“Servant of the Lord” – (describes Moses at his death)
13 times used in Joshua to describe Joshua
Moses, Egypt, Exodus, Red Sea, Wilderness, Spying out the land
Spying out the Land
12 Spies sent out
10 returned with a negative report of the Promise Land
2 returned with an optimistic report of the Promise Land
Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun
The only two who would enter the promise land from those who left Egypt
Spying out the Land - Numbers 14:26-30
Joshua’s challenges
Past (Moses’ leading)
1.Exodus
2.Red Sea
3.Food in the wilderness (40yrs)
4.Spying out the promise land
Present
1.Leading an entire nation (v.2,6)
a.Discouragement (v.6,7,9)
2.Crossing the Jordan (at flood stage) (v.2)
3.Conquest of the promise land (v.4-6)
a.Giants and well fortified cities
4.Command to meditate (read) and obey (apply) God’s word, recorded by Moses. [highlight this point] v.7,8
Obey God’s Word
i.Command to meditate (read) and obey (apply) God’s word, as recorded by Moses.
ii.Instructions:
1.Be Strong and Courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. (v.7)
2.Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (v.8)
a.On the lips
i.Custom of muttering while studying or reflecting
1.Constantly thinking about God’s word
3.Result: Success in what God was calling Joshua to do.
God’s abiding presence [encouragement and power]
i.None of this would be possible without God
1.Obeying God’s word and applying it
2.Conquest of the promise land
a.[Make note of the order]
3.Side note: Never try to accomplish what God has called you to do without God.
ii.V.5, 9 – Highlight both verses
1.Never leave nor forsake
iii.In order to have success; Joshua needed to read / meditate on God’s word and apply it to his life.
1.The result would be success in whatever God was calling him to do.
The real challenge is applying God’s word with his strength and might
i.The problem is whether or not God’s people will read and apply God’s word; without limitations
ii.Obedience without limits
Joshua Obeyed God
ii.His way and for his glory
1.Crossing the Jordan (Joshua 3)
a.Sent the priest and the arc of the covenant first
b.Part the sea (like Moses)
c.Build a memorial (Joshua 4:1-7)
2.Jericho (Joshua 5-6)
a.Sent the priest and the arc of the covenant first
b.Walk around the city six days
c.Seventh days – walk around seven times
i.Blow the trumpets and shout (Joshua 5:15-19)
ii.Walls came tumbling down
3.God’s ways are not our ways
Train up leaders
a.Moses raised up Joshua
b.The Israelites followed God all the years during Joshua’s leadership.
c.However, it took just one generation for all Israel to revert to a lifestyle of disobedience.
d.Read: Judges 2:6-15
e.Train up others to lead the next generation
i.Families, Ministry Heads, Etc.
Obedience without limits
a.Illustration
i.Purchase Offer on a Home
1.Contingency
ii.Contingencies on Obeying God
1.Us
a.My way
b.My time
c.Not too hard, not too easy; just right
2.God
a.His Way
b.His Timing
c.Trials and persecutions; but God’s promise of his abiding presence: Holy Spirit.
The secret to Joshua success and the churches today is God’s abiding presence: His Spirit: The Holy Spirit
Matthew 28:19-20
Same God that was with Joshua is with you. He will help you accomplish what he calls you to do.
Application
Quote: “God does not called the qualified, he qualifies the called”
What area(s) in your life may God be calling you to step out in obedience working in faith?
What fears (flood-level rivers, giants, fortified cities) do you encounter when thinking about stepping out?
I encourage you to give them to God
Also, who can you bring with you in your journey towards Christ to disciple and rise up?
