Tag Archives: Joshua

Joshua 11, 2 Timothy 1

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In Joshua 11, an army is assembled against the Israelites, described as “a great horde, in number like the sand that is on the seashore, with very many horses and chariots.” Yet God tells Joshua “Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel”. Joshua and Israel destroyed this army, “he left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses”. Afterwards, Israel received their inheritance and then “the land had rest from war”.

Paul in 2 Timothy 1 also gives advice about fear, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control”. Like Joshua and Israel were encouraged not to be afraid because God was with them, so Paul encourages Timothy and us not to be afraid or “ashamed of the testimony about our Lord”. Paul could say “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed… Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard in me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus”.

 

Joshua 10, Isaiah 14

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Joshua 10 describes God working with Israel to defeat their enemies, the 5 kings of the Amorites. It was an incredible situation. Adoni-zedek, fearing Israel after their battle against Ai, preemptively attacks Gibeon due to their alliance with Israel. Joshua and the army of Israel march all night, fight a battle early in the morning, then pursue their enemies as they fled. God had told Joshua. “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you”.

Not only did God help the Israelites fight a battle of overwhelming odds, he sends massive hailstones on the fleeing army, and “there were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword”. Furthermore, God even lengthened the day to give Israel time to finish killing off the Amorites, “the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies.” This shows us how far God was willing to God to help Israel.

Isaiah 14 describes God’s mercy, “for the Lord will have compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel, and will set them in their own land.” There would come a time when “the Lord has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and hard service”. Even when Israel had strayed from serving God, He was watching over them. What an incredible example of God’s mercy, the same mercy that He extends to us.

Joshua 22, Hebrews 11

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Joshua thanks the Reubenites, Gadites, and tribe of Manessah for their faithful service in obeying Moses, and helping the tribes on the other side of Jordan take possession of their inheritance. They had “been careful to keep the charge of the Lord your God“, and were now invited to return to their homes and live in their own inheritance.  Finally, they were reminded “be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul“.

This is a great example of putting the needs of others ahead of oneself. For years the men of these tribes had fought the Canaanites, while being unable to enjoy their own inheritance.  They had faith that God would protect their families, living undefended across the river.

We are similarly called upon to have faith in God’s promises, knowing that God has provided something better for us than this present life. Let us, like the Israelites, desire a better, heavenly country, and demonstrate that faith in our lives.

Joshua 14

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We read of the faith of Caleb in Joshua 14 who brought a report of the land that was faithful, “I wholly followed the Lord my God”.  Because of this faith, Moses promised Caleb an inheritance in the land, “‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God”.

45 years later, Caleb could say “the Lord has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the Lord spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness… I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me”.

At the age of 85 Caleb was one of just 2 people that left Egypt and inherited the land.  God kept him alive and healthy, ensuring that Caleb could take his promised land from the Anakim that scared the other 10 spies.  Just as Abraham and Moses will inherit this land in the near future, so we too can share in this hope. Let’s follow Caleb’s example, and completely focus our lives on following God.

 

 

Joshua 22, Isaiah 28, Hebrews 11

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In Joshua 22 we read about the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh building an altar of witness, a permanent object to remind them and their descendants that they were part of the covenant made with God, to serve God and keep the law.  They describe the altar as “a witness between us that the Lord is God.”

God says in Isaiah 28 “I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation”.

Hebrews 11 describes faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” We’ve never physically seen that sure foundation that God created. We have no physical monument to remind us of the covenant we’ve made with God. But through faith, we know that the sure foundation of Christ exists, that we can build our lives on the certainty of God’s promise.  Through faith, we can be witnesses to each other, to encourage and remind of that covenant made with God, and help each other grow and develop in God’s love.

Joshua 13, Isaiah 17-18, 2 Timothy 3-4

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“To the tribe of Levi Moses gave no inheritance; the Lord God of Israel is their inheritance”.  The Levites are great examples for us. They stood up for Godly principles, and in so doing received an inheritance greater than the physical land. Forced to rely completely on God for their continued existence, their lives were dedicated to God. Although by Isaiah’s time the people were condemned for not remembering “the God of your salvation…the Rock of your refuge”, the Levites were forced to live a life that demonstrated that trust, by virtue of them not receiving part of the promised land as an inheritance.

That sort of trust in God is important for us to develop, especially as Paul says “in the last days there will come times of difficulty”. We all have difficulties in our life, and together we can help each other overcome those difficulties.  Prayer for each other is an important part of that help, and when we’re aware of specific problems that others are having, I think it’s important to follow Paul’s example and pray for God to help them.

Let us, as Timothy, follow Paul’s teaching, conduct, aim in life, faith, patience, love and steadfastness, that we too might be “complete, equipped for every good work” in our discipleship of Christ.

 

Joshua 8, 1 Timothy 1-3

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Paul writes to Timothy, his “true child in the faith”, to guide and encourage him as his faith developed. He reminds Timonthy of the work of Jesus, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”, of whom Paul considered himself to be chief.  Fortunately, “God…desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  We can feel discouraged when sin affects our relationship with God, but we can also have confidence to turn again to God, knowing that He wants to have a relationship with us.

Paul describes this struggle against sin as a warfare, “wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience”, a battle that requires constant effort and long-term endurance. As God said to Joshua, “do not fear and do not be dismayed.”  God is with us as we grow and develop.

“The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” Let us work together to develop this love, knowing that we can have “great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”

 

 

 

Joshua 7, Isaiah 11, 2 Thessalonians 3

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Joshua’s reaction to a difficult situation is a great example to us. He approaches God, leading the elders of Israel in heartfelt prayer until evening, to seek understanding and forgiveness. God responds to that prayer, and the problem is addressed, allowing Israel to continue to conquer the land.

God kept His promise that Israel would inherit the promised land, just as He was faithful to the prophecies about Messiah, the “shoot from the stump of Jesse“.  Isaiah paints a picture of a time we all long for, when Jesus will judge the poor with righteousness  when the breath of Jesus’ lips will kill the wicked, and the earth will be full of the knowledge of God.  Even at that time, God will extend mercy “yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people.”  Our God is both just and merciful, “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance“.

Paul describes God as faithful. “He will establish you and guard you against the evil one…May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ“

 

Joshua 1, 1 Thessalonians 1-2

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“Be strong and courageous.” Meditate on God’s word day and night. Don’t be frightened, for God is with you wherever you go.  “I will not leave you or forsake you.” The words of the angel to Joshua are equally applicable to us today.

Much like Israel’s many battles fought to enter the promised land, we have many battles to fight. Just as the Thessalonians, who became imitators of Paul and Jesus in order to fight those battles, so must we.  The Thessalonians were great examples of faith, whose reputation went throughout Macedonia and Achaia.  They “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” We are similarly called to be witnesses of the hope available through Christ.  Let’s do the same as Paul, encouraging and exhorting one another to “walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls  you into his own kingdom and glory.“