Joshua 1-4

Above all; Be Strong & Courageous!

Introduction:

Illustration: Fake it till you make it. Have you ever had a boss who you just couldn’t stand? Have you ever sat in your easy chair and watched in disbelief as a political leader you didn’t agree with took office? Have you ever experienced a spoken direction or example from someone where you could truly see their heart on their sleeve? Which one of those examples of leadership sounds like something you could get behind?

God is the epitome of leadership; the knowledge and wisdom God holds is infinite. His leadership is hierarchical, not in that there is some reporting structure up to heaven, but rather that he chooses every leader for every task so that His will is done. Leadership is a trait some are born with; leadership is a trait that some can be taught. The thought that leaders are born or made isn’t complete in the biblical sense, rather, God does not choose the qualified, he qualifies the chosen. is all about leadership succession, and regardless of who may be leading, God’s plan is always in play, and ultimately, He is at the helm. It is up to the leader to seek His council in all things. Because of this Leadership transitions need not cause fear or anxiety because we all follow God who doesn’t change.

Main Theme: As God’s appointed leader, Be Strong & Courageous

I. Leadership in Transition – Appointing a New Leader ()

Human leaders come and go but God remains faithful.

A. God chooses His Leaders

a. The succession plan was already put in place before Moses’ death (, ), Just prior to in Deut Moses is speaking 120 years, old, can’t go out, enemies will be overtaken, and the law will be followed.

b. Moses is Dead. v.2 God is commanding the importance of this occasion; the time is now for you to take on this calling. Moses called “servant of the Lord” later Joshua is called the same.

c. The Promised Land was theirs by inheritance, however, they still had to fight for it. They would march over all parts of it. But the Lord was with him and Israelites.

B. Be Strong & Courageous

a. 4 times in the first chapter God tells Joshua to be S&C as well as references in Num and Deut.

i. v.7 states, “above all.” (CSB) God is speaking of keeping the law. In our context today, , “Do everything for the Glory of God”

b. Joshua accepts his calling and directs his subordinates to spread the message

c. Joshua selects his best warriors to go ahead, until all are able to rest

i. We must take our rest in Him, strength and courage grounded in Him

C. Everything you have commanded us we will do. (Sound familiar?)

a. Joshua’s leadership is established and accepted

b. Above all, be strong and courageous! His word, His law, His direction, His leadership

i. A leadership of delegation of authority from God

c. Illustration – Military change of command

II. Leadership Steps Out in Front of Danger (, )

Those who lead and those who follow will need courageous obedience.

A. Crossing the Jordan - Finally

a. Joshua left 3 days before the Israelites

i. The spies have reported in, their commander is awaiting their findings. – The leader goes ahead.

b. Joshua Commands, the Lord will go first, (v.2) then they are to follow as the ark passes by. The Lord goes forward as the ark. First is not a position of “better than thou” but rather a position of protection

B. Crossing the Jordan is Joshua’s commissioning test

a. Joshua executes flawlessly by establishing the trust of his people by stepping out in front of them before the journey, then before the crossing, then during the crossing he is with the Lord, then he takes up the rear to ensure no stragglers are left behind. (3:9-13)

b. Not only does the Lord (Leader) go first but He also goes last.

i. The 12 men carrying the ark waited in the middle of the Jordan for every last man to cross,(3:14-17) then the Lord followed. (4:10-18)

c. Illustration – Pastoral Leadership - 23rd Psalm - 2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

III. Leadership at the Lowest, Most Dangerous Times ().

God repeated the Red Sea miracle at the Jordan to show the new generation that he was still with them as he had been with their parents.

A. The crossing of the Jordan is just as the Crossing of the Red Sea

a. The waters represent the swirling, churning chaos going on around us

b. The path ahead represents where the Lord is taking us

c. The path behind is not to be forgotten, but rather remembered for the Lord has delivered us from impeding danger

B. A miraculous low (the middle of the crossing), could be an opportunity for us to shine the light of Jesus.

a. Joshua led the Israelites to across the Jordan to Gilgal, approx. 2 miles from Jericho.

b. Gilgal – means “circle”

c. The twelve stones represent God’s leadership which brought them through the Jordan, and that the twelve tribes were there together, as equals. A Jewish father was taught by this symbolism that if a child asked a question, he wasn’t to send them to a priest but rather answer himself.

d. Illustration – An opportunity to lead as God has called each and every one of us.

Conclusion: Joshua has been prepared to lead and the people have been prepared to follow by their wilderness experiences.

Moses is dead, a succession of leadership had to happen. Someone had to lead the Israelites into the promised land just as God has promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Joshua was chosen as the leader to deliver the Israelites to the promised land long before Moses was gone. A leader learns from his predecessor, as well as God. The biblical leader seeks council with the almighty in all things. Joshua showed a great deal of leadership in the way he stepped up in a time of mourning to assume command of God’s people. Joshua assumes command in a military like fashion, he was mission focused, however, his heart was on his sleeve when it needed to be. Joshua shows to be a great military leader in the times to come and leads possibly one the greatest military victories God’s people have ever known. He also shows compassion and understanding just as a leader should to point God’s people to Him in a life of prayer and commitment to Him only, to serve Him. Joshua leads in such a way where the people of Israel never knew leadership changed, because the goal and method of leadership is grounded in our God. That’s the real reason for leadership, to point to God, to guide, to stay on task and to never allow a realization of change in command. The real leader and the one behind the scenes has always been and always will be the one true God of Heaven and Earth. The God that dwelled in the ark of the covenant, the God that went before and after His people to ensure their safety, and the God that orchestrates and guides all leadership under His command.