A Review
Do you remember the name of the man who led the people of Israel into Canaan? It was Joshua. He had been a servant, or helper to Moses when they were at Mt. Sinai and God gave the laws; he had heard God’s words and seen and felt His glory, and had seen His miracles (Ex. 24:1313And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God. (Exodus 24:13)).
Do you remember that twelve men were sent ahead into Canaan to see and learn of the country, and that Joshua and one other were all who gave a good report, and had courage to go there, as God had told them? (Num. 14:6-96And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: 7And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. 8If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. 9Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not. (Numbers 14:6‑9))
When Joshua was told to lead the people, after Moses’ death, he was ready to obey God, although the river Jordan was before them, with no way to cross.
“Joshua rose early in the morning” (Josh. 3:11And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. (Joshua 3:1)), and the great company moved to the river. God divided the waters of the river when they were very high, and all the people and animals went to the other side on dry ground.
The people in the land of Canaan had become more and more wicked: they had heard how the Red Sea had been divided to bring them from Egypt, yet they would not believe or honor God. Jericho was the first, city Joshua and the men of Israel came to, and God sent them around it seven times before the walls were overthrown. This shows, the people were given time to repent and believe but they would not, only one woman and her family (Joshua 2:10,11; 6:2510For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. 11And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. (Joshua 2:10‑11)
25And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. (Joshua 6:25); Heb.11:30,31).
God has always been ready to show mercy to anyone who would believe Him. But He gave Joshua and others power to subdue the enemies (Genesis 22:77). It was only when they would not turn from wickedness, God sent punishment.
But since the time of Joshua, God had sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to earth to bring peace; to be their Saviour, from the dreadful sins which cause war. Christ was refused as Lord and Ruler, but He did not show His power to punish.
Those who believed Christ were told to use a strange sword, the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
But the life and work of Joshua are lessons for God’s people now, to learn to have courage to obey God, and to ask Him to direct, hut yet not for war with real swords and weapons.
Notice these words of Moses to Joshua, “The Lord, He it is that doth go before thee: He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:88And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:8).
We do not now go to take lands as Joshua led Israel, but God would have His people to know His promises of blessings in Christ.
ML 12/20/1942