Possessing the Land: Spiritual Lessons from Joshua

By Hayes Press

As this book demonstrates, the Old Testament book of Joshua is full of exciting stories, but also some very important lessons for Christians today.

CHAPTER ONE: PREPARATION OF A CHOSEN LEADER 

CHAPTER TWO: ENCOURAGEMENT FOR A NEW ERA

CHAPTER THREE: RAHAB’S FAITH AND DIVINE MERCY

CHAPTER FOUR: THE CROSSING OF THE JORDAN

CHAPTER FIVE: A SANCTIFIED PEOPLE

CHAPTER SIX: PRINCIPLES OF VICTORY AND DEFEAT

CHAPTER SEVEN: THE PRAYER OF JOSHUA

CHAPTER EIGHT: RENEWED VICTORY AND COMMITMENT

CHAPTER NINE: SATAN’S WILES AND JEHOVAH’S TRIUMPH

CHAPTER TEN: POSSESSION AND DIVISION OF THE INHERITANCE

CHAPTER ELEVEN: CITIES OF REFUGE AND THE LEVI’S PORTION

CHAPTER TWELVE: PRESERVATION OF DIVINE UNITY

CHAPTER THIRTEEN:  A RICH UNCLOUDED SUNSET

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hayes Press
• Release date: Nov 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9781540188182

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE:  PREPARATION OF A CHOSEN LEADER

CONFLICT

The Lord’s preparation of Joshua for the heavy task of taking over from Moses the leadership of God’s people covered a period of at least forty years. This may seem to us to be a long time but there were many things that Joshua had to learn. It is true that some men seem to have been moved precipitously into work for God but the sacred record shows also that for some outstanding servants of God there has been an important time of prolonged preparation. We think of Moses himself, of David, of John the Baptist. Perhaps the waiting time itself has tested and strengthened subjection and patience.

Our introduction to Joshua presents him to us as a soldier chosen and sent to engage in conflict with a foe that was both powerful and cowardly. Amalek struck where he knew there was the least ability to resist and to repel. He exploited feebleness, faintness and weariness to deliver his attack. But the hand of the Lord was with Joshua and he discomfited (Hebrew prostrated R.V. margin) Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword" (Exodus 17:13). Thus Joshua learned that in the way before him there would be opposition; but he learned also that through the Lord there would be victory.

This early encounter in Joshua’s preparation may remind us that from the very commencement of our spiritual experience we are faced with warfare. This is spiritual warfare. We may view it first as a personal matter. Prom the moment the Spirit of God indwelt us in the experience of regeneration we had to face conflict because of attacks by the hostile power of the old corrupt nature, the flesh. This is a bitter conflict in which there will be no cessation until either we go home to be with Christ or Christ comes to the air to call into His presence the Church, the Body. Till such deliverance the flesh in us lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. By the Spirit we may mortify the doings of the body.

There is also the spiritual warfare that is involved for disciples of the Lord who are stirred to contend earnestly for the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. Timothy was exhorted to fight the good fight of the Faith. In this fight we still have the foe within us to contend with and we have also formidable enemies who are described as the principalities and the powers, the world-rulers of this darkness, the spiritual hosts of wickedness. What an array of powerful hostile forces! But God is for us. Who can stand against Him? By His power we can know victory.

Stand bravely for your Master,

Stand in His strength alone;

The arm of flesh will fail you,

Ye dare not trust your own.

COOPERATION

The next glimpse we get of Joshua reveals him in the relationship of a servant. The Lord had commanded Moses to come up to the mount to receive the tables of stone on which were written by God His law and His commandment. We read, Moses rose up, and Joshua his minister (Exodus 24:13). At first sight it might appear that this meant demotion for Joshua. Had he not led the army to fight victoriously against the enemy of God’s people? Had he not proved that he was a courageous and skilful general? Why then should he become Moses’ servant? Did he not deserve a greater reward? We accept without question that it was indeed a high honour to be chosen to minister to Moses. But perhaps we may also deduce that the preparation of Joshua for future responsibilities demanded that he should learn important lessons in the realm of subjection and cooperation. These he learned as with true meekness he ministered to Moses.

The lesson is important for us. If we are to engage acceptably in service for God we must realize that subjection to others and cooperation must characterize us. In the revelation of God we see many relationships in which subjection is to be manifested. The natural mind resists demands requiring subjection, but the general exhortation comes to us, Subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ (Ephesians 5:21). Where there is subjection there will be cooperation and the fulfilment of Paul’s exhortation, Through love be servants one to another (Galatians 5:13). If leaders do not learn and practise spiritual subjection and cooperation they need not expect those whom they lead to do so.

COMMUNION

Before the Tabernacle was constructed and erected Moses used to pitch a tent well outside the boundaries of the encampment. This, of course, was not the Tabernacle which later was erected but Moses called this tent, The Tent of Meeting. There Moses met the Lord and there the people could meet Moses the representative of the Lord. Concerning the activities of this Tent we have the amazing statement, The LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend (Exodus 33:11). It must have proved an impressive experience for Joshua to be in that Tent and to hear the Lord and Moses converse. He would have realized with deepening conviction that the God of Israel was the living God. In the quiet of the isolated Tent Joshua must have felt something of the holiness of God’s character and at the same time he would realize that this holy God condescended to speak to men. It must also have been awe-inspiring, instructive and encouraging for the younger man to hear Moses speaking to God. The preparation of Joshua for leadership included impressing upon him the necessity for communion with God. He must hear God’s voice. God must hear his voice.

In the teaching which the Lord Jesus gave to His disciples prominence is given to the necessity for communion, and in the epistles there is strong emphasis on the importance of this experience. There may be much activity in service but if communion with God is lacking there will be a slump into formality. In a message given in a day of serious declension the Lord said to the church in Laodicea Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me (Revelation 3:20).

CONFIDENCE

When the children of Israel reached the wilderness of Paran the Lord commanded Moses to dispatch twelve princes of the people to carry out a reconnaissance of the land of Canaan. Joshua was the leader chosen to represent the tribe of Ephraim. When the twelve men returned to give their report there was unanimous acknowledgment that the land was indeed attractive. It was fertile and fruitful. But ten of the princes claimed that the children of Israel would be utterly