JOSHUA
EX. 33:11; JOSH. 1:8
A. "AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES FACE TO FACE, AS A MAN SPEAKETH
UNTO HIS FRIEND. AND HE TURNED AGAIN INTO THE CAMP; BUT HIS
SERVANT JOSHUA, THE SON OF NUN, A YOUNG MAN DEPARTED NOT OUT OF
THE TABERNACLE" - EX. 33:11
- Men and women are noted for their attitude in a given situation:
- Joshua, the son of Nun, is one of the outstanding heroes of the Bible
- Strength of character mark the brief history of his public life
- There is much in the history of that great leader:
- That is an intriguing as it is informative
- Can be of great inspiration to young men and to God's people in general
B. JOSHUA, THE SON OF NUN, A YOUNG MAN
- Was Moses' right-hand man on many occasions:
- He discomfited the Amlekites in battle - Ex. 17:13
- Was with Moses in the mount when God gave Israel laws and the services of the sanctuary - Ex. 24:13
- Became Moses' successor when the servant of the Lord died - Deut. 1:38; 34:9
- Was a man of faith:
- Said he, in the heat of battle, "Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou moon in the valley of Aijalon" - Josh. 10:14
- "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" - Josh. 24:15
- He and Caleb were specially honored by the Lord:
- They were the only two men that were permitted to enter the promised land - Num. 14:30
- They saw on numerous occasions the mighty arm of God undertaking for Israel against their enemies - compare Ex. 17 with Josh. 10
- Scripture recorded but one serious mistake or error of judgment in the wonderful history of that great warrior of the Lord - by entering into a covenant with the Gibeonites that brought great difficulty to Israel in later years - Josh. 9
C. SPECIAL LESSONS OUT OF THE LIFE OF JOSHUA THAT MIGHTY WARRIOR OF
THE LORD
- "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" - Josh. 24:15
- He was first of all a man of God
- He could speak for his family - expressing their attitude toward the Lord; how many fathers can vouch or speak for their family?
- He was a man wholly dedicated to the principle of right:
- This was demonstrated in his dealing with the sin of Achan - Josh. 7
- Also, in dividing the inheritance to the children of Israel - Josh. 14;15;19
- He was a dedicated soldier, full of faith in the justice of the cause he fought for
- The great secret of his noble life and great triumph in his ministry:
- The Lord God of Israel was his primary strength - compare Josh. 4:14 with chapter 1:8-9; 10:13-14
- His complete dedication to duty even at the risk of his life - compare Num. 14:6-10 with Ex. 33:11
- His great reward:
- He was honored to have one of the books of the Bible named by his name
- He was honored to step into the office of that great leader, legislator, the meekest man on earth
- He was honored to lead the children of Israel across the Jordan into the promised land
- What we should gather out of his life story for our own benefit:
- Be whole-hearted for the Lord - that is one of the great secrets of a use useful life - Josh. 1:8-9; Examples: So long as Solomon made the Lord his wisdom, he was incomparable in wisdom and stature - I Kings 3:9-11; so long as Samson was led by the Holy Spirit, he was irresistible - Judges 14;15;16
- Be loyal to do at all times - when we apply ourselves to duty as Joshua did, we cannot fail