Lesson 152 - Senior
Memory Verse
"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest" (Joshua 1:9).
Cross References
I Joshua's Promotion to Leadership
1. Moses was not permitted to go into the Promised Land, [NUM:27:15-17]; [DEU:31:14].
2. God directed Moses to give Joshua the commission of leadership, [NUM:27:18-19]; [DEU:31:7], [DEU:31:23].
3. A greater measure of the Spirit of God, wisdom, and honour came to Joshua, and the Children of Israel hearkened unto him, [NUM:27:20-23]; [DEU:34:9]; [ACT:6:6]; [1TM:4:14].
II God's Promises to Joshua
1. After Moses' death, the Lord commanded Joshua to lead the people over Jordan into the Promised Land, [JOS:1:1-2].
2. God promised to give the Children of Israel every place that the sole of their foot should tread upon, [JOS:1:3-4]; [JOS:14:9]; [DEU:11:24].
3. Joshua was encouraged to be strong and of good courage, [JOS:1:5-6]; [ROM:8:31], [ROM:8:37]; [HEB:13:5].
4. Joshua's prosperous way and good success came as he kept God's law and meditated therein, [JOS:1:7-9]; [DEU:29:9]; [PS:1:1-3].
III The Preparation to Cross Jordan
1. Within three days after Joshua received God's instructions, the Children of Israel were prepared for Jordan's crossing, [JOS:1:10-11]; [JOS:3:2].
2. The Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh were reminded of their pledge, [JOS:1:12-15]; [NUM:32:20-22].
3. These tribes subscribed the same loyalty to Joshua as to Moses, [JOS:1:16-18]; [ROM:13:1-5].
Notes
As we read the final chapter of Moses' life, the Bible gives us one more glimpse of the spiritual greatness of that man of God. Moses knew that Israel would soon go into the Promised Land and that he could not go with them. As a true shepherd of the people, Moses' last concern was that God would set a man over the congregation, "Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd" (Numbers 27:17). The thought of Israel wandering about with no one to lead and instruct them was more than Moses could bear.
God's Choice
To lead the Children of Israel and to conquer Canaan were both difficult tasks; therefore a man was needed to replace Moses a man who knew God and who would follow His directions absolutely. There was such a man in the camp a man who had long before shown his courage in the war with Amalek, had shown, his humility as a ministering servant to Moses, had shown his spiritual fidelity in his opposition to the evil report of the ten spies the man Joshua. As we read the history of Joshua it appears that the Lord had long designed that this man should fill Moses' position whenever the choice of a successor became necessary.
Approximately 40 years of teaching and training went into the education that enabled Joshua to lead Israel after Moses' death. This education was not a formal education; it was not observed by the rank and file of the people, and was not restricted to Joshua alone but was open to all Israel. Joshua, however, was the one who took God's lessons to heart and profited thereby. He had the highest honours in the school of experience be-cause he was humble enough to do the lowliest of services, yet he had the heart and spirit to carry through the great assignments that came his way. Therefore when God's people needed a new leader to carry on the work, Joshua was God's choice.
Joshua's Appointment
As soon as God's will in the matter was made known, Moses proceeded to carry out the instructions. Joshua was placed before Eleazar the priest and before the whole congregation of Israel. There Moses placed his hands upon Joshua and gave him the commission to govern the people.
The Lord said to Moses, "And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him." Joshua already had the Spirit of God within himself, and now some of Moses' honour, the honour of being leader of God's people, was added. Moses publicly proclaimed Joshua as his successor, and the people heard and recognised the appointment; but that was as far as Moses could go. When Joshua received that appointment, he was not equal to Moses in many ways; but through the help of God Joshua profited by his opportunities until he, too, was recognised as one of Israel's great leaders.
Joshua in Command
"Moses my servant is dead." Moses' death must have seemed a severe loss to the Israelites. It was a severe loss; for a man of Moses' faith, integrity, and acquaintanceship with God, cannot be lost by God's church with-out that loss becoming deeply felt and mourned. What a comforting thought, that although the most capable persons in the Church are removed, God is still the Author and Designer of His work and will have someone to place in the vacant position. Moses, the servant, may be dead; but God, the Master of all creation and work, is not dead. He lives on, and forever takes note of His people's needs.
The thirty days of mourning for Moses were drawing to a close when the Lord spoke to Joshua and told him to take the Children of Israel over Jordan. God did not want Israel to mourn for Moses forever. God's plan for Israel had scarcely begun, and surely it would not be terminated because of one man's death. The removal of God's servants from the scenes of their labours causes their fellow soldiers and comrades to weep, for the moment --- and rightly so; but the weeping must not be permitted to hinder the sowing. There is much work to be done still. The Gospel must go onward and forward, always and evermore, until Jesus comes and calls His people to come up higher. "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:6).
Good Success
When the Lord gave instructions for Israel to go forward, God promised Joshua clear and continued success on one condition: "Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest" (Joshua 1:7).
What a wonderful rule for success that is to any of God's children! Joshua was to follow the Law of Moses, for that was all the Word of God that had been revealed at that time. Today, the Law of Moses has been ful-filled in Jesus, the Light of the world, who has shone forth in all His power and glory. The whole Bible, God's inspired Word, is before us; and to have good success in the Christian life, we must recognise that same rule believe and follow the whole Book.
Observe to do what is written. A child of God finds true delight in doing his Father's will, and only distress if he comes short of it. In order to know God's will, one must read His Word not once a week or once a month, but continually. Joshua was told that he must meditate on the Book of the Law day and night. He would be a very busy man, leading 600,000 soldiers and their families, and conquering the seven nations of Canaan; yet he was to find time to meditate on God's Word. Is God any less concerned about His soldiers' welfare today? Does not the same rule apply? It does if we desire good success in the Gospel.
Doing All
Good success depends also upon doing all that is written. It is not enough to read the Word and hear it, to admire the Word or even speak well of it; the Word must be performed in order for one to receive the blessing. "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" (James 1:25).
Four times in this chapter Joshua received the admonition to be strong and of a good courage. One might wonder that Joshua would need this counsel, for he was known to be a brave and courageous man already. However, in his own sight Joshua must have felt very weak and insufficient for the duty that lay before him, especially as he was coming after so great a man as Moses. God said, "Have not I commanded thee?" When God commissions a man for a certain work, He will never fail to bear up that man and help him until the work is accomplished, if the man keeps his faith and courage in God. All discouragements are the lack of faith in God and His promises.
Therefore, to have good courage and to be strong in the Lord and have faith in Him is the proper way to dispel any discouragement.
Joshua had God's promise that no man would be able to stand before him; that every place the sole of his foot should tread upon would be his; that as God had been with Moses, so would He be with Joshua. To renew his courage, all Joshua had to do was rehearse these precious promises and believe God who was back of the promises. God had commanded this work, and however invincible the obstacles might seem, they could not stand before His power.
A Winning Warfare
To win a war, an army must take the offensive side; it cannot always remain on the defensive and entertain much hope of winning the final battle. This is what the Lord wanted Joshua to do, to wage the offensive war-fare, spiritually as well as physically. The Christian may not be called upon to war with weapons of carnal war-fare today, but he must take the offensive toward his spiritual enemies. "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 .... Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" (Ephesians 6:10, 11, 18). "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). The better time to resist the devil is when he first comes, not after he has firmly entrenched himself in your thoughts.
Type of Christ
In the life of Joshua can be seen a very wonderful type of Christ. Joshua was long associated with Moses as his minister before being promoted to the leadership of Israel. Jesus our Lord "made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men .... Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name" (Philippians 2:7, 9).
Joshua bore the same name as our Saviour. The name Jesus is the Greek derivation of the Hebrew name Joshua -- a name which means "He shall save." Joshua saved God's people from their enemies: Jesus saves His people from their sins. Joshua was the leader and commander of the people in the conquest of Canaan that was to give Israel their Promised Land. Jesus is the Captain of our salvation and will tread Satan under foot, give us spiritual Canaan, and the rest that Joshua was not able to lead the Israelites into because of their unbelief ([HEB:4:6], [HEB:4:8-9]). "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it" (Hebrews 4:1).
Questions
1. Why was Moses concerned about who should govern Israel after his death?
2. Name some of the things that fitted Joshua to be Israel's next governor.
3. How did the people feel about Joshua? Had he ever led them out before in battle?
4. God gave Joshua some very wonderful promises. Name several of them.
5. How was Joshua to be guided in this new phase of his life?
6. How soon after Joshua took command of the Children of Israel were the people ready for Jordan's crossing?
7. Which tribes of Israel were already settled in their possessions? and what did Joshua say to them?
8. What was their answer?