God is With You

Introduction

The book of Joshua represents the continuation of fulfilling the promises God gave to mankind earlier in the Bible. In Genesis 3 we see God promises future judgement to the serpent. While at the same time promises a savior in the proto-gospel, or pre-gospel, message. In verse 15, God says, He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel. In Genesis 12, 17, 22, God promises to bless Abraham and His descendants. In Exodus 3 we see Moses call to lead the people out of slavery in Egypt to the land God promised to Abraham. Joshua brings the fulfillment of God’s promises by forcefully taking possession of the land flowing with milk and honey. In this first chapter we obtain a beautiful view of the immutability of God. That He doesn’t change, but can be trusted to follow through with all His promises. He is the all powerful God. Meaning we can trust and obey Him.

(Pic. Slide - Plains of Moab)

Israel is currently camped east of the Jordan River, on the plains of Moab. Moses has been the general for the past 40 years, but because He disobeyed God at Kadesh by striking the rock (Numbers. 20:1-13), he was not allowed to cross the Jordan River into the Land of Promise. Instead, God takes Moses up to the top of Mount Nebo where he is shown the whole land of Canaan. The Whole Israelite nation mourns for 30 days. Then Joshua steps up and takes command of the nation.

Yahweh’s Orders

The Commitment

Joshua 1:1-2, 5, After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: “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...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.”

Genesis begin with “In the Beginning.” Exodus, Leviticus,. and Numbers, begin with “and” because these books are continuing the story of Israel’s history. Deuteronomy doesn’t begin with “and” because it is a retelling of the history and the law. I wonder if you can guess the first word in the book of Joshua? Joshua begins with AND. Unfortunately most English Bibles do not put it in. Because it demonstrates that the same God who created the world, who made a nation out of one man and woman. Who supernaturally brought the tribes of Israel out of slavery and sustained them throughout their 40 year wondering, is now bringing to bear the promise of a land to call their own. Joshua 1:1 should be, And after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying. If you turn back a page and look at Deuteronomy 34 you see that God has given Moses a glimpse of the Promised Land just before he dies. In Deuteronomy 34:9 we see Joshua is God’s chosen man to lead the armies of Israel to claim their inheritance. The introduction in Joshua is God telling Israel that though this is a new chapter in their history it is still the same story of making a great nation that will be a blessing to the world.

I love the language God uses to encourage Joshua in his new role as commander. Joshua 1:5, “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.” Often when a great leader dies the people scatter to the four winds. This is only a month after Moses passing. How would you feel if you had to fill big shoes only a month after their passing? It would be very difficult. Joshua is God’s man over Israel and must stop thinking of his unworthiness. He may have been thinking thoughts such as these: I’m not as gifted at this as Moses, nor am I young enough anymore. So why doesn’t God choose a young man? Doubts have a tendency to inhibit the good work God has planned for us to do.

God knows our weaknesses and those things that limit our effectiveness. He encourages Joshua to believe Him, to trust in His power. Jesus says a similar thing to His disciples at the end of Matthew. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus says, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 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.”

The Crossing

Joshua had been Moses assistant since his youth and was being groomed as his successor. That time has now come and so God comes down to meet with Joshua and authorize His leadership over Israel as they begin to take the Land God promised to them. God says in Joshua 1:2, “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. It’s interesting to see the parallels to Moses. Moses led the tribes of Israel out of slavery to Egypt and across the Red Sea. Joshua, however, leads the nation Israel over the Jordan River and into the Promised Land.

God commands Joshua to begin the march, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people. Take command and lead these people, for it is time to move across the Jordan to claim your gift.

The Conquest

(Pic. Slide - Israel’s Boundaries)

Still assuring Joshua, God says, Joshua 1:3-4, 6, 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. “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. What an amazing gift God is giving His people. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread is to be given as a gift to Israel. From the desert of Sin and Paran in the south, think Kadesh Barnea, to Lebanon in the North, with its great cedar trees. From the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. We will have time to ponder the size of the land in the future, God willing. I think the point to these verses is that God is gifting Israel with a great portion of land, one where all the children of Israel will have plenty of space to grow and thrive.

God calls Joshua to be strong and of good courage. Joshua is not a young man at the time he took command of Israel. We are told in Numbers 1 that Moses was to count all the males 20 years and older. In Number 14:29 all those who were numbered were excluded from entry into the Promised Land, and so died while in the wilderness, except for Caleb and Joshua. We are told in Joshua 14:6-10 that Caleb was 40 when he went in to spy the land and is now 85. Remember that Israel spent 40 years after the botched spying, in the wilderness. We are not told how old Joshua is, except that he dies at 110 years old. I think it’s safe to say that Joshua may well have been a similar age to Caleb. Can You imagine leading the whole of Israel at 80 years old. In his younger years, Joshua was very strong and courageous. We read in Exodus 17 that He led mighty warriors to victory against the Amelakites. As we know age steals our strength and courage. We become weak and feeble. Not able to do the things of the past.

I think Joshua may well have been thinking of his age. Yes Moses was the same age when he got called up, and yes Joshua knew the story well. But that was Moses, and this is him. That was then and this is now. God insists that Joshua is God’s chosen instrument to lead Israel to victory and take the their inheritance, which God promised to their fathers.

God’s Word - The Bible

Joshua’s leadership is not the only new thing for Israel. The way God interacts with His people is changing. No longer is the leader going to meet regularly with God face to face. No longer is supernatural revelation going to be the norm for His people. There is continuity between the way Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses met with God. But now Moses has written the Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Torah was written for the generations to come, that they would know God, know His word, hear and obey.

Joshua 1:7-9, 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.”

The express reason for Joshua to be strong and courageous is to “observe to do according to all the law.” The most important work any Believer, and especially those leading the church, are to do is observe God’s Word. Only then will you be able to stay on the straight path, not turning from it to the right hand or to the left. A popular view within liberal circles is to attribute the first five books to post Babylon exile, late 6th and later, authorship. Joshua represents Genesis through to Deuteronomy as God’s voice through the writings of Moses.

Joshua tells us to observe the Law of Moses, but also not to allow God’s word to depart form your mouth. God was teaching Joshua that the way to live a blessed life in the Promised land is to internalize God’s Word, meditate on it day and night. Their are many temptations in this world that take our hearts away from glorifying God. God knew that the land in front of them would produce many opportunities to weaken Israel’s trust and resolve. Throughout the book we read of the strong and courageous Joshua who planted himself in the Word of God. Trusted in God’s promises to always be with him and the nation. Joshua trusted that it was God winning the battles for Israel. making their way prosperous and making them have success.

Conclusion

In the Bible we have a beautiful story of how God demonstrated His sovereignty of creation. In every generation there may be men used in great ways to shore up the faith. However, eventually he leaves and another takes his place. We are seeing this in our own Church. Our dearly beloved pastor, Rudi, retired immediately before Covid shut everything down. Instead of the church collapsing into a heap, God continued to rule and flourish us. The minister may change from time to time but our God never changes.

Joshua 1 calls us to be strong and courageous. We don’t need programs and clever people, but simple submission to God and obedience to His living and abiding Word.