God's Commission to Joshua

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Topic # 0875 - Joshua

Introduction.

A.   Read Joshua 1:1-9

1.     Joshua faced with the daunting task of overtaking the leadership of the Israelites.

a.     Not only was this an enormous responsibility, but he was to lead this nation of people into battle into the land of Canaan.

b.     This was the same nation that a generation earlier refused to enter the land and suffered the punishment of Almighty God.  The question had to be going through his mind will they do it again?

2.     In the text, we find that God comes to Joshua and tries to give him a little encouragement in the new task at hand.  God wanted to let Joshua know that He was behind Him.

3.     God will stand behind those who put their trust in Him.  Not only in those days, but for Christians as well.

B.    As we live our lives, we have to weather the trials of life and the hurdles that Satan places before us.

1.     This can be very discouraging at times.  Sometimes we feel that it would be better to just quit and give up trying to do what is right.

2.     Let us all focus intently upon the lesson this morning, and let these words of encouragement to Joshua serve as a boost to our lives as well.

a.     v. 5 - Let us remember God will not forsake us.

b.     V. 6 - let us be strong and of good courage

c.     V. 7 - let us strive to do according to all of the Word of God.

d.     V. 8 - let us make the commitment to meditate on the word day and night and not depart from it.

e.     V. 8 - why should all those who serve God do these things?  For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

C.    We should all desire success as Christians, and be willing to do whatever is necessary to obtain success.  Let us focus upon four important lessons from these nine verses.

D.   Hope you will be benefited from the lesson.

 

II.  Be Faithful.

A.   V. 6, 7, 9 - Be Strong & Courageous.

1.     Joshua had to demonstrate his trust in God by being firm in his stand with God.  It was essential for him to put all his confidence in God.

a.     To do these things, would enable him to act in courage, which would lead his people to victory.

B.    When one examines the task at hand, he will find the work was not going to be easy at all.

1.      Gen. 15:18-21 - Some 600 yrs. before, God promised the land to Abraham.  The peoples of the land were present in those days and were still around when Joshua prepared Israel to battle.  They were well established.

2.      Though they were not unified as one, they were "bigger & taller" than Israel and their cities were well fortified.

a.     Num. 13:28-29, 32-33 - remember, this is what frightened 10 of the 12 spies.

1.     v. 29 makes one wonder if Israel believed that land was supposed to be vacant.

2.     It was as they were saying; there are people everywhere!

b.     The Canaanites were prepared for war.  By the time of our text in Joshua, it had been about 40 years since Israel left Egypt.  One wonders if Canaan had been preparing for the invasion the whole time.

3.     Num. 13:8, 16 - Joshua knew well the task at hand since he has spied out the land 40 years earlier.

C.    Despite all these things, God assures Joshua that they will prevail.

1.     v. 6 - For to this people, you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

2.     It is as if God was saying, "Sure, I know the task is going to be great, but I am with you, therefore be strong and courageous for I am going to give my people this land."

3.     For Joshua, this was a HUGE test of faith.  Did he really believe they could possess the land?

a.     40 yrs. Before - he did - Num. 14:6-9.

b.     But what about now?  He was 40 yrs. older.  A new younger generation was on hand.

4.     Every battle was a test of Joshua's faith.  Notice the times God assures Joshua he will be victorious.  The enemies must always have looked impressive.

a.     But God assures victory.  It was up to Joshua to believe it.

b.     Notice God's statement to Joshua throughout before several battles in 6:2; 8:1-2; 10:8; 11:6

D.   Application to Christians.

1.     We need faith every bit as much as Joshua did.  Not only a simple faith which believes in Christ, but a deep sense of trust that God will take care of His children.  There are many things that require faith on our part to be pleasing to God.

2.     2 Tim. 2:15; 3:15-17 - We must have faith in the Word of God.  We must put our trust in the Word.  If we do what is written, we can live confidently before the Lord.

a.     Must have the faith necessary to do things God's way.

3.     We must have a faith in heaven, and let that motivate us to follow the Lord.  It is the goal after which we all seek.  Jesus is preparing that place now. Jhn. 14:1-3

4.     We must have faith in hearing and answering of prayers.  What greater comfort can be found than in knowing that God will hear our prayers and answer them?

5.     We must have a faith in the justice of Almighty God.  Sometimes it seems that those who do what is right never win.  Only those who are with evil win.  Can be discouraging at times.

a.     The Thessalonians were dealing with this problem in 2 Thess. 1:4-9.

b.     God will win.  Those who follow Him will be victorious.  We must put our trust in Him.  Rev. 2:10

 

III.  Do Not Fear.

A.    v. 9 - Do not be afraid or be dismayed…

B.     Fear is what destroyed the generation before.  Deut. 1:28-33 - fear destroys faith.

1.     Deut. 31:6 - Moses warned the 2nd generation not to do the same.

2.     It seems God is reminding Joshua of two things:

a.     Num. 14:9 - the words to the 1st generation.

b.     Deut 31:7-8 - the words of Moses to Him

C.     Application to Christians

1.     Faith and fear are not compatible.

a.     b/c 1st generation Israel did not believe, they did not receive.

b.     Same true for Christians today.  If we do not believe, we do not receive.

D.    Fear paralyzes the servant of God.  Not only with the Israelites, but with people today.

1.     How many do we know that are afraid to stand up for the Lord and do what is right?  Are we ourselves afraid?  When the going gets tough are you willing to stand?  This applies in all areas of our lives.

2.     Mt. 14:28-31 - Peter walking on water.  What did fear do to Him?

E.     2 Cor. 4:18; 5:7 - Where are your sights set? Temporal? Eternal?

1.     Fear causes us to doubt our faith and our God thereby moving our focus from the eternal to the temporal.

2.     Thus becoming unpleasing to God.

 

 

IV.  God is Faithful.

A.   v. 5 - "I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you."

1.     Moses told Joshua the same thing in Deut. 31:8

B.    Notice God begins & ends the commission with the same thought:  I will be with you!  (v. 5, 9)

1.     w/o God, Israel would have never conquered Canaan.

a.     Deut. 4:38; 7:1; 9:1-2 - nations were "greater & mightier".

b.     Num. 14:39-45 - the attempt of the previous generation

c.     God told them this:  Ex. 33:2 - God would send an angel before them to drive the people out.

d.     Moses told them this:  Deut. 9:1-5

e.     And they would soon learn this for themselves.  Josh. 7:12

C.    But, remember God said he would not fail them nor forsake them.  He was not going to abandon or leave them.

1.     God would not fail or forsake Joshua because:

a.     he wasn't powerful enough to fulfill His promise

1.     Joshua knew they weren't powerful enough to conquer Canaan on their own and if God wasn't either, then their attempt to conquer Canaan would end swiftly.

2.     Joshua could rest assured that God was perfectly capable of doing what He said.

b.     Joshua could be assured that God would not grow tired of the task.

1.     God was going to be with them to the "bitter end."

D.   Application for Christians.

1.      It should give all Christians hope and motivate us all that God is faithful to His children today!  The Hebrew writer said in 13:5-6

2.      Get down in our problems.  Feel we are the only one.  Feel like giving up.  Must remember that God is not going to forsake us or fail us.  God is faithful, and wants to see every one of US succeed!

3.      Heb. 10:19-23

 

V.  Follow the Lord.

A.   Josh. 1:7-8 - observe to do according to all the law.

1.      Notice the exhortation given in a positive manner and a negative manner.

2.      Observe to do - v. 7-8

a.     God intended Joshua to exercise great care over the law.  He wanted Joshua to beware of His obligations to the covenant.

b.     V. 8 - wanted Joshua to meditate upon the word - to have it on his mind.

B.    From a negative standpoint:

1.     v. 7 - do not turn from it to the right or the left and v. 8 - it shall not depart from your mouth

2.     God demanded EXACT obedience.  It would require concentration upon the part of Joshua.

a.     Couldn't do just part of the covenant and be pleasing.  Wasn't allowed to simply "pick and choose" what he wanted.  My friends, we must do the same!

C.    Rewards of their obedience:  1:7 - So that you may have success wherever you go.  1:8 - For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.

D.   This was a demanding obedience - but look at the reward.  They would be blessed beyond their wildest dreams if they only followed the Lord!

E.    Application for Christians.

1.     The requirements for our obedience are not any lighter!

a.     Mark 8:34-38 - not always easy to put away our want to and will to follow Christ.

b.     2 Tim. 2:15 - we must study to be approved of by God!

2.     Not always simple to do these things - BUT, the reward is greater - the true rest!

a.     The more one sacrifices for something - the greater the reward!  Same true with our heavenly reward.

b.     Heb. 4:8-13

c.     2 Cor. 4:16-18

 

VI.  Conclusion.

A.   Though our circumstances are different from Joshua's, the message from God is every bit as relevant to us today.

B.    Are we faithful to the Lord in all areas of our lives?

1.     let us not let fear destroy our faith

2.     Let us put our trust in the Lord for He is faithful

3.     Let us make the commitment to follow Him all the days of our lives!

C.    How about you?  Are you living right before God?  Do you need to make correction in your life?  Do so today while you have the opportunity!

D.  If you are subject to this invitation, please come forward as we stand and sing.