Joshua 1
In the shadow and memory of Moses the Lord affirms Joshua as the
chosen leader of His people 1-9. The Lord says 'be strong and
courageous' 6,7,9. What encouragement is in the reality that the
Lord will never forsake 5b and is with you where ever you go 9b.
Note: It is difficult to follow someone (as a leader) who has been
a leader for many years. It is reassuring to know that the Lord has
others prepared to step into that role at the proper time. This
might be difficult for individuals, but God's work and plans
continue to move forward as the new leader is followed and obeyed
1-9. Joshua orders the officers to get ready to enter the land
10-11. The 2 ½ tribes are reminded of their obligation 12-15. The
answer Joshua with a pledge of obedience just as they had with
Moses 16-17. I am not sure if the statement 'fully obeyed' was
tongue and cheek or if they really believed that they has fully
obeyed Moses ? Their prayer is for the Lord to be with Joshua and
for him to be strong and courageous 17b-18 Note: God raises up
leaders for His people, but they must be willing to obey and follow
him. Do you pray for the spiritual leaders in your life (ie. your
pastor) ?
Joshua 2
Spies are sent into the land and are hidden by Rahab who is a
prostitute. She hides them and send the king's men away 1-7. Rahab
confesses the fear of her people and the greatness of the Lord
8-11. She asks to be spared, knowing that the Lord was giving them
the land 12-16. After helping the spies escape she puts a 'scarlet
cord' in her window as a sign that she and all who were in the
house were to be spared in the overthrow. 17-21. The spies report
back to Joshua that the Lord has given them into their hands 22-24.
Note: This time the report of the spies is a good one. Rahab was a
help to them by God's grace. Can the scarlet cord be symbolic of
the blood of Christ ? (Those under it are spared from
destruction, much like those who put the blood of the passover lamb
on their doors and were spared).
Joshua 3
All Israel crosses the Jordan River after the Lord miraculously
dried it up. This was the Lord's doing 13,15. They cross on dry
ground 17. Israel follows the ark which represented the Lord. Note:
There is no good natural explanation for this river to dry up at
flood stage, though some have foolishly attempted to. This was a
demonstration of God's power. Their entering the promised land
began with obedience and a supernatural act of God. Note: In the
Christian life when we fully give our lives to the Lord, we can be
filled with the Holy Spirit. The promised land is not heaven, but
life that is lived in the fullness of the Holy Spirit and all that
God has for His children. We enter it by the obedience (Ephesians
5:18) and faith (Hebrews 11:6).
Joshua 4
The Lord commands that twelve stones be taken from the middle of
the Jordan and set up as a memorial to the Lord's great power
1-7,20-24. The Lord dried up the Jordan during flood stage. He did
this as a testimony to Himself 24. The Lord did the same thing at
the Red Sea.
Dry ground means 'dry ground' 23-24 ! Note: Let's take God at His
word ! Believe in Him for nothing is impossible with God (Luke
1:37). Consider also; do you have 'memorial stones' in your life
that you can point to as a testimony to the Lord ?
Joshua 5
The miracle at the Jordan causes the inhabitants of the land to
fear and loose courage. (not possible with a natural explanation)
1. The Men of Israel are circumcised because they had not been
previously 2-9. Note: This would had made them vulnerable for a
time, but hey obey the Lord. Circumcision was the sign that they
were God's people and part of God's covenant (Genesis 17). Israel
celebrates the Passover 10. They eat some of the produce of the
land 11. The manna then stopped 12, which God had supernaturally
provided for 40 years. Now God would provide for them through the
land. Joshua encounters 'the commander of the army of the Lord'
13-15. (ie. The Lord of hosts - Sabaoth, 1 Samuel 1:3, Isaiah 1:9,
Romans 9:29) This 'person' is what we call a 'Theophany'
(appearance of God in human form) or a 'Christophany' (an
appearance of Christ in the OT prior to His incarnation). Joshua's
response to Him is one of reverence, worship, and obedience.
Imagine the impact of the Lord appearing to Him just before their
first battle in the Promised Land. Note: Where ever the Lord is;
that is holy ground 15. Also, do we realize Who is with us in the
daily battles we face in life ? The Lord of Hosts (see: Romans
8:31.37)
Joshua 6
Jericho is entered because the Lord collapsed the wall that
surrounded the city 1-16. Marching around it once a day for six
days and then seven times on the seventh day may have seemed
foolish from a human standpoint, but it was a test to see if the
people would, by faith, obey the Lord (Hebrews 11:30) They obeyed
and experienced a great victory by the hand of the Lord 17-25.
Joshua pronounces a curse on the one who would rebuild Jericho.
This in fact came to pass and is recorded in 1 Kings 16:34.
Rahab and her family are spared as promised 22-25. She acted in
faith (Hebrews 11:31) and became part of Israel and the lineage of
the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5). Note: God is gracious in
redeeming individuals just as He redeemed the people of Israel.
When anyone believes in Him and takes Him at His word (by faith) He
grants victory and salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ (1
Corinthians 15:56-57).