The next group of scripture show where Joshua is mentioned before he becomes the leader of Israel. Ponder this: why was Joshua chosen by God to be the next leader of Israel, and how did God prepare Joshua for the responsibility?
Ex 17:8-13 We first meet Joshua when he is chosen to be the military leader to fight the Amalekites. (The Amalekites were Semites who knew who God was, and chose to fight his people as a rebellion against God).
Here are three points Joshua learns:
1. Joshua learns that God will not tolerate the rebellion of men
2. that power is from God (not because of anything man can do; Joshua wins the battle while Moses’ arms are lifted, and loses when they fall)
3. the importance of remembering God’s teaching (“write this down and make sure Joshua hears it”, Josh 1:8).
Ex 24:1-18 We see that Joshua is Moses’ right-hand man. Joshua accompanies Moses and the elders to Mt. Sinai to meet with God. Moses is on his way to get the Ten Commandments.
Joshua Learns:
1. the reality of God
Joshua learns:
1. the terribleness of sin
2. that just using the name of God means nothing [Matt 25:10-12]
3. there is a place for Godly anger (Moses’ reaction to the activities of the people).
Ex 33:7-11 Moses and Joshua spent their time at the Tent of Meeting outside the camp. God comes and talks with them directly at the Tent. When Moses goes back to the camp, Joshua stays at the Tent.
1. He sees the reality of God’s glory
2. observes that God can and will guide; he is interested in the daily concerns of the people.
Num 11:24-29 The Spirit of God rests on the elders of Israel who are talking to Moses at the Tent of Meeting (while Joshua observes). The elders begin to prophesy. So, too, do the elders Eldad and Medad, even though they are not in the group at the Tent of Meeting. Joshua tells Moses to restrain them, but Moses rebukes Joshua for trying to restrain God.
1. Man should not confuse himself with God
2. nor should he try to bind God with man-made rules.
Num 13-14:38 Joshua is to represent his tribe (Ephraim) in the group of men chosen to spy out the land. Joshua is willing to stand against the majority, that is, to stand with God. The other ten spies see “the giants in the land,” but Joshua and Caleb see that God is bigger than any giants. (Cf. 1 Sam 17:20-37 on the viewpoint of the army versus David’s view of Goliath.)
1. The majority is not always right
2. rebellion against God is a terrible thing, with disastrous consequences
3. God keeps his promises (from their peer group, only Joshua and Caleb will see the Promised Land).
Num 26:65, 27:18-23, Deut 31:1-8,14,23 Joshua is ordained to be the next leader of Israel.
1. Leadership is from God, not from men
2. even though you are in front of the people, God is in front of you, so don’t be afraid
3. Moses will die, no man is indispensible, but evey man is unique ( Deut 34:10, no one else like Moses).
Deut 34:9 “Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom…and the sons of Israel listened to him…” Putting an individual through a leadership training program does not guarantee that he will have leadership abilities. Joshua had to choose to be the leader God wanted him to be. Josh 24:15 “choose whom you will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Why did God choose Joshua? Was it because of his military expertise? Not primarily. Rather, Joshua demonstrated obedience, faith, and teachableness. He used several life experiences to teach Joshua about his relationship to God and to God’s people.
What can you learn about God from Joshua’s experiences, and how should it influence your daily life? What is God doing for you to teach you?
