March 23: Joshua 1-4

IMarch 23, Joshua 1-4

Here was start a new section in Scripture, called the Historical Books. This section begins with a bang, as Joshua is leading the Israelites into the actual Promised Land. “Joshua recounts part two of God’s grandest work of redemption in the Old Testament period. In part one (The Pentateuch), under the leadership of Moses, the Lord redeemed His people out of bondage in Egypt and formalized His covenantal love for them at Sinai. Now, in part two, under the leadership of Joshua, the Lord as Divine Warrior brings His people into the Land of Promise and gives them “rest.””(ESV Study Bible)

The book of Joshua can be challenging to read, as their is multiple battles and many people die. How can a loving God kick people out of their land and have many of them, including children, be killed? In its basic form, Yahweh is the Personal Creator that owns everything, including land, and can distribute or redistribute the land how He pleases. The main reason that the Canaanites are removed from their land, is because of their lack of morality and abominable practices that are abhorrent to God Almighty…

Joshua 1 starts off with God speaking first. The chapter is broken into to three sections - God talks to Joshua, Joshua talks to the people, the people respond to Joshua… 

God has tasked Joshua to go over the Jordan and lead the Israelite people to the Promised Land, now that Moses is dead. God makes promises to Joshua, a lot like He did to Moses… No man can stand against him, God will not leave him, only he needs to be courageous for what is coming. A strong emphasis on obedience to the Law, not veering right or left from it and it will go well for him. Again - Joshua is not to fear but be courageous because God is with him wherever he goes.

After that, Joshua commanded the officers of the people to get their people ready to pass into the Promised Land. To the Reubenites, Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua reminded them of their promise to Moses to go and fight with their brothers and get them settled, then they could go home to their families. 

They answered Joshua with a resounding Yes! They will do as they promised and also follow him. Interesting, at the end they remind him to be strong and courageous… he must be reminded of this because life is going to get tough!

Joshua 2 is a famous Biblical story of Rahab, the prostitute and her redemption through the Israelites and their God, Yahweh. Joshua sent two spies to go and search out the land, especially Jericho. This shows that Joshua was a good leader, as he was doing good preparation prior to going in to war. They end up finding safety under the roof of Rahab, who was a prostitute. But it is clear here, that they went there to get information and use it is a place to stay, that would have been under the radar and not a typical hotel. We also know that the spies were not there to be immoral and not to pay for sex. Think of it more like a place where people would have asked less questions about two foreign men visiting, because of where they stayed. The King of Jericho heard that the men came (not very good spies!) and the King sent to Rahab telling her to give them up. Her response, “True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. And when the gate was about to be closed at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.” But she had hidden them on the roof of our house. We cannot really do an ethical debate here, because it is written in narrative and is not prescriptive - meaning that Joshua didn't feel the need to explain it further, just stating it as fact. Then Rahab confesses to the spies in secret that she knows that they are from the Lord and everybody in her area is afraid of them because of what God has done for them… She asked them to spare her and her family for protecting them, and the two spies agreed that when they were to invade, they would keep her safe. All she needed to do was tie a red scarlet rope on her window and the Israelites would know to protect her. They left her place and went to the hills like she said to hide, and then they went and reported it all to Joshua.

Joshua 3 is another historic story where the Israelites cross the Jordan river during flood season. Joshua told the people to get consecrated (cleaned before Yahweh) because the next day they will be traveling within 2,000 feet of the Ark of the Covenant! God told Joshua that on that day, God will exalt Joshua in front of all the Israelites, like He did for Moses. Joshua basically tells the people, come and watch God work for you…

The priests were told to go to the bank of the river Jordan and put their feet in the water. When the Ark was with them, they went and touched the water and the water miraculously stopped running. This was the time of the year that the Jordan flooded… this was not a trickling creek, but a massive river. The priests stood firmly on dry ground and all the people passed over the Jordan river! Also - note here that this is the first time that Israel is called a Nation, no longer just a people group. Interesting...

Joshua 4 is when the Nation of Israel passed over the Jordan and they made an altar of twelve stones, representing the twelve tribes, to remind future generations of the power and majesty of Yahweh, their God. The Israelites obeyed Joshua and set up the altar where the feet of the priests touched the water. They ran across the Jordan quickly… In addition, we learn that the Israelites had about 40,000 men ready for war now and also that God truly did exalt Joshua on that day - just like He promised. 

To sum it all up:

• God has tasked Joshua to lead the Israelites. This, as we have learned, is not an easy task. To bring it home… Regardless of what God has tasked you to, He will equip you for the challenge. God will also not leave us or forsake us, just like with Joshua. Like Joshua, we too are to be strong and courageous in defending the name of God Almighty.
• Never doubt who or what God will use to fulfill His purposes to reveal His love and grace. Be it a talking donkey, a child, a prostitute, or a thief on the cross - God will have His way. We read too many stories in Scripture to doubt how God works!
• How much do you trust God? If He’s asked you to do something crazy (like walk into a river during flood season), are you willing to obey Him? What has God called you to do? Maybe it is something that your family or peers or even church friends would think that you were crazy to do? Believe you me… if God has called you to something, you best obey. Or like Jonah, God will go to extreme measures for your obedience. 
• Rehab was a prostitute. She joined the Israelites and married in. She ends up becoming the mother of Boaz, the great-grandmother of David. And Rehab is in Jesus’ very own bloodline. What does this teach us? That our past, never defines us. What defines us is our future with the Lord of all creation. 
• You can always count on the promises of God. God never goes against His Words. What God says will happen, will happen.