Today we begin a new quarter of study on the book of Joshua. The text is found in Joshua 1: 1-18. Joshua is one of the heroes of the Old Testament. Moses selected Joshua to lead the armies of Israel in a campaign against the Amalekites. It was only Joshua and Caleb that brought back a favorable report when the spies searched out Cannan. Of that generation in the wilderness, only Joshua and Caleb entered into the Promised Land. Upon the death of Moses, Joshua became the leader of the Israelite nation. He led their armies in the conquest of Cannan and oversaw the distribution of the land to the twelve tribes.
The opening words of the book of Joshua are, "Now after." These words connect with the end of the book of Deuteronomy and the death of Moses. Joshua had been groomed for this position of leadership. He had been with Moses and experienced the divine presence. He had demonstrated faith in the presence of opposition. He had been successful in battle. His experience and instruction had led him to this point of leadership over the people of Israel.
The first section is: "Victory Assured." (vv. 1-5) In verse 1, the LORD speaks to Joshua. There had been a passing of the guard. Moses was dead and the LORD had selected a new leader to bring the Israelites into the Promised Land. In verse 2, the LORD positively affirms that He has given the land to His people. This is not futuristic tense; this is a now tense. In verse 3, God makes a promise that everywhere they go, that land will be theirs. In verse 4, the LORD describes the boundaries of the land. God gave the description of the land when He made the promise to Abraham. It was described to Moses as well. Now, Joshua receives the same description. In verse 5, the LORD promises Joshua that no one will be able to stand against him. As God had been with Moses, He will now be with Joshua.
This section presents us with the subjects of the Sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. God had decreed that the land would belong to the Israelites. It was a pronouncement of a final decision. Yet, Joshua and the people were responsible to act in faith. This is how God works even today. He has decreed certain things from eternity past, yet He has chosen to work through secondary causes. Those secondary causes are you and me. We are to be faithful and follow His Word to bring about what God has decreed. Think of the Sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man as two parallel lines that don't cross. They are not inconsistent; they are God's way of accomplishing His will.
The summary points of this section are:
1. God will determine who He wants to be the leaders in His work.
2. If God has decreed it, it will come about.
3. We are to be faithful to walk out His plan. That is our responsibility.
4. "So long as we go forward at God's command, He will either remove the difficulties or make a way through them." (H.A. Erdmann)
The second section is: "Conditions Required." (vv. 6-9) Three times in this section Joshua is told to be strong in the Lord. This was the same charge given to Moses (Deut. 31:7). To be successful, Joshua had to "be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might." Our spiritual battles will not be won by our own efforts, but rather through the power of God. Joshua was to be "very courageous." When you have confidence in God and faith in His Word, you are ready for the battles before you.
Verse 8 is a good Scripture to memorize. We are told:
1. Keep God's law in your mouth.
2. Meditate on it day and night.
3. Do what you read.
4. When you do, you will have good success.
Joshua was to make God's Word a part of everything he did. He was to speak it, walk it, live it, and observe it. If Joshua would be obedient, success would follow. It is the same for us. God has a Sovereign will that demands our responsibility and obedience. We are to "be strong and of a good courage." God doesn't ask us to do the impossible or what is beyond our abilities. We are to be faithful and responsible to walk our lives for His glory.
The summary points of this section are:
1. "Disobedience is always the shortcut to failure." (H.A. Erdmann)
2. We are to meditate on God's Word Day and night.
3. Your ability to be successful is found in the study of God 's Word.
The third section is: "People Respond." (vv. 10,11, 16-18) Prior to the military campaign, the people needed to prepare. In this case, they were told to prepare food and get ready to move forward. They would be crossing the Jordan "to go in to possess the land." Joshua, as a leader, expressed confidence in God's promises and directives. The people's response was heartening. They recognized Joshua's leadership and affirmed, "All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go."
The people were willing to obey, and they pledged, "Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment...he shall be put to death." Joshua was assured of their full cooperation. The people's response was to be fully involved in God's divine plan with Joshua as leader.
The summary points of this section are:
1. It is necessary for people to be committed to God's plan before beginning to act.
2. We are to understand that God requires us to participate with His plan of action.
3. You should be obedient to Godly leadership.
The Golden Text is: "Be strong and of good courage." (Joshua 1:6) Joshua could trust God because he believed in God's promises. The same promises to Joshua are given to you today. We can have confidence to prepare and move forward. We are to be strong and of good courage. We can be victorious today as we trust in God's Word and His promises.
Next week: "Rahab Moved by Faith." (Joshua 2: 1-15)
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