JOSHUA: EXAMPLE OF OBEDIENCE AND FAITH
Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 31:7 - And Moses called Joshua, and said to him in the eyes of all Israel, Be strong and be of good courage, for with this people you shall enter into the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, and you shall do it. inherit it.
Joshua 1:1 and 7- It came to pass after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord that he spoke to Joshua... Only be strong and very courageous, that you may be careful to do according to all the law (holy scriptures), that my servant Moses commanded you, do not turn aside from it, either to the right or to the left, that you may have success wherever you go.
Introduction: Joshua, was a Leader chosen by the Lord, to finish the Mission given to Moses: to lead the Israelites to the dominion of the promised land. Moses for forty years was at the head of the people. But it was up to Joshua, after the death of Moses, to lead the people in search of what God had promised: the possession of the promised land.
What characteristics were decisive for Josué's success?
Joshua, was a man filled with the Spirit of God, and extremely obedient to God (Num. 27:18-Deuteronomy 34:9). The Book of Joshua is a continuation of the Pentateuch (the first 5 books of the Bible: authored by Moses). It was up to him to prepare the people to enter Canaan. And also conquer it and populate the earth. The approximate biblical date of Israel's invasion of Canaan was 1450 BC.
The book of Joshua covers approximately 25 to 30 years of history, and tells how God "gave ..to Israel all the land which he had sworn to give to their fathers" (Joshua 21:43).
The personal background that made Joshua a person qualified for such a task: Joshua lived the oppression that the Egyptians imposed on Israel, he witnessed the ten plagues used by God to deliver his people, he celebrated together with his brothers the first Passover (Passach =Passage), He crossed the Red Sea on dry feet. Miraculously he saw the sea split and passed along with his people. He led fights and defeated enemy peoples. He miraculously crossed the Jordan with all the people (God caused the waters to subside so that they could pass over - Joshua ch 1, from verse 10). He was an eyewitness to all the signs performed by God among his people. He served Moses as a commander in battle against the Amalekites shortly after leaving Egypt (Ex 17:8-16). He alone accompanied Moses on the ascent of Mount Sinai, when God gave Israel the Ten Commandments (Ex 24:12-18). As Moses' helper, he displayed intense devotion and love for God, and he often remained in the Lord's presence for a long time (Ex 33:11). He was a man who delighted in the holy presence of God. At Cates Barnea, when the ten spies presented a report, after they had returned from seeing the land, in fear, he and Caleb energetically condemned the people's unbelief (Numbers 14), for they believed that God would give them the victory. Joshua proved to be a man of Faith, Courage, Loyal, Obedient, Prayerful and dedicated to God and his word. Joshua died about 1375 BC. C, at 110 years of age (Joshua 24:29), after fulfilling all that God expected of him.
What Lessons Can We Learn from Joshua?
First, that every Christian must trust God with all his heart. He must be persevering. Use faith and obey even without understanding anything. We learn from him too, that every Christian should value the word of God. Keep it in your heart and practice the commandments of the Eternal. We learn from him the value of faithfulness to God and friends. We learn the value of prayer. In investing time to be in the presence of God and depend on the Eternal. We learn from him the value of wisdom (Deut 34:9), We learn from him that a Leader needs to prepare himself to be able (Ex 17:9-13).
Conclusion: Like Joshua, he was totally dependent on God. Our lives depend on Christ. Only in Christ and through Christ will our victory be assured. Christ makes us triumph, because he is victorious in everything he does. There is always a promise of victory to say, "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of testimony..." (Rev. 12:1).
to be victorious, we need to take the same stance taken by Joshua 3,400 years ago: 'As for me and my household, we will serve God' (Joshua 24:15). Choosing to serve the Lord made all the difference in Joshua's life. , and it makes all the difference in our lives. This is the secret to being victorious. Serving the Lord and following his commandments is paramount in the life of any Christian.
There is no other way for us to be victorious. Joshua's victories are recorded in his Book.
Our victories are written by God, and witnessed by men, as we give ourselves to the Lord, without reservation.
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