June 2, 2011
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The Victorious Life of Joshua Part 15
After God tells Joshua about the territory, He tells him something else.
Jos 1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, [so] I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Now, aside from the fact that God said this to Joshua, what gave him confidence in the face of their challenge? I ask this because God tells us many times that He is our provider, and will take care of all our needs, but oftentimes, in the face of our adversity, our faith fails.
So why was Joshua so confident in the word of the Lord? After all, he was stepping into some very large shoes in the wake of Moses’ leadership.
Now, at the time of Moses’ pending death, he was told he would die. Its not like my friend thought; that he was first taken up to the mount and then told. He was told prior to even going up on the mount.
Num 27:12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel.
Num 27:13 And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered.
Num 27:14 For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that [is] the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.
Because Moses knew he was soon to die, he made a request of God.
Num 27:16 Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,
Num 27:17 Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.
God’s answer was to appoint Joshua; and look at how he established him and the policy involved in this promotion.
- He has the Spirit of the Lord indwelling.
- Power is passed on to him.
Num 27:18 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom [is] the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;
3. The authority given is publicized.
Num 27:19 And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.
4. Honor is bestowed.
Num 27:20 And thou shalt put [some] of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
5. The chain of command is established.
Num 27:21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask [counsel] for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, [both] he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
Num 27:22 And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation:
Num 27:23 And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.
So, when God comes and gives Joshua this proclamation of His intent, Joshua believes it and walks forth in faith, because his position and relationship with God and as leader has been firmly established.
