Good morning,
This week I would like to look at Joshua, the successor, to Moses. We will be looking at Joshua Chapter 1. Today we will look at Joshua’s call by Moses and his commissioning by God.
And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses. (Deuteronomy 34:9)
God chooses Joshua to be the next leader of Israel. “And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. 8 And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:7-8)
God’s Commission (V1-4)
Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, 2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
Here God gives Joshua his marching orders. Why Joshua? Forty years prior, Moses was ready to take the children of Israel into the Promised Land. He sent 12 spies to spy out the land. Ten came back with a negative report and refused to go into the Promised Land. Only Caleb and Joshua, by faith, trusted God’s promise and came back with a positive report. Joshua became the minister to Moses and his military leader. None of the unbelievers that day would enter the Promised Land. Joshua is chosen to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. So when God called Joshua was ready. He was obedient to the call of God.
One thing we can take away from this is to be the leader you must learn to be the servant. Joshua served the leader Moses. As he served he learned. Then his day came.
Tomorrow we will look at God’s command to Joshua.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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