Text: Deuteronomy 34:9
Recently we studied Moses who led Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness for forty years. Moses was succeeded by Joshua who would lead the Israelites into the promised land. Under his leadership, they would conquer and take possession of the land. In this lesson, we will highlight a few lessons from the life of Joshua and make some applications for us today.
A Faithful Informant (Numbers 14:6-8)
- Joshua was one of the twelve spies sent to spy out the land of Canaan (Numbers 13:1-2, 8, 16-20) – ten brought back a negative report (Numbers 13:27-33); the people believed them and wanted to appoint a leader to return to Egypt (Numbers 14:1-4); Joshua and Caleb encouraged the people to trust in God and take the land (Numbers 14:6-9)
- Joshua had to go against the majority – this is difficult to do
- This also put his life in danger – the congregation wanted to stone them to death (Numbers 14:10)
A Loyal Successor (Joshua 1:1-2, 7-8)
- Moses was a great leader and faithful servant of God (Deuteronomy 34:10) – Joshua had “big shoes to fill”; in reality, there was only one who could truly measure up to Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:20-22); not Joshua, but Jesus (who also surpassed Moses)
- But Joshua was going to take over (Joshua 1:2) – he would lead the people to the promised land
- How was he to do this? – he would need to DO what Moses commanded (Joshua 1:7), SPEAK what was in the law (Joshua 1:8), and MEDITATE on the law day and night (Joshua 1:8)
A Decisive Servant (Joshua 24:14-15)
- In Joshua’s farewell address to the people, he called upon them to make a choice (Joshua 24:15) – they could serve the Lord or serve the “gods” of the nations around them; if they chose to serve the Lord, they would need to do so “in sincerity and truth” (Joshua 24:14)
- Regardless of what they decided, Joshua had already made up his mind (Joshua 24:15) – in fact, he expected them to forsake the Lord (Joshua 24:16-22); yet he was determined to be faithful, even in the minority [first point], and he was (Joshua 24:29)
Follow Joshua’s Example
- Encourage others to faithfully follow the Lord – this could include our brethren (Hebrews 3:12-13) or those in the world (Philippians 2:15-16); it will not always be popular to do this (John 15:18-19; 16:2)
- Follow in the footsteps of the one who came before us – for Joshua, this was Moses; for us, this is Jesus (1 Peter 2:21-22); live in such a way that others see Christ living in us (Galatians 2:20)
- Choose to follow the Lord, even when it is not popular – Jesus is the way (John 14:6); the way is narrow and few will find it (Matthew 7:13-14); we are not to be conformed to the world, but transformed (Romans 12:2)
Conclusion
- Who was Joshua? – a faithful informant, loyal successor, decisive servant; he was going to do what was right, even if it was unpopular or difficult
- We need to be committed to always do what is right, no matter what the consequences are – and as we do this, we must also encourage others to do what is right as well
