Let's Go Forward (New Beginnings)
#1 in Series: "Learning from the Past, Preparing for the Future"
(A Study in the Book of Joshua)
Life has its chapters… Like a well-written book, there is anticipation, expectation, and even a little intimidation with the turning of the page – and it is just as true, with the turning of a page on the calendar…
Some chapters in life are more dramatic than others – more challenging than others – and sometimes, more enjoyable than others… We just really don't know when one chapter may end, and another begins, until we … turn the page.
Many of you have experienced new chapters in life, just this year. You, or people dear to you, have experienced a change in a job, the promotion within a job, or the loss of a job… Others have experienced the joy of a wedding, or the heart-ache of a loved one passing away… Birth, and death bring new chapters to a family…
The point is, no one person, no family, no community, or church … stays in the same chapter for long… Even if you are in what seems like a long chapter, in hindsight it will prove to be shorter than … anticipated…
It is wise to learn from the past – we become better equipped to make even better decisions for the future… We learn not just from our own past, but by observing the life of others… One need not experience everything in life, to know whether or not something is wise, good, or worthwhile… The wisest among us are those who have learned well from their own experiences, as well as gleaning wisdom from the experiences of others…
One generation can benefit from the wisdom of other generations, if they are wise enough to … learn from them.
That's what brings us to the study of the book of Joshua… Lord willing, we are going to spend the next few months learning from a generation who long preceded us – lessons that will help us pursue what is good and best for our lives today!
You may wonder why anyone should study an ancient book like Joshua… Some raise questions like that, because they are not convinced that history provides any value for today… It is a foolish generation that is not willing to learn from previous generations…
When it comes to the book of Joshua, many may wonder what good can be gleaned from a book that records the grim realities of war, struggle for survival, doubts, defeat, and death?... We study this book, because it is a part of God's revealed story! It is a part of God's Holy Word, and we need to understand the importance and value of being instructed by God's Word! Just like the Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, and to Timothy –
Romans 15:4
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
And, the more detailed truth about God's Word, that –
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
So, the study of God's Word – all of it – any part of it – is for our benefit! We learn what we need to learn for life and faith! We get corrected where we need to be corrected. We get strengthened in the things needed for facing … life!
This is why we are going to study the book of Joshua together… It is a book that records a major turning-of-the-page in Israel's history, and provides for us many essential life lessons…
Listen to what Warren Wiersbe says in his introduction –
"The book of Joshua is the book of new beginnings for the people of God, and many believers today need a new beginning. After forty years of wandering in the wilderness, Israel claimed their inheritance and enjoyed the blessings of the land that God had prepared for them, "as the days of heaven upon the earth" (Deut. 11:21). That's the kind of life God wants us to experience today. Jesus Christ, our Joshua, wants to lead us in conquest now and share with us all the treasures of His wonderful inheritance. He has "blessed us with all spiritual blessings" (Eph. 1:3), but too often we live like defeated paupers."
I think he's right… We need what God has revealed in this book. We need the very God of this book…
Let's get into an introduction to the book… I have gleaned much from others in the study, especially Warren Wiersbe at the beginning, but more than the wisdom of man, it is our endeavor to gain the wisdom of God in what He has given us in this … transformative book!
You will see several passages referenced in your notes that we don't have time to read, but I encourage you to review, and delve even deeper into these truths as we share this series together…
Let's begin by considering –
1. The Preparing of a New Leader
One does not read Exodus through the book of Deuteronomy, without focusing a lot of attention on Moses… He was a special character in God's plan for His people. Moses was the one whom God raised to lead His people out of the bondage of Egypt. God gave Moses the Law, and Moses was … no small force… Who could follow him?
Well, the short answer is simply … the one whom God has planned!... The Sovereign Lord is in control of history – and He has His plan well in place!
Let's take a closer look at the man whom God raises to follow after Moses…
First, let's consider –
Joshua the slave
Slavery doesn't sound like a … choice beginning. No one would be looking to someone with that background to be the best choice for a national leader – no one, that is – except God!
Joshuah was born in slavery in Egypt. He was given the name Hoshea (Num. 13:8), which means "salvation"... Moses later changed it to Joshua –
Numbers 13:16
These are the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land; but Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun, Joshua.
The name Joshuah means "Jehovah is salvation"... Joshua is the Hebrew form of the name; "Jesus" (Matt. 1:21; Acts 7:45, Heb. 4:8).
Joshua was of the tribe of Ephraim. He was the firstborn son of Nun…
Do you remember what danger was in store for the "firstborn" on the night of the Passover?... Had Joshuah's parents not been faithful to follow the Lord, and obey His command to provide the sacrifice … Joshuah would not have lived through that night!... The fact that he lived, says a lot about the faithfulness of his parents!
Joshua grew up in such a home where the Lord was believed, obeyed, and followed!... Somewhere along the way, Joshua came to such faith himself!
What we learn next, is about –
Joshua the soldier
Exodus 17:8-16 records the details for us, that Joshua was a faithful, and trusted … soldier! He led the campaign against the Amalekites, when they came against Israel only a couple of months after their exodus out of Egypt…
"Moses was a prophet and legislator, but Joshua was a general with exceptional military skills. He was also a man of great courage, who wasn't afraid to confront the enemy and trust the Lord for victory." (Wiersbe)
The next chapter in Joshua's life, is –
Joshua the servant
(Exodus 24:13, Josh. 1:8, 5:13–15, 19:49–51
Not only was Joshua a proven soldier, he became the trusted … assistant to Moses! But, what is more important, is that Joshua was a servant … unto the Lord!
Joshua was successful as a leader, because he was faithful as a … servant! His success was directly correlated to his faithfulness!
His faithfulness unto the Lord, is seen in his faithfulness … to the Word of God!
I think there is strong evidence, that this servant… had a servant's heart! Joshua demonstrated humility and grace even near the end of his life, when it came time to divide the Promised Land, to all the tribes … Joshua claimed his share … last (Josh. 19:49–51).
Let's think about –
Joshua the spy
(Numbers 13, 14:1–9)
When the children of Israel first came out of Egypt, and Moses … commissioned a band of spies to cross over Jordan and scope out the land – Joshua was one of those 12 spies…
You recall that when they come back to Moses, and gave their report – that it was a divided report. The "majority report" was … negative. It was based in … unbelief!...
However, there was a "minority report" given by Joshua and Caleb that was a call to the nation to be faithful and believing, and to cross over the Jordan river, and begin to take the Land that God has promised!...
You know what happened!... The "majority" ruled the day – and the nation did not go forward… They chose to adopt the majority report, and as a result, God would "delay" their arrival to the Promised Land… It would 40 years in the dessert, and the dying off of a generation, before the nation would enter the Land…
Joshua's experience in that chapter of life … helped prepare him for the responsibilities he would inherit when he becomes the leader of the nation…
That brings us to consider –
Joshua the successor
(Numbers 27:12–23; Deut. 3:23–29, Josh. 1:17, 1 Thess. 5:12–13)
Mose's time has to come to an end… God has well-prepared Joshua to become the next leader of Israel… Moses interceeds in behalf of Israel, that the Lord would give them their next leader. Listen to how the Lord answers that prayer –
Numbers 27:15-20
15 Then Moses spoke to the Lord, saying, 16 "May the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, 17 who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the Lord will not be like sheep which have no shepherd." 18 So the Lord said to Moses, "Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; 19 and have him stand before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and commission him in their sight. 20 You shall put some of your authority on him, in order that all the congregation of the sons of Israel may obey him.
Many may have thought that it would be Aaron, simply because of Aaron's prominence in being Moses' assistant… But God's clear choice was for Joshua – was it because Joshua was perfect? – of course not!...
God uses imperfect people to accomplish His plans … for His glory!... Joshua will prove to be a leader who won't always make the best of decisions – flawed people never do. Rather, God's choice of Joshua will prove that it is … God, Who is in authority, behind Joshua's authority!...
The people of God had learned well under Moses, that they were to follow God's man!... Listen to the pledge of their commitment to do so!
Joshua 1:17
Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you; only may the Lord your God be with you as He was with Moses.
God expects His people to follow His authority … through His chosen leaders!... That principle doesn't change in the N.T… Listen to the Holy Spirit's Words, given through the Apostle Paul to the church of Thessalonica –
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
Let's move on today, and consider –
2. The Promise of a New Land
The word "land" appears almost 90 times in the book of Joshua… The major theme of the book has to do with the historical record of Israel finally entering the Promise Land… This book records their struggles, battles, setbacks and victories, in finally receiving their inheritance…
For many centuries, the people of God have been living with the promise that this land would be theirs one day…
God promised to give the land to Abraham (Gen. 12:1–7; 13:15–17; 15:7, 18; 17:8; 24:7), and He reaffirmed the promise to Isaac (26:1–5), Jacob (28:4, 13, 15; 35:12), and their descendants (50:24). The exodus narrative gives many reaffirmations of the promise (3:8, 17; 6:4, 8; 12:25; 13:5, 11; 16:35; 23:20–33; 33:1–3; 34:10–16), and these are repeated in Leviticus (14:34; 18:3; 19:23; 20:22–24; 23:10; 25:2, 38) and Numbers (11:12; 15:2, 18; 16:13–14; 20:12, 24; 27:12; 33:53; 34:2, 12). (See also 1 Chron. 16:14–18.)
The point is … this land belongs to God, and He has pledged it to His chosen people!
"The land" had always been in Israel's future… It is about to become their "present"... I don't mean that it is a mere "gift". Rather, it will become their … assignment to go get!... Their present tense assignment – their present tense focus … is to go in, conquer, and … possess the land, the land long ago promised by God! It belongs to Him, and He can designate it to whom He pleases!
It is a "good land", a "beautiful land", a land described as "flowing with milk and honey", and God has promised it to His people! (Deut. 8:7–10, Josh. 1:13, 15; 11:23; 21:44; 22:4; 23:1, Ezek. 20:6, 15, Daniel 8:9, 11:16, 41, Ex. 3:8, 17; 13:5; 33:3; Lev. 20:24; Num. 13:27; Deut. 6:3; 11:9; et al.)
It is a desirable land. It has been throughout history, and within it, is the most … coveted real estate today!... Why? It is because this land is the land God destined to be the "stage" … "on which the great drama of redemption would be presented." (Wiersbe)
Wiersbe said –
Warren Wiersbe – "In Genesis 3:15, God promised to send a Savior to the world, and the first step in the fulfilling of that promise was the call of Abraham. Beginning with Genesis 12, the Old Testament record focuses on the Jews and the land of Israel. Abraham left Ur of the Chaldees to go to that new land, and there Isaac and Jacob were born. God announced that the Redeemer would come from the tribe of Judah (49:10) and the family of David (2 Sam. 7). He would be born of a virgin in Bethlehem (Isa. 7:14; Mic. 5:2) and one day die for the sins of the world (Isa. 53; Ps. 22). All these important events in the drama of redemption would take place in the land of Israel, the land that Joshua was called to conquer and claim."
Now, before we launch into our verse-by-verse study of the book, there is another key principle we need to consider – and we'll call it –
3. The Parallel to the a New Life
Now, we need to be careful as we walk through this point… The book of Joshuah is a book of history… It is the report of actual people, actual places, actual events… There is always a danger when you turn a narrative into an alagory… People have been deceived, by that approach with the Bible.
The Bible is to be studied and interpreted, according to the genre of the text… Too many people have sought to … dismiss actual historical events by treating the report of them, as mere allegory… People have tried to do that with the creation account of Scripture, in fact the first 11 chapters of Genesis have been treated by many, as if they were mere allegory, and it has created confusion, deceit, and outright heresy…
There are plenty of allegories, and parables in the Scripture, and they are presented as such in the Scripture… Be careful to not "re-assign" a journalist style of a passage that is different from its actual genre – that is one of the ploys of Satan!... He does it in order to deceive and mislead people…
The book of Joshuah is an historical narrative, but many … well-meaning Christians have treated it as allegory, and it has led to some rather sad, if not embarrassing, beliefs…
For example, there are some old favored hymns and songs that have been written depicting Israel's crossing of the Jordan River, with the experience of the death of the redeemed…
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
1. I looked over Jordan, and what did I see?
Coming for to carry me home?
A band of angels, coming after me,
Coming for to carry me home.
2. If you get there before I do,
Coming for to carry me home,
Tell all my friends I'm coming too,
Coming for to carry me home.
3. I'm sometimes up and sometimes down,
Coming for to carry me home,
But still my soul feels heavenly bound,
Coming for to carry me home.
Here's one written by the 18th century, Baptist pastor, Samuel Stennett
1 On Jordan's stormy banks I stand,
and cast a wishful eye
to Canaan's fair and happy land,
where my possessions lie.
Refrain:
I am bound for the promised land,
I am bound for the promised land;
oh, who will come and go with me?
I am bound for the promised land.
2 O'er all those wide extended plains
shines one eternal day;
there God the Son forever reigns,
and scatters night away. [Refrain]
3 No chilling winds or poisonous breath
can reach that healthful shore;
sickness and sorrow, pain and death,
are felt and feared no more. [Refrain]
4 When I shall reach that happy place,
I'll be forever blest,
for I shall see my Father's face,
and in his bosom rest. [Refrain]
The classic hymn – Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah, listen to the third verse –
3 When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death, and hell's Destruction,
land me safe on Canaan's side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever sing to you,
I will ever sing to you.
So… we need to be careful about assigning new meanings to actual events… Now, having said that – there are often deeper truths that are seen in, or illustrated by a narrative… Perhaps a better word than "illustration" would be the word … parallel!...
Here's the point… Historical narrative tells the reality of what happens in the physical world, right?... Well, the physical world is not all there is to reality!... There is the unseen spiritual world that is often difficult to fully grasp… Sometimes we can see a parallel, or pattern that occurs in the physical world, that is also true of the spiritual world…
That is exactly why we see parables, metaphors and allegories used in the Scriptures… When Jesus said –
Matthew 13:31
"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed…
Matthew 13:33
"The kingdom of heaven is like leaven…
Matthew 13:44
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field…
Matthew 13:45
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls,
Matthew 13:47
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea…
Matthew 20:1
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers…
Jesus is showing how the reality of the spiritual world / the Kingdom of God, can be better understood when comparing parallel truths and patterns seen in the physical world…
Jesus isn't the only one to see, and use parallels, and patterns in the physical world, to illustrate similarities in the spiritual world… The Apostle Paul said –
Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
Do you see the point?... Paul used patterns in agriculture to illustrate, what happens in the spiritual, or moral world…
So, we can read an historical account of something – like the book of Joshuah – and also see patterns in the physical that can serve as an illustration, or parallel to a reality in the spiritual world, and that is okay – as long as we don't turn the narrative into an illustration and claim that is the purpose of the book!
To better appreciate and understand the study we are about to undertake, let's back out of the immediate history of Israel, and consider more of a … big picture for a moment…
In Israel's history, there were four significant … geographic locations that … parallel, or illustrate four different spiritual experiences in Israel's history…
Let's think about this quickly…
Egypt depicts death and bondage
Israel went to Egypt during Joseph's lifetime… Long after he had passed away, a different Pharaoh came to power, and had no appreciation for, or loyalty to Joseph and the Isralites… As a result, Israel became the slaves of Egypt…
In short, Egypt was the long experience of … death and bondage for Israel…
The Passover event, given by God, was an act of grace that would lead to the release of Israel, and would lead to their freedom!
What came, almost immediately afterwards, and would last for another four decades, was Israel's experience in the wilderness…
So, what is the spiritual condition of Israel that we see in the wilderness experience?... I'm glad you asked…
The wilderness depicts unbelief and disobedience
(Ex. 16:1–3, Num. 11, 14:2–4, Isa. 30:3; 31:1)
The only reason Israel ended up wandering around the desert for four decades – was because of their momentary unbelief and willful disobedience… The Israelites were delivered out of Egypt – but Egypt was not delivered out of Israel!...
We read of their pattern to complain… It is a season – a long season in their history that they struggled with for some time… Listen to what the Prophet Isaiah said, centuries later –
Isaiah 31:1
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help
And rely on horses,
And trust in chariots because they are many
And in horsemen because they are very strong,
But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!
Israel had the tendency of … looking to the world, for which they should have been looking to the Lord for!... Does that describe you?...
May the Lord deliver us from wilderness unbelief and disobedience…
As we will well learn through our journey through the book of Joshuah –
Canaan depicts conflict and victory / faith and obedience / riches and rest
What was true for the Israelites in Cannan, is true on the spiritual plain for the Christian… Life is filled with the challenge of conflict – the experience of victory – the building of faith – lessons in obedience – and the discovery of our spiritual riches and rest we have in Christ!...
This is the reality of life, and the promise of our Savior!... Listen to the Apostle John –
1 John 5:4-5
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
The truth is, the Christian is in Christ. Jesus is our refuge and rest. The question is, are we … appropriating this truth? Do we live each day, in the reality of God's revealed truth – or are we … living a divided life?
Joshua's question, that he issued to Israel, is a question that each of us need to answer –
Joshua 18:3
So Joshua said to the sons of Israel, "How long will you put off entering to take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?
There is one more, major geographical location in Israel's history, that represents … some heavy, but necessary truths… Let's think about how –
Babylon depicts discipline and correction
Babylon comes after generations of … compromise. God's people of old struggled with vacillating between wanting to be like the world, and wanting to remain faithful to the Lord.
Babylon became their "time out"!... God's people would spend seventy years in the crucible of captivity to a pagan nation!... The reason God used unbelievers to discipline believers – is because of the willful unbelief of those who know better!
Discipline and correction are often the experience of God's people today!... When foster a divided heart – a love for the world – and a love for the Lord … sooner or later, the Lord will discipline His Own – why? Because He is the Perfect, loving Father…
Listen to what the Holy Spirit gave us through the writer of Hebrews –
Hebrews 12:7-11
7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. 11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
What is the Lord teaching, by way of such discipline?... He is calling us to get right!... We are called to a life that reflects the character of God – the holiness of God!
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Let me close with Wiersbe's summary of the book of Joshua –
Warren Wiersbe – "The leading person in the book of Joshua is not Joshua but the Lord Jehovah, the God of Joshua and of Israel. In all that Joshua did by faith, he desired to glorify the Lord. When the Jews crossed the Jordan River, Joshua reminded them that the living God was among them and would overcome their enemies (Josh. 3:10). Through Israel's obedience, Joshua wanted all the people of the earth to know the Lord and fear Him (4:23–24). In his 'farewell addresses' to the leaders (chap. 23) and to the nation (chap. 24), Joshua gave God all the glory for what Israel had accomplished under his leadership."
Questions to Consider in Community Group:
- What benefit is studying the Old Testament for the New Testament believer?
- What do we learn about Joshua, the man, that should bring encouragement to us today?
- What is the lesson, or lessons, that we should learn from "the Promised Land"?
- Which "geographical" lesson do you think describes the current culture of Christianity today? (In other words, how are we most like the Israelites throughout their history?)
- What are your thoughts any of the quotes from Warren Wiersbe?
Warren Wiersbe – "The book of Joshua is the book of new beginnings for the people of God, and many believers today need a new beginning. After forty years of wandering in the wilderness, Israel claimed their inheritance and enjoyed the blessings of the land that God had prepared for them, "as the days of heaven upon the earth" (Deut. 11:21). That's the kind of life God wants us to experience today. Jesus Christ, our Joshua, wants to lead us in conquest now and share with us all the treasures of His wonderful inheritance. He has "blessed us with all spiritual blessings" (Eph. 1:3), but too often we live like defeated paupers."
Warren Wiersbe – "In Genesis 3:15, God promised to send a Savior to the world, and the first step in the fulfilling of that promise was the call of Abraham. Beginning with Genesis 12, the Old Testament record focuses on the Jews and the land of Israel. Abraham left Ur of the Chaldees to go to that new land, and there Isaac and Jacob were born. God announced that the Redeemer would come from the tribe of Judah (49:10) and the family of David (2 Sam. 7). He would be born of a virgin in Bethlehem (Isa. 7:14; Mic. 5:2) and one day die for the sins of the world (Isa. 53; Ps. 22). All these important events in the drama of redemption would take place in the land of Israel, the land that Joshua was called to conquer and claim."
Warren Wiersbe – "The leading person in the book of Joshua is not Joshua but the Lord Jehovah, the God of Joshua and of Israel. In all that Joshua did by faith, he desired to glorify the Lord. When the Jews crossed the Jordan River, Joshua reminded them that the living God was among them and would overcome their enemies (Josh. 3:10). Through Israel's obedience, Joshua wanted all the people of the earth to know the Lord and fear Him (4:23–24). In his 'farewell addresses' to the leaders (chap. 23) and to the nation (chap. 24), Joshua gave God all the glory for what Israel had accomplished under his leadership."
