The BOOK – Mobilizing Army

When you start reading the book of Joshua, we see Israel right on the border of the land of promise, near the banks of the Jordan. Joshua is the leader of the Children of Israel now and we hear God saying, “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River” – Joshua 1:2. Joshua stands with bowed head and a lonely heart, for his wise counsellor and friend has gone. 

Moses had to die before the children of Israel could go into Canaan. Israel had to wait until Moses was out of the way. To the Christians, we need to understand the theology behind this scene. Moses represents the Law. Joshua represents Christ. Christ alone can lead us into the inheritance that is ours. 

“Not by works, so that no one can boast” – Ephesians 2:9

Christ wants to lead us into what he has purchased on the cross for us. Overall it takes Moses and Joshua together to present to us typically the finished work of Christ.

God called Joshua to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land and gave him confidence. “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you not forsake you” Joshua 1:5. Joshua sent men through the camp to tell them that in three days they would cross the Jordan, and be prepared for the journey (Joshua 1:10-11)

There are some promises God gave to Joshua which we can see in Joshua 1.

·         Joshua 1:3 – Every place that the sole of your foot I shall tread upon, that I have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

·         Joshua 1:4 – 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 towards the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.

·         Joshua 1:2 – 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.

·         Joshua 1:8 – This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

·         Joshua 1:11 – Prepare you victuals; for within three days, ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it. 

Joshua’s Bible was the book of Law. Our Bible is far more complete and we know more about God’s will because Christ has interpreted it for us. Some answers you will get in Joshua 1:7. Do we meditate upon the word? Do we turn from it to the right or to the left? “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee; turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whitherso-ever thou goest”

We can see the story of Rahab, a prostitute who stood with the children of Israel and hided the two scouts who went to bring the report of the land. When Israel went to capture the capture Jericho, Rahab hung a scarlet cord out of her window so that her house might be marked and spared. This woman is being mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus.

Sons of Ham, who is the Son of Noah, were the descendants of Canaan. Since they were wicked and idolatrous people, God warned them in destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. But they did not change and now God is going to destroy their power and give their land to the Israelites. 

As Christians, people won’t know the importance of relationship between Christ and his followers. They indulge in cheating, taking bribes, adultery, fornication, drinking and flirting as they think they should imitate the world. But always be careful. God called us to be his children, when Israelites were against him. Israelites thought they are his chosen ones and they can do anything, and finally God gave then punishment. Now days, this is the same attitude we see in Christians. They believe through grace Christ made them their children and so they can do anything. Be careful, because God can leave you and call the unsaved, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhist people and reveal himself to them and take them along with him to eternity.

I pray that as mentioned in Joshua 1:7, you live with the word of God and stay holy as he is holy, Amen.