Lessons from the life of Joshua
Joshua was a man who had spent much personal time with God. He was chosen as one of the twelve Hebrew spies who originally searched out the Promised Land before the lengthy delay. He remained faithful, and when it came time for the peoples to move across the Jordan, God selected him as the new leader of the people.
There is much we can learn from Joshua, in terms of what pleases God. We often quote words spoken to him, as rhema words for our own battles. We are to be confident and courageous. We see that he learned from example, in that he too sent spies across the Jordan River before taking the people across.
More importantly we see that Joshua had a personal relationship with God. They knew one another. We remember the affirmative words of Joshua, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:18). But there can be some other lessons we should learn from the story in Joshua chapter 9.
In his parting speeches, God repeatedly had Moses give encouragement and warning about what was to come, that there were seven nations greater than them, but God would deliver them. They were not to make covenants with these peoples. They were to utterly destroy them.
Once across the Jordan, the people were stoked. They saw how God piled up the waters, so they could enter the Promised Land with sturdy footing. Yet Jericho lay straight in their pathway. God had a simple plan, one which we should take note of. God would not let the people speak as they did what He said. How often do we keep our mouths shut when confronted with the walls of death? Perhaps God would act in our behalf if we cooperate with the method.
The walls fell. God prevailed through the silence of mouths and the obedient walking. Next came the small area know as Ai. With the history of God working mightily in there behalf, the army moved on to conquer. Yet there was trouble, they forgot to consult God. After repentance, the battle was theirs.
The people were now camped at Gilgal when they were approached by visitors from a distant land. They came so as not to be any enemy of so great a nation. They repeated their knowledge of the great exploits God had done for them and how the Hebrews had conquered many great kings. We see their merciful response.
“And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them” Joshua 9:15, (ESV).
Or was it more likely that they enjoyed hearing of their exploits. They succumbed to a scheme. And more so they had failed. If you read the just previous verse you will see what I mean.
“So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord” Joshua 9:16, (ESV).
Father God,
Be merciful to us, your people, for we too sin. We often forget the victories we have do not come from us, but solely from you. May our provision come from you. Help us to turn to you as much in times of prosperity and success as we do in those times of great trials. Increase our ways in you. Lead us to spend time with you, in your presence as Joshua did. Allow your name and ways be seem though us and not as us.
May we be found mindful to keep our leaders in prayer, that you may support them. May we not be found grumbling and complaining of them or our circumstances. AMEN.
There is much we can learn from Joshua, in terms of what pleases God. We often quote words spoken to him, as rhema words for our own battles. We are to be confident and courageous. We see that he learned from example, in that he too sent spies across the Jordan River before taking the people across.
More importantly we see that Joshua had a personal relationship with God. They knew one another. We remember the affirmative words of Joshua, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:18). But there can be some other lessons we should learn from the story in Joshua chapter 9.
In his parting speeches, God repeatedly had Moses give encouragement and warning about what was to come, that there were seven nations greater than them, but God would deliver them. They were not to make covenants with these peoples. They were to utterly destroy them.
Once across the Jordan, the people were stoked. They saw how God piled up the waters, so they could enter the Promised Land with sturdy footing. Yet Jericho lay straight in their pathway. God had a simple plan, one which we should take note of. God would not let the people speak as they did what He said. How often do we keep our mouths shut when confronted with the walls of death? Perhaps God would act in our behalf if we cooperate with the method.
The walls fell. God prevailed through the silence of mouths and the obedient walking. Next came the small area know as Ai. With the history of God working mightily in there behalf, the army moved on to conquer. Yet there was trouble, they forgot to consult God. After repentance, the battle was theirs.
The people were now camped at Gilgal when they were approached by visitors from a distant land. They came so as not to be any enemy of so great a nation. They repeated their knowledge of the great exploits God had done for them and how the Hebrews had conquered many great kings. We see their merciful response.
“And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them” Joshua 9:15, (ESV).
Or was it more likely that they enjoyed hearing of their exploits. They succumbed to a scheme. And more so they had failed. If you read the just previous verse you will see what I mean.
“So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord” Joshua 9:16, (ESV).
Father God,
Be merciful to us, your people, for we too sin. We often forget the victories we have do not come from us, but solely from you. May our provision come from you. Help us to turn to you as much in times of prosperity and success as we do in those times of great trials. Increase our ways in you. Lead us to spend time with you, in your presence as Joshua did. Allow your name and ways be seem though us and not as us.
May we be found mindful to keep our leaders in prayer, that you may support them. May we not be found grumbling and complaining of them or our circumstances. AMEN.
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