Story of Joshua
Talk Thru the Bible – Old Testament
Story of Joshua
2 Timothy 2:2 – Hear, Entrust, Teach, Multiply!
Moses discipled Joshua. Their disciple-making relationship began when Joshua was 40 years old. Moses was 80. Side-by-side, they worked together for 40 years. It took that long for the Lord to prepare Joshua for the mantle of leadership He had placed on Moses’ shoulders at the burning bush on Mt. Sinai.
Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. – Deuteronomy 31:7-8
After Moses had died on Mt. Nebo, God spoke to Joshua.
Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all the people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. Every place on which the soles of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. From the wilderness of this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the lands of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting sun will be your territory. No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. – Joshua 1:2-7
Bible Memorization for Disciple Multiplication
Take note of the words in both of the passages above. It is clear that Moses heard these words from the Lord and transferred them to Joshua clearly and correctly. After Moses died, God reminded Joshua of what Moses had said. When Scripture repeats itself, it is important. Pay attention!
Can you imagine what it must have been like for Joshua to take over for Moses? The guy who wrote the first five books of the Bible? THE MOSES?
Joshua was indeed courageous. He knew what was necessary for himself and his people. Moses had given Joshua, and all Israel, His Word. Joshua knew that for his people to realize their potential, they needed to know it and speak about it everywhere all the time. Why?
“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. – Joshua 1:8
Just before he died, at God’s direction, Moses wrote a song for the descendants of Israel. The song was not a happy one. Quite the opposite. It prophetically foretold that after Israel entered the Promised Land, the people would be faithless towards the One who had given Himself to them. They would turn from serving the God of heaven to serve the gods of the land they were inhabiting. Take a few minutes to read the Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32:1:43). Joshua understood that his people would largely turn away from the Lord and serve other gods, the demonic rulers of this world. His family would be different.
Leaving a Family Legacy
Joshua’s response? After a lifetime of leading Israel, he declared to everyone, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15b
Can we do anything less?
Talk Thru the Bible – OT Lessons
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Talking Points
Read Deuteronomy 30:1-33:29, Joshua 1:1-2:24
- Moses discipled Joshua for 40 years. This work began when Moses was 80 years old and Joshua was 40. Moses died when he was 120 years old. Joshua led Israel for 40 years, just like Moses. Joshua died when he was 120 years old.
- God inspired Moses to wrote almost all of the five books of Torah, Genesis through Deuteronomy. He could not have written Deuteronomy 34. Someone after his time wrote that. It is not likely that Joshua wrote that chapter.
- Joshua received his commission from the Lord to lead Israel through Moses.
Points To Ponder
The Teach-Test Principle
It has been said: “Knowing what to do must be translated into doing what you know.”
A pattern emerges from the storyline of the Bible.
- Genesis – Humanity’s need for redemption is demonstrated, first in the Garden of Eden and later in God’s chosen platform people, Israel.
- Exodus – God’s redemption is realized and prophesied through the Passover and release of Israel from captivity.
- Leviticus – Israel is taught what loving God and loving others looks like through the Law.
- Numbers – Israel was tested by God’s command to enter the land promised to them. They failed the test.
- Deuteronomy – Israel was retaught through their 40 years of wandering.
- Joshua – Israel was retested!
Make an “I will” Statement.
- Based on your Joshua study, what will you think, say, or do differently starting today?
- Who will you tell your “I will” statement to that will hold you accountable.
