A Choice That Changes Everything!

Introduction

Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Jehovah. His name means “Jehovah is Salvation, Jehovah Saves.” It is said that Joshua was such a great leader and military general that his battle plans and strategies are still studied by military experts in the 21st century. There is no doubt that Joshua the son of Nun was and is the greatest military general Israel has ever seen. The armies of Canaan feared the mention of his name. Joshua stands as a model for all men, especially fathers!

Joshua and the Land of Promise There Is Comfort Suggested to Us by Contrast with This Solemn Scene

His task ended, Joshua retired to his inheritance; but the influence of his character and life was felt as long as he lived, and afterward. At last he died, one hundred and ten years old, and they buried him. All Israel probably gathered to pay homage to his memory. He richly merited all the honor that he received. He had none of the gifts of Moses. He may be compared to the man of two talents, whilst his great master was endowed with five. Joshua was strong and wise and true to the great trust committed to his care by the people and by God; and amid the stars that shine in the firmament of heaven, not the least bright or clear is the luster of Joshua, the son of Nun, the antitype of the risen and ascended Saviour, and whose worthiest elegy, as written by a subsequent hand, is—

Joshua 24:15 “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

At the end of his life Joshua issues this challenge to all Israel. We find at least three truths in the challenge:

It was a climatic call to complete dedication

It was a clear trumpet note of unmistakable sound

It was a closing challenge to Israel and all of us

Joshua challenged Israel to a single-minded devotion to God. Remember the words of our Saviour in the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 6:22–24 “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Joshua’s words are timeless truths. The declarations thundering out from this loyal old warhorse may seem to some stern, severe and terribly tough. Joshua’s was essentially the cry of a prophet calling his people to a full commitment to the Most High. Like clear, pure piercing bugle notes they were unmistakable in their meaning; awesome in their warning:

Do not turn away from God’s word!

Do not accommodate yourself to the world’s ways!

Do not give your allegiance to false gods!

Do not set your will to serve other idols!

Do not become subject to their deception!

Do not adopt the life style of the pagan people!

Do not marry or form misalliances among them!

It is with Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Jehovah I issue my challenge today to all you Father’s and all you Men! I issue this challenge to Grace Baptist church of South Pittsburg, TN:

The Lord challenges us to lives of fearless faith in Himself

The Lord calls us to take territory in great triumphs

The Lord commissions us to go out into all the world in victory