Joshua Leads Israel into the Promised Land October 23, 2015
JOSHUA WAS A LOYAL ASSISTANT TO MOSES
Joshua supported Moses through his many problems leading the Israelites. He was a loyal servant, assistant leader to Moses. See Num 14:6 for one of many examples. A good leader is trained by learning to first follow orders and selflessly supporting his leadership and serving others. Serving lays the foundation for a great servant leader. Paul says the same thing of his protégé Timothy. Paul says of Timothy that he naturally cares for the brethren. See Phil 2:19-20. One becomes such a great leader by first being a loyal assistant like Timothy and Joshua. We all need to be loyal supporters and thereby someday will be great servant leaders in God’s Kingdom. Joshua was on the base of the mountain waiting and supporting Moses loyally for many years.
WHY JOSHUA PERMITTED TO LEAD THE PEOPLE INTO CANAAN INSTEAD OF MOSES?
I believe that God did not want Moses’ legacy to be divided between being a law giver and deliverer of the Israelites from slavery to that of a bloody conqueror. The job or role that Joshua carried was that of exercising God’s curse on the seven evil and perverted nations of Canaan. That curse involved totally destroying those nations and dispossessing them. This a great and vital role played by Joshua but I believe it is not the role God wished for Moses. Further, Moses had suffered enough years of leading the Israelites. It was some else’s turn to put up with them. God was blessing Moses by ending his leadership of the grumbling Israelites.
JOSHUA IS A TYPE OF THE MESSIAH CONQUERING THIS EVIL WORLD AT THE LAST TRUMP
The Israelites were led across the Jordan River into the Promised Land following the Ark of the Covenant. Symbolically they were led by God himself. The mercy seat on the Ark represents the throne of God in heaven. The Jordan River was stopped when the priests carrying the ark touched the water. See Joshua chapter 3. They crossed on dry river bottom. The Israelites circled Jericho quietly, six times, led by trumpet blowing priests. Then on the seventh day, they circled the city seven times and at the final trumpet blast they all shouted. Jericho’s great walls collapsed. See Joshua 6:15-16. It is a model of the seven trumpet plagues of the book of Revelation and final trump of God that will spell the end of Babylon the Great and this worlds false systems. Joshua is a model of Christ coming to conquer evil as he did to the Canaanites. See also I Thess 4:16-17.
JOSHUA IS A MODEL OF CHRISTIAN COURAGE AND BOLDNESS
Joshua told the people to be bold and brave and strong. See Joshua 10:25. God had told Joshua the same thing because he God was with them. We modern Christians should be brave as well. God condemns cowards. See Rev 21:8. Further, Christ says if we, out of fear of worldly criticism, are ashamed of Christ he will be ashamed of us. See Luke 12:4 to not fear men but God. See Luke 12:8-9. We need to be bold and brave and wise.
JOSHUA HAD GREAT FAITH IN GOD, ENOUGH TO STOP THE SUN.
Joshua wanted to complete the victory over an alliance of kings that came against Israel. The coming of darkness would have allowed many to escape into the fortified cities of the losing soldiers. He had faith like that of Elijah to pray for the Sun to not set and it was backed up by God. Elijah had the faith to cause a three and a half year long drought on sinful Ahab and Jezebel. Well, Joshua had the faith to stop the sun with one prayer. Wow! See James 5:15-18. The faithful prayers of a righteous man avail much, says the Bible. We need to try have the faith of Joshua. See Joshua 10:12-13. He asked in prayer for the sun to stand still and it did. Wow! What faith he had. We need to be confident and bold like Joshua, not timid. After the victories where Joshua completed a total victory, the Israelites had a rest from war and fear. See Joshua 11:15, 23.
