Joshua, Soldier of the Lord

"Joshua, Soldier of the Lord" - Joshua 1:8-9 God asks Joshua to live according to God's law and make it his standard (rules must be followed). (Joshua 1:8) It is as if God placed in the hands of Joshua (1:9) the book of the law; and charges him: (a) that day and night meditate on it; (b) He was not to lose his turning away from his mouth, and telling the people the relation to the law of God; (c) He was always to do so in accordance with the whole law. Although he was a man of great power and authority, he had to submit to what was commanded.

I. Successor of Moses (Exodus 17:9)

A. (Exodus17:13) Joshua undid Amalek and his people.

1. The defeat of Amalek.

2. Victory had been in the air for some time between the two camps, but Israel kept fighting until Joshua undid Amalek.

3. Although Joshua struggled with great disadvantages, with undisciplined soldiers, bad armor, forty years broken, long years in slavery and always ready to murmur, nothing of them to gain.

4. God, however, worked through them a great salvation.

5. Let's be friends and get to know him.

6. His early years and his preparation for leadership.

7. He was the son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim. (Numbers 13:8, 16)

8. (Exodus17:9) He was first mentioned in the battle against the Amalekites, where he led Israel's forces.

9. Joshua (Exodus24:12-13; 33:11) servant of Moses.

10. He became Moses' helper and accompanied him part of the way to Mount Sinai when the Decalogue (the Ten Commandments) was spoken.

11. (Exodus 33:11) He was the helper in the tabernacle.

12. The young Joshua son of Nun, "his servant," "never" departed from the middle of the tabernacle.

13. (Numbers 13:8, 16) His name is changed, he is sent as one of the spies sent from Kadesh to reconnoiter the land of Canaan.

14. (Numbers 14:6-30) He gave an encouraging report on the land, along with Caleb, resulting in the promise to these two to enter the Promised Land, while all the other adults of his generation died in the wilderness.

15. His career as Israel's leader.

16. He was appointed by God and ordained as Moses' successor (Numbers 27:18-23); Great man in whom there is spirit (he is not carnal) and you will put your hand on him.

17. Moses (Deuteronomy 31:1-8) gave him a solemn charge before "all Israel": And the Lord goes before you; He will be with you, he will not leave you, nor forsake you"; do not be afraid or intimidated.

18. After Moses' death, he was appointed by God as a leader, encouraged in his task, and instructed about the conditions for success (Joshua 1:1-9).

19. He immediately began (Joshua 1:10-11) his race of conquest, a state of fear.

20. At the beginning of his campaign three supernatural events occurred, which indicated that the Lord was with him.

21. (Joshua 3:14-17) The Jordan River splits when it was about to overflow to make way for the Israelites.

22. The angel of Jehovah appears to him (Joshua 5:13-15).

23. (Joshua 6:12-21) As soon as the divine plan is carried out, at the moment when the people give the signal, "the walls of the city fall”, allowing a complete victory.

24. (Joshua 7) Joshua finds only one stumble, defeat at Ai, which taught him the need for "absolute obedience to God."

25. (Joshua 11:23; 12:24) Henceforth Joshua remained steadfast until he defeated thirtyone kings, and most of the land was subdued.

26. Then He divided the land among the tribes (Joshua 23:4)

27. His last days.

28. (Joshua 24:23) Before his death, he addressed a farewell word to Israel, advising the people to have allegiance to God and to remain a separate nation.

29. (Joshua 24:29-31) He died, leaving a powerful influence in Israel.

30. Joshua's conquests over Israel's enemies can be seen as a type of the battle a Christian has with the three basic forces of evil: the world, the flesh, and the devil. (Ephesians 6:12)

31. Joshua's victory was won by faith; just like that of the Christian. (1 John 5:4)

32. The fruits of the conquest were soon lost by Joshua's successors, who surrendered dishonorably to their old enemies (Judges 3:1-8). The same thing happens very often in the Christian life.

33. (Hebrews 4:11) Rest only comes to those who "keep" what they have earned. Amen.