Dear Family,
Today is Sabbath, May 21, 2022, Day 7 of Week 5. This is the 35th Day in our Count to Pentecost.
In Exodus 17 we begin to read about the man named Joshua. Who was he? Why did God choose him to succeed Moses? The first time we see Joshua mentioned in the Holy Bible, we find him preparing a group of men that he would command to go out and fight with Amalek.
We learn more about Joshua from later scriptural accounts. He served as Moses’ minister or servant (Exodus 33:11, Numbers 11:28), and in Exodus 33:11 Joshua was called one of Moses’ “young men.” Joshua was close by when Moses went up into the mount of God.
Exodus 24:12-13 (12) And the Lord said unto Moses; Come up to Me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. (13) And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.
From the book of Numbers, we learn that Joshua was also called Oshea, and that he was of the tribe of Ephraim. Apparently, Moses altered the young man’s name slightly by adding a syllable about the time when the 12 spies first went into the land from the area of Kadesh Barnea.
Numbers 13:8,16 (8) Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun. (16) These are the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua.
The Bible shows that Joshua appeared to be very protective towards Moses’ authority. And, Joshua was one of the two faithful and true witnesses (spies) regarding the Promised Land. He refused to join the rebels, and tore his clothes at the false reports of the other ten spies.
Numbers 11:27-29 (27) And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said; Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. (28) And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said; My lord Moses, forbid them. (29) And Moses said unto him; Enviest thou for my sake? Would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put His spirit upon them!
Numbers 14:6 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:
In the 40-year wilderness journey, Joshua proved himself over and over to be faithful. This is a vital characteristic God wants in the leaders of His people. So, Moses laid his hand on Joshua as God commanded. The Bible describes Joshua as “a man in whom is the spirit” (Numbers 27:18) and one who “wholly followed the LORD” (Numbers 32:11-13).
God chose Joshua and set him before the people, promising that Joshua would be the one that would cause Israel to inherit the Promised Land.
Deuteronomy 3:28 But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.
And, it was shortly after the death of Moses that God began to speak to Joshua and direct him in the conquest of the land. God promised He would be with Joshua, and charged him to be strong and courageous.
Joshua 1:1(A) 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…
Deuteronomy 31:23 And He gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said; Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.
And, God did exactly what He had promised. He always does. The example of Joshua is one very good witness of God’s faithfulness and power to complete what He starts.
And, now it becomes clearer why God chose Joshua to succeed Moses. God knew that He could develop those leadership qualities that were going to be required to lead Israel into their inheritance. In Joshua, God was able to develop loyalty, faithfulness, courage, a strength of resolve, a servant attitude, a positive outlook, and complete commitment to God.
Because we are God’s leaders, now and in the future, He is working to develop specific characteristics in us as we submit and cooperate with Him. What an awesome God!
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
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