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PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE

Introduction:

There are four people mentioned in Scripture by the name of Joshua:

1.         Joshua the son of Nun and successor of Moses and author of the book bearing his name.

2.         Joshua the Beth-shemite, and owner of a field in the days of Eli. (1 Samuel 6:14, 18)

3.         Joshua the Governor of Jerusalem in the days of Josiah. (2 Kings 23:8)

4.         Joshua the son of Josedech. He was high priest at the time of the rebuilding of the Temple after the Babylonian exile. (Haggai 1:1; 2:4; Zechariah 3; 6:11)

Joshua the son of Nun was a great man and a great leader. Though he was born in slavery, he rose to great heights as a military, political, and spiritual leader. He was chosen by Moses to head up Israel's first "army." He became Moses' minister and served him faithfully all the years of Moses' life. At Moses' death Joshua became Israel's head and led them into Canaan to possess the promised land.

There are two words that describe Joshua and these two character traits were keys to his success:

1.         Joshua Was Faithful!

            He was faithful first of all to God,

            He was faithful to Moses, and

            He was faithful to perform any task given him.

            His faithfulness was rewarded by God.

2.         Joshua Was A Servant!

            He was a man with a servant's heart!

            He was the servant of God.

            He was the servant of Moses, and

            He was the servant of the people.

            This faithful servant lived a life that we can learn much from.

I.         JOSHUA’S BACKGROUND.

            A.        His Family.

                        1.         His father was Nun of the tribe of Ephraim.

                        2.         His mother is unnamed.

                        3.         He was born and reared in Egypt when Israel was in slavery.

                        4.         His life indicates that he had a spiritual upbringing.

            B.        His Name.

                        1.         The name Joshua means “Jehovah is salvation.”

2.         He was originally named Oshea which means “deliverer” but Moses changed his name to Jehoshua. (Numbers 13:16)

3.         In the Old Testament he is referred to as Joshua, Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Jeshua, Hoshea, and Oshea.

4.         In the New Testament he is called Jesus which is the Greek equivalent of Joshua. (Hebrews 4:6-8)

II.       JOSHUA AS THE MINISTER OF MOSES. (EXODUS 24:13; JOSHUA 1:1)

            A.        Joshua Was Appointed Military Leader Of Israel To Fight Amalek.

                        (Exodus 17:8-16)

1.        This was very shortly after Israel left Egypt and Joshua was already recognized as a leader by Moses.

2.        This is the first mention of Joshua who was approximately forty six years old at the time.

3.        Joshua defeated Amalek on the basis of Divine help but was informed there would be war with Amalek from generation to generation. (vs 11,16)

4.        Amalek, the grandson, of Esau, is a type of the flesh and this story should teach us as Believers that we will have an ongoing battle with the flesh.

            B.        Joshua Went Up Mount Sinai With Moses As His Minister.(Exodus 24:12-18)

1.        His relationship with Moses was different from that of Aaron and the elders.

2.        He apparently continued on with Moses and experienced the glory of God first hand.

C.        Joshua Was With Moses When He Returned From The Mount To Find The People Dancing Around The Golden Calf. (Exodus 32-33)

                        1.         Joshua first heard the strange noise of the people . (Exodus 32:17-18)

2.         Joshua would have been with Moses when he destroyed the calf and made the people drink it. (Exodus 32:20)

3.         Joshua went with Moses into the tabernacle to call the people to repentance. (Exodus 33:7)

                        4.         Joshua stayed in the tabernacle after Moses returned to the people.

                                    (Exodus 33:11)

                                    Possibly he was seeking further personal fellowship with the Lord.

            D.        Joshua would have had two men stop prophesying but Moses forbade it.

                        (Numbers 11:24-30)

                        1.         At this time God was dividing Moses' responsibilities with the elders.

2.         The elders had come outside the camp to the tabernacle and received the Spirit.

                        3.         Two men had remained in the camp and had received the Spirit.

                        4.         Joshua was jealous for Moses sake.

                                    (i.e. He had great love for Moses and great loyalty to Moses.)

            E.        Joshua was one of the two believing spies sent to Canaan. (Numbers 13-14)

                        1.         Joshua and Caleb wanted to go in and possess the land. (Numbers 13:30)

2.         Joshua and Caleb encouraged the people to have faith that the Lord would give them the victory. (Numbers 14:6-9)

F.        Joshua and Caleb were the only survivors of the unbelieving generation. (Numbers 26:65)

G.        Joshua proved himself to be a man of courage, faithfulness, loyalty, and humility by his faithful service under the leadership of Moses.

                        1.         He was a man of character and principle.

                        2.         He qualified himself to be a great leader by being a great follower.

III.      JOSHUA AS THE SERVANT OF THE LORD. (JOSHUA 24:29; JUDGES 2:8)

            A.        Joshua Was Called And Commissioned By The Lord To Lead Israel.

                        1.         Joshua's call was made known to Moses before his death.

                                    (Numbers 27:18-23)

a.         God had Moses bring Joshua before Eleazer the priest and the people. (Numbers 27:19)

                                    b.         Moses was to lay hands on him and charge him before the people.

                                    c.         Moses would share his honor with Joshua.

                                    d.         The people were being shown that no one was indispensable..

                                                It was the office that was important and God would fill it wisely.

                        2.         Joshua was kept before the people by Moses until he died.

a.        Moses commanded Joshua and Eleazer along with the chief fathers about how to deal with the children of Gad and Reuben.

                                                (Numbers 32:28)

b.        The people were told that Eleazer and Joshua would divide the land. (Numbers 34:17)

c.        The people were instructed to follow and encourage Joshua. (Deuteronomy 1:38)

d.        Moses told Israel what he had commanded Joshua and instructed them to charge Joshua, to encourage him, and to strengthen him. (Deuteronomy 3:21-29)

                        3.         Joshua showed himself to be qualified for the office.

                                    a.         He was filled with the Spirit. (Deuteronomy 34:9)

                                    b.         He enjoyed God's presence. (Joshua 1:5; 6:27)

                                    c.         He was indwelt by the Word. (Joshua 1:8)

                                    d.         He was obedient to God. (Numbers 32:12)

4.        Joshua assumed the leadership of Israel at the death of Moses. (Deuteronomy 34:9)

                        5.         The Lord charged Joshua after the death of Moses. (Joshua 1:1-9)

a.         Joshua was to lead the people into the promised land. (1:2-4)

                                    b.         Joshua was assured of God's presence. (1:5)

                                    c.         Joshua was admonished to be strong and courageous. (1:6,7,9)

            B.        Joshua Was Faithful In Leading The People. (Joshua 1-24:8)

                        1.         He encouraged the people to possess the land. (1:10-18)

2.         He was magnified in the sight of the people by God rolling back the waters of Jordan. (3:7-8,14-17)

                        3.         He circumcised the uncircumcised generation. (5:1-12)

                        4.         He saw Christ as the captain of the Lord's host. (5:13-16)

                        5.         He began the conquest of Canaan by defeating Jericho. (6:1-27)

                                    a.         Rahab was spared.

                                    b.         Joshua's fame spread.

                        6.         He had to deal with the sin of Achan. (7:1-29)

7.         He encouraged Israel to take possession of what God had promised. (18:1-3)

                        8.         He made provision for the cities of refuge. (20:1-9)

9.         He called the elders and exhorted them to be faithful after his death. (23:1-16)

                        10.       He gathered all the tribes to Shechem and charged the people. (24:1-28)

a.         He rehearsed God's dealing with Israel from Abraham to that present day. 24:1-13

                                    b.         He called for the people to make a conscious choice. (24:14-25)

C.        Joshua Died As A Faithful Servant When He Was One Hundred Ten Years Old. (Joshua 24:29-30)

D.        Israel Served The Lord All The Days Of Joshua And The Elders Who Overlived Him. (Joshua 24:31)

IV.      SPECIAL THOUGHTS ABOUT THE WORK OF JOSHUA.

            A.        Joshua Followed Moses Who Brought The People Out Of Egypt.

                        1.         At this point the people were under the blood. (i.e. Saved)

                        2.         The people had left Egypt (the world) but stopped short of Canaan.

                        3.         The people wasted their lives in the wilderness.

            B.        Joshua Took Over Where Moses Left Off.

                        1.         He took God's people out of the wilderness.

                        2.         He led them to claim God's promises.

                        3.         He provided a rest for them. (Cf. Hebrews 4:6-8)

                                    a.         The rest that he provided was not complete.

                                    b.         Christ provides the complete rest that Joshua only foreshadowed.

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!