15. Joshua - The Land of Rest

Joshua, whose name means the same as Jesus, or “The Lord is salvation”, has the privilege of leading the Israelites with Jesus, “commander in chief of God’s army” who is the true leader into the promised land.

Snapshot

  • Introduction
  • Clear Direction
  • Deep Conviction
  • Formidable Wins
  • Negligible Sins?
  • Our True Rest
  • Discussion

Theme Verse

Joshua 1:13 “Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God gives you rest and will give you this land.’

In this journey...

We:

  • Understand our role in entering the current and future land of rest
  • Realize and avoid the subtle dangers that ensnared the Israelites for centuries.

Introduction

  • The name “Joshua” in the Old Testament means the same as “Jesus” in the New Testament – “the Lord is salvation”
  • Jesus leads the people into the promised land into rest. – one temporal (Canaan), the other eternal. One perfect, the other fallible. Heb 3:5-4:13 brings out a comparison:
  • We look ahead to the true rest that God anticipates with his people forever
  • The word of God searches our heart to show whether we are truly believers in Jesus Christ or not (Heb. 4:11-13) [1]

Clear Direction

Joshua gets clear direction from:

  • The Book of the Law
  • The Legacy of God
  • Jesus, the Captain

Joshua 1:8 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.

Clear Direction-The Legacy of God

Joshua made sure to create landmarks to remind children of their legacy.

Joshua 4:21 “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ 22 then you shall inform your children, saying, ‘Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground….  24 that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”

Clear Direction-Jesus, the Captain

If Joshua had to remove his shoes before this commander, it had to be Jesus, leading the Israelites in the conquest.

Joshua 5:13 A man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand…14 He said, “I indeed come now as Captain of the Host of the Lord. .. Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.”

Deep Conviction-Chose God over King

Rahab trusted the God of the Jews and was willing to risk the king’s fury in order to support the Jewish spies.

Joshua 2:3 And the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you,…” 4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, “.. I do not know where the men went.

Deep Conviction-Chose God over King

Rahab’s words demonstrate her faith. Joshua 2:9 “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us,.. 10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea .. and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites.. 11 .. for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.

Deep Conviction-She Sealed Her Choice

Joshua 2:12 Now therefore, please swear to me by the Lord.. give me a pledge of truth, 13 and.. deliver our lives from death.”

Matt 1:5 Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse.

Rahab chose God and sealed her choice. Children of Israel chose God but did not seal their choice.

Rahab made her place in the annals of history whereas the children of Israel lost their face in the annals of history

Formidable Wins

Through:

  • Waters
  • Walls
  • Wars

Formidable Wins-Through Waters

Joshua 3:15 and when… the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water..  16 the waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap

 

Formidable Wins-Through Walls

The walls of Jericho crumbles without as much as a stone thrown on it.

When the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted with a great shout and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up.. and they took the city. – Ch 6:20

 

Formidable Wins-Through Wars

Joshua 11:16 Thus Joshua took all that land:.. And he captured all their kings and struck them down and put them to death.. 19 There was not a city which made peace with the sons of Israel except the Hivites living in Gibeon; they took them all in battle. 20 For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts,

Negligable Sins?

  • Little deviation
  • Subtle deception

Formidable wins with negligible sins lead to formidable sins and negligible wins

Negligable Sins?-Little Deviation

Due to Achan’s disobedience the battle was lost. A single act of unfaithfulness can be disastrous.

Joshua 7:1 But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan…took some of the things under the ban, therefore the anger of the Lord burned against the sons of Israel.

Negligable Sins?-Subtle Deception

Disguised as foreigners, their enemy asks for protection. Joshua, probably overconfident in his wins. fails to consult with God. That is the beginning of downfall.  Joshua 9:14 So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the Lord. 15 Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live; and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.

Discussion

When this potentially HUGE cascading error happens, why does God remain silent? (Joshua 11:20)

God expects more from His leaders. If they fail to consult Him, he may remain silent as they invoke the consequences of their failure not only for them but also for their people.

When one member slips there can be painful recovery When a leader slips, it’s “field day” for the enemy

Our True Rest

Jesus today, is leading us into rest (Heb 4:1-3).

  • Eternal rest
  • Rest in His Kingdom here and now: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. – Matt 11:28.

Just like Joshua and Rahab, we too can be “more than conquerers” – Rom 8:37

Our True Rest

As Jesus led Joshua into the Land of Rest, he is doing the same today. This book is a stark reminder to us to:

  • Meditate on the word of God day and night
  • Reach out to save the lost
  • Trust in God amidst challenges
  • Glorify God through passing the legacy
  • Follow baptism (as Joshua did, circumcision)
  • Follow Holy communion (as Joshua did, passover)
  • Destroy enemy strongholds with all in it
  • Have zero tolerance of sin
  • Do things God’s way for success
  • Consult God in everything

Recap

  • Clear Direction
    • Book of the Law
    • Jesus, the Captain
    • Legacy of God
  • Deep Conviction
    • Rahab Chose God over King
    • Sealed her Choice
  • Formidable Wins
    • Through Waters
    • Through Walls
    • Through Wars
  • Negligible Sins?
    • Little Deviation
    • Subtle Deception
  • Our True Rest

Discussion

  • How can we enjoy true “rest” even in this life?
  • What steps do we need to do to enhance that experience. Share
  • What are the “Trojan Horses”/ aliens invading our lives – silently?
  • What can we do to keep them completely out?

References

  • Dr. Jack Scott

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