call to him[5]
God Issued An Arousing Call To Joshua.
The people’s hearts were gripped with a deep sense of grief
and anguish, broken over the passing of the man who had led them for so long.
Keep in mind that Moses was the Father of the nation Israel. Through the
guidance of God, Moses had founded and established the nation. Moses had freed
the Israelites from Egyptian slavery and given them the law at Mt. Sinai and
led them through the wilderness
wanderings. Despite all the trials suffered by both Moses and the people,
the people respected and revered, even loved, this dear man who was the father
of them as a people. When he died, the people were bound to be deeply affected,
gripped with an intense, perhaps almost unbearable, sense of grief. It seems
that Joshua himself had fallen into a spirit of despair over the death of
Moses, that he was lingering in grief well beyond what he should. For this
reason, God forcefully spoke to the heart of Joshua and gave him an arousing
call: “Moses My servant is dead! Arise! Fill the gap! Take up the mantle of
leadership! Prepare the people to cross the Jordan River into the promised
land.”
It was time for Joshua to arise and cease his mourning over the death of Moses. It was time for him to take up the mantle of leadership and lead God’s people. He was now the appointed leader of the nation, the Commander-in-Chief. Leading the people to claim their inheritance in the promised land was now his duty. And it was time to begin the mobilization. It was time to make the final preparations to cross the Jordan River and actually enter the land that had been promised to God’s people for such a long time.[6]
God gave a forceful charge to Joshua, a charge to be
“strong and courageous” (vv.6–9). Note that the charge is repeated three
times (vv.6, 7, 9).
1) God encouraged Joshua to be strong and courageous in his task, that of leading Israel to
inherit the promised land (v.6). He was the military commander of an army
that faced formidable enemies, and he knew that years of warfare lay ahead.
The land promised by God was a vast territory possessed by a
number of powerful nations whose people were brutal and savage, wicked and evil
to the core. Their “cup of iniquity” had become so full that God was now using
the Israelites as His instrument of judgment against them. In facing such
enemies year after year, the days of warfare and the sight of maiming and
killing could easily begin to wear upon Joshua. God knew this; therefore, he
charged Joshua to be strong and courageous in his task of conquering the
promised land. It was his task to conquer the land and to divide it among God’s
dear people. He and the Israelites were to be the instruments of God’s justice
and judgment against the Canaanites who had become so evil and corrupt.
Throughout the days, months, and years of warfare, this dear servant of God was
to stay the course. He was to be strong and courageous throughout the struggle.
2) God encouraged Joshua to be strong and courageous in obeying God, in obeying His law, His Word
(vv.7–8).
He was to obey everything that Moses had written. Note exactly what God told
Joshua to do with the Word of God:
Ø He
was to obey all God’s
law.
Ø He
was not to turn away from God’s
Word.
Ø He
was never to stop sharing God’s
law or Word.
Ø He
was to meditate on God’s
Word day and night. This would assure obedience.
Ø The
result of his obedience would be prosperity and success. All that he and the
Israelites put their hands to would prosper and be successful.
3) God encouraged Joshua to be strong and courageous in overcoming fear and discouragement (v.9).
Having to face enemy after enemy, year after year—having to make the decision
to send young men, husbands, and fathers into battle time and again who would
be witnessing the bloodshed and horror of battle after battle—all this could
break down the strength and courage of any commander and army. God knew this,
and He cared for Joshua. Therefore, God commanded Joshua to be strong and
courageous in overcoming whatever fear or discouragement attacked him. To
encourage and assure Joshua, God gave him the promise of His continued, unbroken
presence. God promised that He would go with Joshua wherever he went, never
forsaking or leaving him.
There
are two strong lessons for us in this charge given to Joshua.
(1) We must be strong and courageous in obeying God.
We must keep His law, His commandments, and Holy Word. We must never turn away
from His Word; rather, we must meditate on it day and night. If we obey God,
living in His Word, and keeping His commandments, we will prosper and be
successful in whatever we do. Whatever we put our hands to will be blessed by
God. God will give us purpose, achievement, and fulfillment throughout life.
But note: this promise is given only to those who
obey God by meditating in His Word day and night, only to those who do exactly
what He says.
Ø “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and
his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Mt. 6:33).
Ø “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth
them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my
Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (Jn. 14:21).
Ø “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of
liberty, and continueth therein, he
being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed
in his deed” (Js. 1:25).
Ø “Blessed are
they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life,
and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Re. 22:14).
Ø “Meditate upon these things; give thyself
wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all” (1 Ti. 4:15).
Ø “O that there were such an heart in them,
that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be
well with them, and with their children for ever” (De. 5:29).
Ø “This day the Lord thy God hath commanded
thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them
with all thine heart, and with all thy soul” (De. 26:16).
Ø “Keep therefore the words of this covenant,
and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do” (De. 29:9).
Ø “This book of the law shall not depart out of
thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest
observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt
make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Jos. 1:8).
Ø “Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed
to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the Lord charged Moses with
concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed”
(1 Chr. 22:13).
Ø “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Ps. 1:1–3).
(2) We must be strong and courageous as we march
throughout life. Fear and discouragement can be conquered only as we are strong
and courageous. God is with us, and He will never leave nor forsake us. This is
His promise to us just as it was to Joshua. His unfailing presence is always
with us wherever we go. Therefore, we must stand strong and courageous against
all the enemies, trials, and temptations that confront us. No matter how many
crushing problems, tough situations, or difficult people we face—no matter how
many lustful temptations or terrifying trials we face—God is right there with
us. God will deliver us and give us victory over the enemy that confronts us.
We must stand strong and courageous, conquering and fulfilling our task for the
Lord.
Ø “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord,
and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be
able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh
and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of
the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ep. 6:10–13).
Ø “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you
like men, be strong” (1 Co. 16:13).
Ø “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the
grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2
Ti. 2:1).
Ø “I go the way of all the earth: be thou
strong therefore, and show thyself a man” (1 K. 2:2).
Ø “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded” (2 Chr. 15:7).[7]
Prayer,
God, You give us Scripture so that we can know you better. Your
Word is not meant to be a list of instructions, but a way of life that leads to
You. The more time we spend in Your Word, the more deeply we get to know Your
character and nature. Thank you for revealing Yourself to un in this way. In
Jesus’ name, Amen.
[1] The New King James
Version. 1982. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
1 Norman
L. Geisler. A Popular Survey of the Old
Testament. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House Company, 1977), p.93.
2 Warren
W. Wiersbe. Be Strong, p.9.
[2] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 2003. The Book of Joshua.
The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership
Ministries Worldwide.
[3] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 2003. The Book of Joshua.
The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries
Worldwide.
[4] The New King James
Version. 1982. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[5] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 2003. The Book of Joshua.
The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership
Ministries Worldwide.
[6] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 2003. The Book of Joshua. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
[7] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 2003. The Book of Joshua.
The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries
Worldwide.
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