GOD'S PRESENCE The book opens: Divine Visits, Divine Presence. God promises to be with Joshua as he was with Moses. Joshua 1:5. "Be strong and of a good courage." Joshua 1:9. Know this, Joshua, the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out all the enemies. Joshua 3:10. The book ends: God's Presence---Rest. Not only did God give them rest from 40 years of wilderness travels and battle, but also rest from the thoughts from within where they battled too. A groundswell of hope and confidence all the days of Joshua. God gave rest on every side. Joshua 21:44.
Courageous Joshua stood up and moved the Israelites' hands and hearts in a good direction: "How long are you going to sit around on your hands putting off taking possession of the land that the God of your ancestors has given you?" Joshua 18:3.
OBEDIENCE
In obedience to God, Joshua told the people to march around Jericho---unheard of military operations. Joshua 6 is victory.
When Achan disobeyed in chapter 7, God punished the people. Achan preferred blessings over battle. Joshua 9:14. Obedience brings blessing 23:14-16. There is an enemy raging within the soul. Internal conflicts in the Promised Land, even Joshua. Was Joshua concerned for God's reputation or his own when his men could not defeat Ai? "Maybe we should have stayed on the east side of the Jordan," said Joshua. God says: Get up! Why are you groveling? Purify your people. Purify yourself. Joshua 7:10-15. The Message
IDOLATRY
"But they didn't get rid of the Canaanites who were living in Gezer." Joshua 16:10. The Israelites chose to tolerate the Canaanites and put them to forced labor. Not enough. Not right. Did they misunderstand the Promised Land for a land flowing with milk and honey and no conflicts? No battles? Living in the Promised Land was no piece of cake and the Israelites wouldn't move in the direction of God's call to each of them---out of fear of the "iron chariots." Joshua 17:16.
PROVIDENCE
"The day God gave the Amorites up to Israel, Joshua spoke to God with all Israel listening. Joshua 10:12. : The Amorite kings v. Joshua and his best fighting men---Joshua's army marched up all-night from Gilgal and surprised the Amorites. But it's what the Lord says to Joshua that trumps everything: "Do not be afraid of them. Not one of them will be able to withstand you." Joshua 10:8.
"Stop, Sun, over Gibeon; Halt, Moon, over Aijalon Valley."
And Sun stopped,
Moon stood stock still
Until he defeated his enemies. Joshua 10:13-14.
"Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel." Joshua 10:14.
COVENANT
Last weighty words. The ones you lean in close to hear: “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed." Joshua 23:14. God fulfilled His promises.
FAMILY
Covenant entails rejecting all other gods except the one true God. Joshua 24:15. As for me and my family, we will worship God.
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