Joshua’s book doesn’t get the attention it deserves. For many, familiarity with the book comes from some verses on some refrigerator doors. Who doesn’t have at least one item decorated?Or “Will we serve my house and I will serve the Lord?” The main point of this article is not to ridicule the superficiality of Christian-themed products, but to point out that Joshua’s book has much more to offer the church than pebbles engraved with “Courage” or plush engravings with “me and my house”.
Joshua starts from where something else ended; begins with Moses’ death. Moses’ death begins the transition of Israel’s leadership, and Joshua becomes the new watchman of God’s people. But Joshua’s book tells more than a story about leadership transitions and the value needed for this task. the story of God’s faithfulness and the proper response of his people to this faithfulness. Significant sermons and studies that present these invaluable truths will serve the church well.
- God’s fidelity to Israel begins with the five books of Moses.
- The promise made to Abraham in Genesis 12 is finally fulfilled in Joshua.
- What task did Joshua do to bring God’s people through the Promised Land?This is exactly what God has ordained and is faithful to have achieved.
We have the first flash of God’s faithfulness in this book when the Lord commands Joshua. God encourages you by saying, “Get ready now, pass this Jordan” and “As I was with Moses, I will be with you. “God must have some God-given authority.
Joshua’s commissioner is successful because of God’s faithfulness. Similarly, the commission of each church with a biblical spirit is successful thanks to God’s faithfulness. As you preach through Joshua, you will have the opportunity after the opportunity to invite every true believer to trust in God’s character and, therefore, After all, every Christian has been entrusted, in his various spheres of authority, to live his life in a way that leads to people, according to the power and purpose of God , to a country that has promised to be revealed on the last day.
Like Joshua, most Christians need trust and courage. Is there any reason why the Lord says to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous, for you will make this people inherit the land I promised to give their fathers under oath?”true for Joshua is certainly true for every disciple of Christ: we are ordained to do what we have been commanded to do. The Lord said to Joshua, “As I was with Moses, I will be with you; Won’t I leave you or leave you?This same promise is made to every believer. Remember the words of Jesus at the end of the Great Commission: “And behold, I am with you every day until the end of the century. “
Your own word is essential to God’s mission and command. Because God is true to his word, those who follow him must also be true to all that he has commanded.
What does this mean for the congregation that reads the book of Joshua?What does this mean for Christ’s disciples?
God’s faithfulness has a specific purpose in the lives of His people. You must call us to remember.
There seems to be nothing more effective for a believer’s faith than remembering what God did. The first sign of remembrance we see in Joshua comes after the Israelites crossed the Jordan, and Joshua orders rulers to raise twelve stones as a sign of God’s covenant with This sign was not intended to be a mere reminder of the present, but something that would last and be meaningful to generations to come; it was a memorial to be seen by the children of those who had witnessed God’s faithfulness firsthand.
Also consider the large pile of stones placed on Aaon and his family. God wanted this sign to discourage rebellion and sin. Can you take what belonged only to God?and, as a result, paid the punishment for his selfish action. A congregation will be well served when it is reminded that God is faithful to everything it commands. What memorial stones can we erect in front of our congregations to clarify this fact?
Why does the author spend eight chapters? Joshua 13, 20, land division Who will want to read this?
But what we see in this meticulous distribution is unity, we see it in the eastern tribes, because they help protect the land of their brethren before they even find comfort for themselves. We see it in the way each tribe received its land, that’s why. We see unity in the promise fulfilled to the Levites when they inherit the cities of refuge?exactly as God promised. All this is presented so that the reader can see the unity of God’s people.
Much more could be said about Joshua’s ledger, but any congregation would benefit greatly from a series of sermons preached for at least the three reasons mentioned above.
Here are two comments that will be of great help in your study of Joshua. The first is Joshua: No Falling Words, written by Dale Ralph Davis. Davis does an excellent job of describing the main points of each chapter of Joshua. Your comment is clear, appropriate and succinct.
If you’re looking for a deeper job, David M’s work. Howard from the New American Commentary Series is a good place to start.
Goldsworthy examines the Bible, biblical theology, and preaching and shows how these three disciplines relate to the preparation of Christ-centered sermons, then applies the biblical theological method to the different types of literature found in the Bible, drawing their contribution to explanatory preaching. and focusing on the person and work of Christ.