The
Book of Joshua is the sequel to the Pentateuch (the first 5 books
written by Moses). Whereas Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy were a
time of waiting, learning and re-teaching the new generation of
Israel, Joshua is a book of action in taking possession of the
Promised Land. I am reminded that in the Christian life there first
must be a time of learning, but there must then come a time when that
learning is translated into action. If we do not live out our faith,
how will people come to know the joy of Salvation? We are called to
be salt and light “that
others may see your good works and praise your Father in Heaven”
(Matt 5:16). The book begins quite directly, “The
Lord said to Joshua… Moses My servant is dead. Now then, you and
all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the Land“.
There is great urgency in these words. Next, God makes a promise,
“I
will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised
Moses“.
What an important image. Faith requires action! It is not until
believers step out, that God gives us victory. After outlining the
territory, God assures Joshua, “As
I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you or
forsake you“.
God encourages Joshua, “Be
strong and courageous…obey all the law My servant Moses gave you…
that you may be successful where ever you go… do not let this book
of the law depart from your mouth… do everything written in it…
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go“.
Are you lacking courage? Add God’s word to stepping out in faith
and see what happens.
Joshua
does not hesitate, he ordered the officers to tell all the people,
“Get
your supplies ready. Three days from now we will cross the Jordan“.
Joshua then reminds the tribes of Rueben, Gad and Manasseh, of the
promise they gave Moses. They were going to take the land on the
east side of the Jordan, but first they would fight with their
brothers to take possession of the whole land before they would be
given rest. The people answer Joshua, “Whatever
you have commanded us, we will do, and wherever you send us, we will
go“.
No more complaining and making excuses, these people trust God’s
promise. “Just
as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you.”
And the people add, “Whoever
rebels against your word and does not obey… we will put him to
death“.
When any group submits to the authority of God’s Word, it creates
unparalleled unity.
It
is important to note, the
name Jesus is actually the anglicized name equal to the name Joshua.
Joshua is Yeshua or Yahushua in Hebrew (meaning, Yahweh is
Salvation). We see many parallels between Jesus and Joshua
throughout the book. In order to live a victorious Christian life,
the first step of faith we must take is to acknowledge Jesus as our
Savior. 2 Corinthians 3:3 tells believers, “You
are a letter of Christ… written not with ink, but with the Spirit
of the Living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of the
human heart“.
With each of us, first comes preparation where we learn to submit to
Christ, and then comes action guided by His Spirit. I pray God is
with you wherever you go today too!