Focal Passage: Joshua 1:1-9; 16-18
We often think that the stability of God’s work and Word rests on certain people in the Church. As a pastor, I have often said, “If brother so and so goes on to glory or leaves the Church what will we do?” To a degree, the work of the Lord does depend on good and godly people. Thank God for faithful believers.
But when Joshua took the reins of leadership after the death of Moses, God had to repeat to Joshua this massive true: “Moses my servant is dead?” Why did God remind him of what he already knew, even though Joshua had been, if you will, a pall-bearer at Moses’ funeral (Deuteronomy 34)?
Moses’ death was nearly ‘unbelievable,’ considering the fact that he had led God’s people for forty years, handed down the commandments of God from Mt. Sinai, and was used of God to liberate a nation from Egyptian bondage. How could anyone or anything replace Moses? On what or in whom did God’s continuing work depend?
Answer: God wanted to remind Joshua that His work among His people depended on God and His Word, and not on any one person. After having reminded Joshua of God’s “Promised Land promises” of settlement and dominion (vv. 2-4), He reminded Joshua that He would be with him just as He was with Moses (vv. 5, 17). Three truths stand out at the commissioning of Joshua: God’s Work, God’s Word, God’s Way.
God’s Work, vv. 1-4
What is God’s work? God’s work is to liberate people from bondage and settle them into a life of living out God’s promises. Just as God liberated the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, delivered and provided for them in their desert wanderings, He would be with them as they settled into a land with definitive boundaries and spiritual purpose. He would bless them as they moved from being a nomadic people to a settled people with a prophetic purpose. God continues His delivering, saving work through the gospel of Jesus Christ that settles repentant sinners into a life of joy and purpose (Colossians 1:13).
God’s Word, vv. 7-8
And what was at the center of God’s work? Yes, liberation and settlement in the Promised Land. But more importantly, the work of God is accomplished through the Word of God. When we speak it, live it, and obey it God works in ways He alone can work. God’s Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11).
This is why God reminded Joshua: (1) to do all that the Law taught, (2) to not swerve from the Law to the right or the left, (3) that the Word of God must not depart from their mouths, (4) that they were to meditate on it night and day, and (5) that it would be the work of the Word that would make them prosperous (vv. 7-8).
God’s Way, vv. 6-9, 16-18
And what kind of work did the Word produce in Joshua’s life? It formed the basis of Joshua’s courage. He is told to be “strong and courageous” (v. 6), “strong and very courageous” (v. 7), “strong and courageous” (v. 9), “do not be afraid” (v. 9), and again, “be strong and courageous” (v. 18).
God’s work continues to be the liberation of those in bondage through His inspired, saving, and transformative Word, lived out and set forth through people with humility, boldness, and courage (Acts 4:31). B&R