Joshua 1: Possessing the Promise

Theological Proposition/Focus:

Homiletical Proposition/Application:

Introduction:

Image: Big Shoes to Fill: Denver Broncos 2016

Have you ever had big shoes to fill? Have you ever thought, how am I ever going to make people happy after that performance?

I am a huge Denver Broncos fan.

In the six seasons since Manning retired, the Broncos have had 11 different starting quarterbacks.

Filling big shoes is hard and often people have little patience.

Okay, Maybe sports is not your thing.

In the Falcon and the Winter Soldier Sam Wilson struggles to balance his new role in filling the Shoes of Steve Rogers (Captain America)

It took a special man to be able to say time and time again,

"I can do this all day"

Today we are going to look at Joshua 1 and we will see that it might seem like Joshua had big shoes to fill. However, that was not really the case because it was not Joshua filling the shoes but rather God continuing to work.

Setting the Stage:

The name of the book Joshua comes from the leading figure, Joshua. The name Joshua means

Yahweh Saves or Yahweh is Salvation

This is a fitting name given that the theme of the book is going to be how God saves his people by conquering the land he had promised.

The book serves as the

official historical record of God giving the land to the people

This was in fulfillment of the

unconditional covenant of Gen. 13, 15, 17

The book follows Deuteronomy and provides a bridge between Israel's Exodus from Egypt, wandering in the wilderness, and the kingdom era.

Body

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.

Posessing the promise begins with depending on the promiser (v. 1-4).

God's work is much bigger than any one individual (v. 1-2).

The phrase

Moses the Servant of the Lord is used 16 times in the book of Joshua.

It was not that Moses was any special superhuman, no what made Moses great was that he was a servant of the Lord.

It is important that we understand that we serve God and not any individual. God chooses to use individuals but his work is much bigger than any single individual. From early on in his ministry, God had already been preparing the person who would replace Moses. We read in

Ex. 24:13; 33:11; Num. 11:28 that Joshua had served alongside Moses

and in

Num. 27:15–23; Deut. 3:21–22; 31:1–8 Joshua had been appointed as the successor to Moses.

Now Moses is dead but God's work was alive and well.

God's promises are big and dependable (v. 3-4)

Remember that the promises being fulfilled in the book of Joshua was made centuries earlier. Now God is beginning to fulfill some of those promises. God said he would give these lands. It had not yet happened. In a sense, it was as if God gave a deed but had not necessarily given the land just yet.

God promised to give every place where Joshua stepped

Something significant to consider here. Remember,

Joshua had been a spy 40 years earlier.

Joshua knew the land and he also knew how hard conquering the land was going to be. Joshua was not being called to an easy task. Joshua was stepping into a monumental task with his eyes wide open. Joshua needed to remembers that God's promises are big and dependable. In fact,

God promised extensive territory

In fact, the actual territory possessed by Israel was much less (hence I believe there is a time coming when Israel will receive much more). The point is that God's plan do not require they be completed in a single individual.

Don't lose sight of the importance that God was giving the land.

In fact, the word "give" נתן is used twice here. (2010 times in the OT)

The word is actually in the top 15 frequently used words in the OT. We serve a God who is giving!

Image: Different Presidential Administrations constantly change emphasis

In our country, we go through different presidential administrations and as we do so the emphasis or focus changes. One administration will role back what a previous administration implemented. Politicians anxiously watch ballots wondering if they can get their administration into power so that they can have their agenda. This is not how things work in God's administration. You see a leader is always sitting underneath the supreme leader. No leader get's their own administration in God's administration rather each leader is just a tool used in God's larger plan. When a leader is following God's will one cannot help but see that God's administration is marked by stability.

MTR: This week set aside a time to reflect on God and his program.

The muddy swirling waters of life

5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Posessing the promise requires strength of character (v. 5-9).

God calls his servants to be strong and courageous (v. 5-6).

God calls on his servants to be strong but also he more than anyone knows that he is the source of strength.

Joshua would have known the Canaanites were mighty as in Num. 13:28-29

However, God promises that he will be with him. In

2 Cor. 12:9

after facing a "thorn in the flesh" and asking God for relief Christ tells Paul that his strength is made perfect in weakness. The command to be strong is a command to turn to God. To trust in him. God calls his servants to be strong and courageous but the courage that God calls for is not an arrogant pride but a humble dependence.

God calls his servants to be faithful to his Word (v. 7-8).

Notice the threefold way in which Joshua was to be faithful to the Word.

meditating on it

Remember that we need ot be careful about applying specific proimises for specific people in specific times.

For Joshua faithfulness to the word resulted in success and prosperity

I cannot promise you that. What I can tell you is that God intends for you to live life in his Word and living life as God intends will result in joy.

God calls his servants to to place their confidence in him (v. 9).

Notice that God told Joshua

do not be discouraged.

There was no doubt that the task at hand was going to be challenging.

Image: Rock Climbing with a Rope

Have you ever watched the movie Free Solo? It is a documentary about a man who climbs El Capitan without any safety gear. It is absolute insanity. My wife and I have done some rock climbing in gyms but when we visited China we had the opportunity to do some real climbing in the mountains. It is absolutely terrifying to climb up 60 feet of a vertical wall of rock looking down and seeing all the rocks that you can smash against. there are no soft mats to land on but at the same time, there really isn't any more danger. You see the rope is set and your partner is running the belay. As long as you are in line with the rope and the tension is right you are actually really safe. Yes you might slip but that rope will catch you. You might miss a foot hold, that's okay. If your arms get tired you just stop and sit in the harness.

Joshua had a monumental task and God's response was just have strength of character and oh yeah, not even your own character rather use mine.

MTR: Spend some dedicated time in with God this week.

One way is to spend some dedicated time in Scripture. What does it look like to be dedicated to Scripture? Well remember the three fold way in which Joshua was called to be faithful to the Word. Joshua was called to obedience, talking about the word, and meditating on the word.

10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.’ ” 12 But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, 13 “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you after he said, ‘The LORD your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’ 14 Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. You are to help them 15 until the LORD gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the LORD your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.”

Posessing the promise is not an individual effort (v. 10-15).

God made people to join together with him in his work (v. 10-11)

Something that stands out to me here is that God was going to fight for Israel, we see this on multiple occasions in Joshua, but still, the people had tasks to complete.

The people were told to get ready, to gather provisions.

The task of getting provisions may have seemed trivial.

The people were to prepare.

The task of crossing the Jordan may have seemed insurmountable. It is interesting to me what God asks and does not ask of us. Sometimes I think God just wants us to obey!

Image: Asking a child to help

Have you ever asked a child to help you, not because you need their help but because you want them to have some ownership or learn something? For example, maybe you are working on the car and you ask your child or nephew to find you the 13mm wrench. In fact, you could probably find it faster but by asking them you include them. I feel like this is how God operates many times.

We have a responsibility to each other (v. 12-15).

Recall what had happened.

the Tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh

had already received their inheritance. However, under the deal they made with Moses, these tribes were still expected to be part of the conquest of the land.

Joshua reminded these tribes of their commitment and they agreed.

MTR: Make sure to set aside time and space to allow you to join with God in his work.

What does your schedule look like? Is it full? For many of you the answer is yes. We have a life that is full. However, God invites us to join together in his work. If we are to do that we have to create space to do it. Especially, since it is not an individual effort we must create this type of space.

16 Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses. 18 Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”

Posessing the promise is an act of obedience (v. 16-18).

Obedience involves taking action (v. 16).

I want you to notice the universal language that is used

Whenever

The Israelites responded by pledging their complete obedience.

Obedience involves discernment (v. 17).

I want you to notice the conditional used

Only may the Lord your God be with you

The Israelite's obedience was really to God and not just a man.

Obedience requires strength and courage (v. 18).

This is the fourth time the command to be strong and courageous has appeared in the chapter.

However, we must remember that it is God's strength and courage that we ultimately depend on.

Conclusion:

In his commentary on Joshua Hubbard discusses four types of churches.

The Museum church

Many of these are found across Europe. Nobody goes to these churches but they sure are fun to look at. These artifacts of the past serve as little more than reminders of a bygone era.

The Maintenance Church

Almost empty but not quite, the Maintenance church has its mission as simply surviving. These churches focus a lot of energy to ensure they can still do what they did in the past exactly as they did it in the past. After all, they were comfortable in the past. Unfortunately, in many cases the

The Ministry Church

The ministry church is doing a little better. This church pursues ministry and genuine Christ-likeness. The church offers a calendar of events meant to minister to its members. Sunday worship, Bible Study, youth group, and potlucks all aim to strengthen relationships within the church. However, this church still lacks one thing

The Mission Church

The mission church takes seriously the command of Jesus to "Go." Yes, there are a great many programs for people within the church but there are also teams of soldiers marching west of the Jordan, entering the land and driving back the forces of Evil. This church takes seriously the adage