Introduction and Joshua 1
As we look to begin this new study on the book of Joshua, let us be praying for how God can use our time in His Word to discover how we, as men of His Church, can lead with all power of the Spirit that resides in each one of us.
We just finished the Exodus, which led us out of captivity to the Egyptians and into the wilderness. We were led out by the hand of God through many fearful and powerful signs and wonders. God also enlisted the help of an unlikely leader in the stuttering and meek human figure of old Moses. We see Moses as one who asks God to find a different leader to becoming so bold to see the backside of God and having discussions with God! God spoke through Moses in the ways the Israelites ought to go, and through Moses was the Law given.
But from early in the story of the exodus itself, God was raising up the leader that would be the one to succeed Moses and lead the Israelites into the land of milk and honey. The first reference we see this up-and-coming leader is in Exodus 17:8-16. If you remember, this is the fantastic story of the Israelites warring with the Amalekites, and when Moses had his arms raised the Israelites were winning, but when they lowered they were losing. The human leader on the battlefield was Joshua. We see later that Joshua is so trusted by Moses and God that he is the only one allowed to go up the mountain with Moses as Moses is meeting with God (Ex. 24:13). Joshua is seen as faithful to God in that even when Moses returned to the camp after meeting with God in the tent of meeting, Joshua would remain at the tent to make sure no other would enter (Ex. 33:7-11).
But what Joshua will really become known for is what happens in Numbers 13-14. The Lord told Moses to send spies into the land of Canaan, which was the Promised land; a land already granted to the Israelites. This can be seen looking backwards as a test from God, as God would have known the reports that would come of the giants that live in the land. Only God would be able to grant the Israelites such a land, and they would have to trust in Him. Only two spies would come back and have confidence that Israel could occupy the land that was promised: Caleb and Joshua. In Numbers 14:5-10, Joshua gives an incredible speech that will foreshadow his own ministry. In this speech he tears his clothes and completes it by saying “the Lord is with us; do not fear them”. Yet, the Israelites rebel and God curses them saying not one of those currently numbered as an Israelite will see the Promised land, save for Caleb and Joshua.
Fast-forward, the Israelites’ time in the wilderness is drawing to a close as Moses is passing in Deuteronomy 34. As he is dying, he gives a transition of authority to Joshua, his longtime student. Joshua has seen much and taken part of much as he succeeds Moses, and it is well documented that until Jesus there will never be another prophet like Moses. But Joshua certainly has his own story.
The next page in your Bible is the commissioning of Joshua by God. Let’s look at the first section, one of the most famous in all Scripture (1:1-9):
V. 1 “After the death of Moses...”This is not the death of just any leader. This was and is the first leader that Israel had as a nation. This leader teamed up with God to destroy one of the largest kingdoms and armies without ever picking up a weapon. He stood up to what was considered a god in the pharaoh. He listened to the people and was a fair judge, but also stood up for them multiple times in the face of the one true God. He spoke face to face with God and enacted His Law for His glory. He split the sea and led them to victory in battle. This guy is kind of a big deal. To replace a Moses character has to be terrifying.
V. 3 “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon...” I know for me that when I am walking on a place that scares me I often am staring at my feet. There have been times where I know if I slip from this spot, that’s it for me. It is when I look around, though I may see beauty, my heart is gripped by fear. I can imagine going into this land it could be like that: God granted me this, as I walk by giants and fortified cities! It reminds me, too, of when Peter walks on water. When we are focused on God and His promises, we can walk. But when we look at the waves, or in this case the giants, we may falter in fear.
V. 5 “Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you...” Moses was able to defeat a god-king, a nation, and one of the largest armies in the world without picking up a weapon. Unless you consider his staff a weapon.
V. 5 “I will never leave you our forsake you.” This is a fulfillment of a promise made to Abraham and Jacob and Moses (Gen. 17:8; 28:15; Ex. 3:8). Such a powerful promise. Jesus spoke often on the subject of fear, a major being in Matthew 10:26-33 when he says those who acknowledge Christ before men should fear nothing because they are acknowledged before the Father. If Christ, who acknowledges us before the Creator and Name above all Names, is for us then who then can be against us? Christ who answered the question of death and defeated guilt and shame, rising from the dead and raising us with him. Christ who promises to come for those who believe in him in all glory of the heavenly host. What greater promise than that of being joined together as heirs with Christ?
V. 7 “Only be strong and very courageous...” This extra emphasis shows the extreme weight that will be on Joshua as he leads the people. Remember, this people are the antithesis of strength and courage.
V. 8 Does God say “Train with the sword” or “I’m giving you insight to new technology to defeat the enemies” or “These are the battle plans”? No, God says meditate on the Word. It is sharper than any two-edged sword. It is ancient and holy but living and active. And it gives us a battle plan not rooted in actions war on flesh and blood but rather against the forces opposed to the Lord.
With such an emphatic promise and command, of course Joshua will assume command. I wonder how many times in my own life that I need to wash this passage over me. I think how many times I had tried to be bold in the past and had been discouraged by the results. It makes you not want to be bold again. Joshua was in a situation where he was bold once as a spy and the people had rejected him. In fact they wanted to stone him for his courage! But now God was promising that if he can be bold, only strong and courageous, that God would not forsake him but grant him the land on which he will tread. The same is true for us; that when we struggle during our Christian walk, it doesn’t excuse us from being strong and courageous when an opportunity arises. Christians ought to be all the more strong and courageous because we have a Savior that walked among us and a Spirit that has been poured out on all flesh for the betterment and spreading of the faith.
Read 1:10-18 and see how the people respond. They not only accept him but are ready to go to war with him. God is moving in new in powerful ways. Are we ready to go to war, in a sense, for where God is calling our churches to go?