We move our focus this week from Moses to Joshua. Joshua's story is an amazing one that I think sometimes can be overlooked due to the great shadow that Moses casts over Joshua. But the power of God is displayed through Joshua and his leadership. If you read through Joshua, you will find it is not a peaceful book, but one of military battles and the favor that God gives to the Israelites. If you've never read completely through Joshua you might be amazed at how violent the story of the Israelites taking the promised land really is. If there was a "Joshua's Greatest Hits" album it would certainly include at least one story and two verses. The story we are mostly familiar with is greatly due for most to the gift of music as most of us have probably heard "Joshua fit the Battle of Jericho and the walls came a tumblin' down." The two well known verses are like bookends for the book itself as at the beginning, Joshua is encouraged three times by God to "Be strong and courageous." Then at the end of the book Joshua lays before Israel a choice as to whose God will they serve. Is it Yahweh who delivered them or the Gods of the people of the land they now inhabit? But Joshua makes his choice clear by pronouncing "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
As the book of Joshua begins, Moses has passed on. In Numbers 20, we see why Moses did not have the opportunity to lead the people to the Promised Land as he did not follow God's instructions exactly when the Israelites complain to him again about not having water in the wildernass. Instead of speaking to the rock as God instructed, Moses strikes it twice in anger and water flows from it. Thus God says because of this, Moses and Aaron will not see the promised land. Pretty harsh, but this is what happened.
Now God turns to Joshua to lead the people. Imagine being in Joshua's shoes (or sandals perhaps) having served under Moses all these 40 years waiting for the opportunity to enter the promised land which he had seen first hand 40 years prior as one who went on a scouting expedition. All of those who went with him on that journey except Caleb were dead because they did not trust that the Lord could deliver on his promise. (See Numbers 13 and 14) Moses, his mentor and leader, was no longer with him because of his brief lapse in trust. Likely Joshua had anticipated Moses to lead the people into the promised land until Moses himself commissioned Joshua in front of Eleazar, the priest, and the "entire assembly" as we see in Numbers 27:12-23. Is it any wonder God felt the need to speak the words "Be strong and courageous" three times to Joshua. Joshua had been given a big job amidst observing others falter over the years.
If you have ever been in the shadow of someone great and then called to follow them in leadership, there is no greater road map or outline for how to move forward than this passage in Joshua. The first thing God does here is to help Joshua face reality. According to the NASB, God says to Joshua "Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross the Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel." (Joshua 1:2) I sense a tone as if God is saying to Joshua "your time is now. Moses is gone and I need you to get up and time for mourning him is over. Put the past where it belongs, behind you, and move forward. I need you to step up. I need you to be the leader I know you can be."
Then God unveils the Geography of the promised land to Joshua in vss. 3-4. Then comes a series of promises and encouragement. God promises "no man will be able to stand before you" in vs. 5. This promise comes true in that Israel was tremendously successful in conquering those already dwelling in the promised land, with the exception of one set back at Ai, due to them not waiting on the Lord for instruction and some not following God's command to not take things under the ban when they defeated Jericho. (See Joshua 6-7)
Then, is the first encouragement to "be strong and courageous" followed by God promising this inheritance of land He promised to their forefathers. Then again, God tells Joshua to "be strong and very courageous" and encourages him to follow the law that Moses had given him, to meditate on it, to not turn from it. And with this encouragement to follow the law comes a promise, a promise of prosperity and success. We will come back to this in a moment, but then God again emphasizes once again "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous..." This time he gives Joshua a reason why he can be strong and that is because God will be with Joshua wherever he goes.
What did Joshua do next? He got after it. He began the work God had prepared for him to do. God gave Joshua a vision, a game plan for success.
What do you do when you have to follow in someone's footsteps of leadership? First, we are called to get out of their shadow and not dwell or worry about the past because the person whose shadow we were in is not there anymore. We see God calling Joshua in such a way as mentioned earlier. Second, trust in the plan that has been put before you. God called Joshua to embrace the vision of moving into the promised land and encouraged him to be strong and courageous. Third, don't forget what you've been taught and return to those lessons daily. "Meditate on them day and night." Just because that mentor isn't there anymore, doesn't mean that what they taught you is gone. Finally, just take the first step and let those who are with you know what they need to do. This is what Joshua did in vss. 10-11. He let them know what they needed to prepare to do. What's the motivation, the promise? Prosperity and success and God's presence along the way.
Now, back to this prosperity and success thing. Let's not mistake God's picture of success with the world's picture of success. Is a rich man successful if he hoards his wealth? Is a land owner successful if he owns much property but doesn't use it for anything but personal gain? Is a wise person successful if he doesn't pass on his wisdom? I think you get the picture here. Just as in the parable of the talents, we are expected to use what God has given us, big or small, for the purpose of growing His Kingdom. And what makes up His kingdom is love, mercy, hope, compassion, salvation, etc.. If God makes us wealthy, he's entrusted us to be good stewards of our wealth and use it for others. If God gives us land, what are we doing to use the land for his kingdom purposes. If God grants us wisdom, how are we contributing to the wisdom of others? Don't allow this lesson to be missed with the younger generation. We worry as parents about helping our children be "successful" enough to provide for themselves after they leave home, but are we pointing them in a direction to be successful for the sake of the Kingdom of God? This involves trust. This involves us being and encouraging our children to "be strong and courageous." Trust in God's bigger plan. Teach you children, grandchildren, the younger generation to meditate on God's word day and night and he will make their way prosperous, and they will have success, success for God's kingdom. In the midst of doing this, he promises to be with us wherever we go.
So "be strong and very courageous" and as Jesus promised he is with you always "even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20b)
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