Joshua's Call
Notes
Transcript
In our scripture today, we find Joshua and the nation of Israel stuck in the place of grieving and mourning the death of Moses. This was the common custom of the day, to mourn for 30 days. But, when 30 days were up it was time to move forward. God wanted Joshua and the nation of Israel to come out of this time of mourning. Let us understand what Moses meant to Joshua and the nation of Israel.
Moses was the one that led them out of Egypt.
Moses was the one that led them across the Red Sea.
Moses was the one that led them through the wilderness for 40 years.
Moses was their rock and Joshua’s mentor. Now he was gone. It was time for them to get unstuck from that moment of grief because God had other plans for them.
We are much like the Israelites. Sometimes it is hard for us to pull ourselves out of places when something happens in our lives that is tragic, it puts us in a moment of grief and we have to be careful that we do not get stuck their because God has great plans for us as well.
Today, I want to look at Joshua’s Call and how God got Joshua and the nation of Israel unstuck as well.
God Jolted Joshua to Reality
God Jolted Joshua to Reality
“Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel.
The opening words from God seemed to be a call to snap back. It was Joshua’s time to step into the leadership role and take the people across the Jordan River.
In other words, God said, “the time for mourning has come to an end. It is time for you step up and take the position that you were appointed to. You are the commander of the Israelite people and it is time for you to cross the Jordan River and enter the promised land.
God Reminds Joshua of the Promises.
God Reminds Joshua of the Promises.
Within this call God gave three promises:
The Promise of the Promised Land
The Promise of conquering all enemies
The Promise of the unbroken presence of God.
The Promise of the Promised Land-God gave this land to His People. It is a gift from God Himself;
Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory.
A. The people had a responsibility to march forth and the claim the land by faith. As they marched forth they would secure the land that flowed “Milk and Honey.
B. It was an enormous territory. It was about 56,000 square miles.
The Promise of Conquering all Enemies- As the Israelites would move forward they would face opposition. There would be enemies who would confront and wage war against them. These enemies would do all they could do to defeat the Israelites and enslave or kill them. But God’s great promise was that they would defeat all enemies that opposed them.
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.
A. As believers we have these same promises. As we march forth to our promised land (heaven) we will be victorious against our enemies as well.
B. We have to trust God as we go forward.
C. If we trust God, we will conquer all the enemies, trials, and temptations that confront us.
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
The Promise of the unbroken presence of God
The Israelites would defeat all enemies by the presence of God. God promised to be with them, never to leave them nor forsake them.
That promise comes right down to us. He will never leave us nor forsake us.
No matter what enemy, trial, or temptation we may face, no matter the trouble, difficulty, or problem, no matter the size or the strength or how destructive God will be with Us.
teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
God gives Joshua a charge to be “Strong and Courageous.”
God gives Joshua a charge to be “Strong and Courageous.”
Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
God encouraged Joshua to be “strong and courageous” in his task.
God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous. Because the task that Joshua had was not going to be easy. This was not going to be few days of war or a few weeks. This was going to be several years of facing enemies and seeing the things that come from warfare.
Joshua had a task and God knew it was going to be hard. So God encouraged him.
God encouraged Joshua to be “strong and courageous” in obeying His Law, and His Word.
God told Joshua what to do: God never leaves things up in the air
A. He was to obey all God’s Law.
B. He was not to turn away from God’s Word.
C. He was to always share God’s law and Word.
D. He was to meditate on God’s Word day and night. This would assure obedience.
Now this obedience would result in the fact that no matter where Joshua went he would prosper.
God encouraged Joshua to be “strong and courageous” in overcoming fear and discouragement.
Having to face enemy after enemy, year after year- having to make decisions to send young men, husbands, and father’s into battle time and time again who would witness bloodshed and horror of battle after battle, all of these things could break down the “strength and courage” of any commander and army. God knew this. So God encouraged Joshua to overcome the fear and discouragement that he faced.
I want us to know that we are called to be “strong and courageous” in our lives as we face things each and everyday.
We must be strong and courageous in obeying God.
a. obey the Word of God and the commandments.
b. we should never turn away from His word.
c. we should always meditate on it night and day.
In accordance to God’s word if we do these things we will be blessed.
2. We must be strong and courageous as we walk through life.
a. Fear and discouragement can only be defeated if we are strong and courageous.
b. As we go through life we can be strong and courageous because we know God is with us.
When we face enemies, trials, temptations, tough situations, or even difficult people we can do it with the encouragement that God is right there with with us. That God will deliver us and give us victory.
We Must Stand Strong and Courageous, conquering and fulfilling our task for the Lord.
As we close today, remember the promise of heaven, the promise of victory, and the promise of God’s presence as we move forward be encouraged to fulfill the task that we are called to do.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.