
We know that many of the experiences of the people of God in the Old Testament have been recorded in detail. As the apostle Paul explains, ‘all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition (instruction)’ (I Cor 10:11). So, it has been a privilege recently to study the life of Joshua from the first 11 chapters. The last verse of chapter 11 gives us a summary: ‘So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel …and the land rested from war.’, (Joshua 11:23).
Looking at chapter 1 we can understand what made Joshua an effective leader. He had a great example in Moses who had taught him the ways of the Lord and given clear instructions; he was in the place where he should be; he was equipped by the Lord for the work. The Lord confirmed that Joshua needed to obey the words of Moses is as far as they were the words from the Lord: ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth’ (Joshua 1:8).
Then in verse 9 note the encouragement from the Lord ‘be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed’. Joshua was reminded of the promise: ‘The Lord your God have given you rest, and hath given you this land’ (Joshua 1:11) The God of eternity sees things as accomplished, the battles are already won. For Joshua, it might have felt that these things were taking a long time. How lovely that in chapter 11 when Joshua is facing a satanic confederacy of nations, a seemingly impossible battle with enemy forces ‘even as the sand that is upon the seashore in multitude’ (verse 4) that the Lord encourages him again: ‘Be not afraid because of them, for tomorrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain’.
So, for us today, we are often fearful, often full of doubt about what we face. Be encouraged, the battle is the Lord’s. We fight on to possess our possessions; that means, to live in the good of His rest, to enjoy the Saviour, our Joshua and not lose out because of disobedience or fear.
Paul Bannister
My Saviour, Thou hast offered rest: oh, give it then, to me:
The rest of ceasing from myself, to find my all in Thee
O Lord, I seek a holy rest, a vict’ry over sin!
I seek that Thou alone should’st reign o’er all without, within.
In Thy strong hand I lay me down, so shall the work be done,
For who can work so wondrously as the Almighty One?
Work on then Lord, till on my soul eternal light shall break,
And in Thy likeness perfected, I satisfied shall wake.
Eliza Hamilton