MARCH 6, 2016
A NEW LEADER FOR THE NEW GENERATION
INTRODUCTION:
1. Joshua is the first book in the Bible to bear the name of its principle character. That fact is significant because the name Joshua means God’s salvation. Oshes = salvation; Jehoshua = God’s salvation. Moses represents the law which cannot save because of the weakness of the flesh while Joshua is clearly a type of the greater Joshua (Jeshua, Jesus). He had been set apart (Deut. 34:9) to lead the people of Israel as the captain of their salvation. From his first introduction in Scripture Joshua is seen as a great warrior. (Ex. 17:9-14) He was a man full of the spirit of wisdom; one in whom God had put His name (Num. 13:16; 27:18) Moses’ death is recorded at the close of the Pentateuch, (Deut. 34:5) and his chosen successor must now assume his place of leadership, and take the people of Israel over Jordan into the land of promise. Joshua thus marks the end of their wilderness wanderings, and their entrance in to the land.
2. Each book of the Bible is of special importance making its own indispensable contribution to the whole of the divine revelation. Joshua is the proper sequel to the books of Moses, forming the vital link between the books of the law and the other books of history which come after it.
3. Joshua pertains to the period of Israel’s reinstatement as a nation, of which the books of Moses were prophetic and preparatory. The credibility of Moses’ writings thus depends upon Joshua as the prophetic fulfillment of much that he wrote about the people, the land, and Joshua himself. Without the book of Joshua, there is a gap left in the sacred history that cannot otherwise be supplied.
4. The spiritual significance of the book of Joshua is seen in its twofold typology.
a) In one sense, Joshua is a type of our great Savior leading His people across the spiritual Jordan into the Promised Land. Canaan in this case is picturing heaven.
b) In another sense, Joshua is a type of Christ the Mighty Conqueror, leading His militant church, conquering now, and still to conquer. In this case the conquest of Canaan pictures the establishment of Christ’ Kingdom in the earth. Of course, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of (Satan’s) strongholds. (II Cor. 10:5)
c) So Joshua typically sets forth how the chosen people of God actually come to possess the promised inheritance. In one sense it speaks of heaven which believers receive as a gift, and enter when they come to cross over the Jordan of death. In another sense it sets forth battles and struggles, victories and failures that they experience in coming to possess their Canaan land.
5. Now to begin our study of the book of Joshua we will consider from the first nine verses the call and commission of Israel’s new leader – a new leader for the new generation. Only two remain from the first generation that came out of Egypt; Joshua and Caleb, and Joshua is God’s chosen leader to take them into the Promised Land.
I. THE CALL AND COMMISSION OF JOSHUA. (VERSES 1, 2)
A. THE OCCASION OF JOSHUA’S CALL TO LEAD THE PEOPLE WAS THE DEATH OF MOSES, THEIR FORMER LEADER. “…AFTER THE DEATH OF MOSES.”
1. Note the honor that is given to faithful ministers. “Moses, the servant of the Lord,” was clearly the title by which Moses was known. The Lord Himself here spoke to Joshua, and said, “Moses, MY SERVANT is dead.”
a) The title of servant is applied to the heaven and the earth (Psa. 117:91); to the angels (Job 4:18); to the prophets (Jer. 7:25); to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Ex. 19:5); to the faithful in general (Psa. 34:23); and, of course, to Christ Himself (Zech. 3:8), of Whom Moses is so clear a type.
b) Moses was uniquely the servant of God. He was the Lord’s household steward, as it were, overseeing the people of God.
c) God takes special notice of the deaths of His servants. Moses’ death was very private, and the place of his burial was a secret, but God knew all about it. As the death of His saints is precious in His sight, it was doubtless so when the Lord called Moses home to his eternal rest.
d) There was a time of mourning assigned for Moses that lasted thirty days. Though time was precious, everything was put on hold, even the installation of his successor, out of respect for Moses, that his memory might be honored. (Deut. 34:8)
2. Observe also how the work of God is not dependent upon any man, even one of such extraordinary ability and usefulness as Moses. “Moses my servant is dead, now therefore arise, go over this Jordan.”
a) The people may have reasoned, “Moses is dead, THEREFORE we cannot go on.”
b) Moses was dead, but God was not, and He said, “THEREFORE arise, go over this Jordan.” Moses’ death was seen as necessary. “THEREFORE arise.”
3. Observe again that the Lord had prepared and groomed the successor to Moses under his own hand. “The Lord spake unto JOSHUA…MOSES’ MINISTER.”
a) How Joshua must now have valued those years of apprenticeship as he ministered under Moses in matters of religion and government.
b) It is God’s purpose for us that we be nurtured and prepared for service as we learn at the feet of His ministers.
4. Observe how in type this so beautifully applies to Christ. (our Joshua)
a) As Joshua ministered under Moses, the great law giver, so Christ was made under the law. (Gal. 4:4) the law could not save us and bring us into the heavenly Canaan, but it was, however, our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, Who can. (Gal. 3:21-29)
b) The law could never give us our inheritance, therefore Moses must die, and Joshua must arise. (Rom. 3:20-22)
c) It is Christ alone Who has through death conquered death and as the Captain of our salvation shall bring His many sons to glory. (Heb. 2:10)
B. THE CALL OF JOSHUA AS IT CAME DIRECTLY FROM THE LORD HIMSELF. “THEREFORE ARISE, GO OVER THIS JORDAN.”
II. THE ENCOURAGEMENT THAT JOSHUA WAS GIVEN AS MOSES’ SUCCESSOR. (VERSES 3-6)
A. GOD HAD GIVEN THE LAND OF CANAAN TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. (VERSE 3)
1. The land that was at the time occupied by various heathen nations (the Amalekites, Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, etc.) had been given to Moses in covenant promise. (Deut. 11:24)
2. The Lord said to Moses, “every place…shall be yours…” (not absolutely, but in the Promised Land) either in possession, or by dominion, upon condition of their obedience. “For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, and to cleave unto Him.” (Deut. 11:22)
3. The encouragement here given to Joshua incorporates this essential condition as well. (Verses 8, 9)
B. THE BOUNDARIES THAT WERE FIXED IN THE COVENANT PROMISE ARE HERE REITERATED. (VERSE 4; DEUT. 11:24)
1. Because of their own sin and unbelief they came short of what could have been theirs.
2. It is a shame that through unbelief and failure to meet the necessary conditions we rob ourselves of blessings that obedient faith could have gained from God’s hand.
3. Every place within those set boundaries whereupon they set the sole of their foot was theirs to possess according to the word of their God.
4. Let us strive through obedient faith and courage to lay hold of every blessing that those in covenant with God have a right to claim.
C. JOSHUA WAS ASSURED THE UNFAILING HELP OF GOD WHICH MOSES KNEW. (VERSE 5)
1. Joshua would take this promise to heart. “I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.”
2. We too are given essentially the same promise by our mighty Savior. “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” (Heb. 13:5)
D. JOSHUA WAS GREATLY ENCOURAGED BY THE CERTAINTY WITH WHICH THE LORD FORETOLD HIS DIVIDING OF THE LAND. (VERSE 6)
1. They had not as yet entered the fight, nevertheless the Lord, Who alone knows the end from the beginning said, as a matter of fact, “…for unto the people shalt thou divide the land.”
2. We need not worry about outcomes with respect to the mission of the church. “It shall be even as he hath said.”
3. God’s elect can therefore read their title clear, because God’s purpose cannot fail. (Rom. 8:30)
III. THE CHARGE GIVEN TO JOSHUA AS THE NEW LEADER. (VERSES 7-9)
A. HE MUST TAKE A STRONG AND COURAGEOUS STAND FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS. (VERSE 7)
1. Though Joshua was the captain and commander of the people, he was God’s servant and subject, and obligated to observe all of His commandments.
2. His adherence was to be unwavering, regardless of what pressures might be put upon him to compromise. “Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left.”
3. Exactness with respect to God’s law would be the key to his prosperity. “…that thou mayest prosper…”
B. HE MUST MAKE GOD’S LAW HIS MEDITATION AS WELL AS HIS INSTRUCTION. (VERSE 8)
1. He was to constantly read the Book of the Law, and when needful, speak of it. “…shall not depart out of thy mouth.” All instructions given and judgments made were to be according to this rule.
2. All of his private actions as well as public administrations must be done “according to all that is written therein.”
3. Joshua was to so imbibe the law of God as to saturate his mind and soul with it. He must not follow any advice that would run contrary to it.
4. Strict adherence to divine truth is the great duty of every minister of God. May we never be willing to compromise any word of it for sake of convenience or expedience or acceptance with men.
5. The way of true prosperity and good success is never found in compromise, but rather, in strict adherence to the Word of God.
C. HE MUST BE STRONGLY RESOLVED TO FOLLOW THE RULE OF GOD’S LAW. (VERSE 9a)
1. The Lord knew that Joshua would be challenged and tested respecting this matter. None walk according to God’s Law unchallenged.
2. It takes great resolve and courage to stand and keep on standing consistently, day in and day out, for truth and righteousness. (Verse 7a)
D. JOSHUA WAS GIVEN THE GREATEST POSSIBLE INCENTIVE TO FOLLOW GOD’S HOLY RULE. (VERSE 9b)
1. Joshua was given assurance that in this holy commitment and mission he would have God’s companionship and support. “For the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
2. Those who with conscience and conviction stand for truth do not stand alone. The Lord their God is with them, and He will not fail them or forsake them.
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