The Life of Joshua1. Be strong and of a good courage

The Life of Joshua

1. Be strong and of a good courage– Joshua’s preparation in the wilderness– An old and a new generation

2. Entering into the rest– Victories through trust in God– Not putting confidence in the flesh– Success or failure?

Introduction to Joshua

Exodus 17• “Choose us out men” • Some level of authority• Respected among the people• Physical ability to engage in battle.• Written as a memorial for Joshua• Rephidim = resting places

Ages

Joshua CalebDied 110* ??Land taken c97 85*Entry c90 78Spies 52 40*Exodus 50 38

* Age known

Moses’ minister

Exodus 24• Manifestation of God to the elders• Elders, Aaron & Hur return to the people• Joshua and Moses continue up the Mount• The LORD speaks to Moses alone• 32:17 Joshua hears the “noise of war”• The people’s idolatry• 33:11 he departed not from the tabernacle

Jealousy for Moses

Numbers 11• The meekness of Moses (Num

12:3) • Attitude of Paul in 1 Corinth 4:7• Essential lesson for a leader• It seems to have been known well

in advance that he would succeed Moses (Num 27)

Spying the Land

Numbers 13 and 14• 13:8 Oshea (salvation) • 13:16 Joshua (whose salvation is

Yahweh)• Map of the spies’ journey• 13:27-33 Same experience, different

reports, reflected different attitudes• Psa 112:7,8 and Matt 17:20 – faith• 13:32 & 14:9 Land devours / bread for us• 14:9 Defence = tsil shadow as Psa 121:5

Genealogy

• 1 Chronicles 7:22-27• The tribe of Ephraim

Order of Israel’s march

• Numbers 10:21-22

Psalm 90

• A Prayer of Moses the man of God• Theme: Man’s mortality• Because of sin, refusal to enter

land• Number our days• Make us glad

Psalm 91

• He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High

• Antiphonal Psalm - Moses & Joshua• V14-16 An affirmation from God• Deut 31:7 in the sight of the

people• Deut 34:9 & Num 27:18 “the spirit”• Rom 8:16 the Spirit and “our spirit”

A generation passes

Joshua 1• Moses my servant is dead…• Be strong and of a good courage

– Deut 31:6 Moses to the people– Deut 31:7 Moses to Joshua– Josh 1:6 God to Joshua *3– Josh 1:18 the people to Joshua– Josh 10:25 Joshua to the people

Summary

• Leadership in battle• Presence in the tabernacle• Learning from Moses• Attitude to challenges• God as his overshadowing refuge• Strengthening the new generation

to press toward their calling

The Life of Joshua2. Entering into the Rest

Crossing the Jordan

• Urgency of the command (1:2,11)• Jordan in flood in April (3:15)• Time of the late rains followed by

the barley harvest• 2 Spies (as 2 favourable reports)• Crossing not dependent on their

report (1:11 & 2:22, 3:1)• Messengers (6:25 & James 2:25)

Rahab

• 2:10 faith by hearing• Red Sea – 40 years ago!• The people’s hearts melt• Seizes her opportunity to respond• Her simple, focussed faith• Double meanings:

– Cord sorrows (2:13 and Psa 18:4)– Line hope

The Crossing

• 3:4 – the Ark a guide and a symbol of God’s presence, separation required

• 3:16 – Adam (man) and Zaretan (piercing)

• 4:11 – it both led and followed the people (Hebrews 12:2)30.31 ἀποβλέπω; ἀφοράωa: to keep thinking

about, without having one’s attention distracted—‘to think about, to fix one’s attention on.’

Louw Nida Greek English Lexicon

Attack?

• 5:2 - Circumcision!• 5:10 - Passover and unleavened bread• Placing no confidence in the flesh

– As Abraham in Genesis 17

• Sanctification and preparation• 5:13 – the Prince of the host (Michael?)• Similar experience to Moses

Jericho

• 6:3 – 6 circuits + 7 on final day• 6:20 – city fell with the final shout

– Structure as the Book of Revelation– Nothing happens until the final stage– As Elijah, praying 7 times

• Ai – putting confidence in the flesh!

Rahab & Achan

RahabA Gentile

“Faith wrought with her works”

Saved with her house

Line = her hope

AchanThe privileges and

miraclesNo faith

Killed with his houseAchan = troubler

Hosea 2:15 & 23

Iniquity of the Amorites

• Genesis 15:16 – not yet full• Romans 1:18-25

– Created things visible to all– God had manifested himself to them– From earliest times all people knew of

God and his covenants– Human society seeks to eliminate

God and replace Him– God gives them over to that lifestyle

Entering the Rest

• Achieved? 11:23, 21:43-45• But what about Heb 4:8 / Psa 95:11?• Failed to take possession

– 13:1, 18:3 and Judges 1:27-

• An example of unbelief• God has done his part for us, while we

were sinners. We must do our part with confidence, not in the flesh, but in the full assurance of faith

Hebrews 10:19-25

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith [elpis hope] without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”