Time to move into Gods promises
Josh 1:1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
Josh 1:2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
Joshua the minister, the servant of Moses it is time for you to lead the people over the Jordan River into the land promised to you. God commands, therefore arise, go over this Jordan. When we hear God speaking through His Spirit, we had better do what he says and when he says to do it. It was now, go now.
Josh 1:3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.
Joshua which is the Hebrew name for Jesus, was a type of Jesus; leading people from bondage to a new promised land of peace and abundance. As Jesus, Joshua would go before the people leading them from bondage to victories.
Josh 1:4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
A great land was promised to Israel by God. Today, when Israel is surrounded by enemies, the nations counsel them to give up land, when they have only a small land in comparison to all other nations. This land was given by God. Only at the time of king David would all this land be occupied. Only at the time of King David's descendant, King Jesus, the Son of God, will all the land again belong to them. God's children will control all the available dwelling places. There will always be battles to fight for God's children, because the devil is god of this world until the King of Kings returns.
2 Cor 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2 Cor 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Josh 1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
What a promise, and it is for us in Christ Jesus. Not any man will be able to withstand the power given you by God, if you believe and go forward in the things that he has promised. Their is victory ahead, do not behave as slaves but as overcomers.
Be Strong
Josh 1:6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
The LORD tells Joshua the land is their inheritance, so do not be fearful, but be of good courage.
Josh 1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Obey the commandments of God. Obedience is required with courage. Joshua needed to be encouraged. The word courageous also is translated, strengthen or encourage. David used this word as encouraging himself in the LORD.
1 Sam 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
Josh 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Josh 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
The LORD really wanted Joshua to receive this message, for he repeated it over and over.
Do we get God's message? Are we faithful hearers and doers?
Deu 4:31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
Mighty Men of Valour
Josh 1:10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,
Josh 1:11 Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.
Prepare to go into battle. Get together food and supplies, we are going over the Jordan to capture the promise land. Within three days, they would depart, for the LORD has given us the land to possess it.
Josh 1:12 And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying,
Josh 1:13 Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.
Josh 1:14 Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them;
For the tribes who have settled on this side of the Jordan, your wives, children and cattle may remain in peace. But the men will go forth with your brethren of the tribes of Israel, you will join with these mighty men of valour. The war had begun, they were not separated, but all would join in the battle to defeat the enemy and receive the promises of God. The church should be united as this example. We should not be in our own tribe or denomination, only concerned for their own piece of land and people. We must conquer the enemy together. We are strong when in unity, for we are one in our Lord.
Josh 1:15 Until the LORD have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the LORD your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD'S servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.
Help out the other tribes, and then you can return into your rest. The early church took up offerings for the persecuted church in Jerusalem. They gave to the necessity of the saints. Other saints in other lands are being persecuted, we need to join together in prayer for them and to aid them as we are able.
2 Cor 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
2 Cor 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
The fight is the Lord's and we are his people, called by his name. Let no one be alone in this battle. We are mighty men and women of valour. Let us go forth together, rescuing the perishing. Let us take back what the enemy has stolen.
We will obey Joshua
Josh 1:16 And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.
Josh 1:17 According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.
The mighty men of valour recognized Joshua as the replacement to Moses. They were willing to have him command them and they would also obey him. A spiritual leader hears from God, so actually the followers would be following God. Many times a leader will be so respected, that the one who follows him is not given the respect and allegiance that he needs. Who can replace Billy Graham? Perhaps you and I, for the Lord is the one we preach, it is he we follow.
Josh 1:18 Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.
They had the law, to reinforce the commands. Under the law, transgressions were followed by shedding of blood. Jesus shed his blood for us, so that our blood would not be required when we transgress the law. Be strong and be of good courage. Words for the advancing army of Israel and words for us today. Obey Joshua and obey Jesus. We are to submit to God's leaders as they hear and submit to God.
Two Spies
Josh 2:1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
Forty years had passed, since their fathers were told to spy out the promise land. Twelve were sent and ten came back speaking fear and unbelief. Because the ten were heard and believed, a generation were forced to walk in the wilderness until all those of unbelief had perished. Two men had faith forty years previous; Caleb and their new leader Joshua.
Two spies were sent out this time, representing the two who brought back a good report. Jesus later would send out His witnesses two by two to bring new life to the lost. Coming to Rahab was symbolic of reaching to the lost to receive grace by faith.
Josh 2:2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.
The King of the heathen nation was alerted of spies in the land.
Josh 2:3 And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.
Josh 2:4 And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:
Rahab had more faith in the two, then in her king, she hid them. This is like the sinner who has received the word of grace, she hides it in her heart. The king of the world, the devil, seeks to take away that hope, for the two were a threat to his kingdom, but she trusts the messengers.
Josh 2:5 And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.
She lied to the king, in order to protect the spies. I have been asked, is it ever right to lie? Yes, if it is to protect the innocent from harm. We do not serve the devil, if speaking the truth will bring harm, because satan is seeking to destroy, then we do not allow this. We are not people of lying. This should be avoided and not to be a desired way to behave. The test is, will it bring harm to others. Would speaking the truth destroy others? We do not aid the enemy.
Josh 2:6 But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.
Josh 2:7 And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.
Rahab had sent the kings men on a chase, but the men were safely hidden on her roof top. We send satan out, we cast out his influence from us. We do not allow him to harm others. It may even require casting out demons, for the persons benefit. We do not cast our demons unless we know they will be filled with God's Spirit. For then they will return, with more. Rahab had protected the two spies, this would bring her protection. When we receive Jesus, we are under his grace and protection. We are brought out of sin and death to a new nation, a new family of God.
Terror
Josh 2:8 And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;
They were hid in the stalks of flax that were laid upon the roof.
Josh 2:9 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
How did she know this?
Josh 2:10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
They had heard of the wonder of God that led them. Had not the LORD led them from the beginning? When the first spies went into the land, their unbelief stopped them from taking what God had provided. God has much for us, if we will believe his word and follow his Spirit. The enemy believed.
James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
The first generation of Israel coming out of Egypt, did not mix faith with obedience. They defeated themselves. Our negative thinking and words will defeat us. Speak God's word and do his will. Rahab expressed to them how God had put fear in the hearts of the people. She recounted God's miracle and the recent accounts of the Hebrew victories: and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
Josh 2:11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
The LORD had already won the battle. They and we must not fear. Be of good courage, be strong in the LORD, the victory is won. Their hearts did melt, the enemies courage was turned to fear. They saw the glory of the LORD, the God of Israel.
1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Scarlet Thread
Josh 2:12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have showed you kindness, that ye will also show kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token:
Josh 2:13 And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.
Rahab the harlot wished to make a covenant with the two spies from Israel. Who would trust the promise of a sinner? What of the oath of God's people? God keeps His promises. So shall his covenant people. Though all the world sins, we are to keep our word.
Josh 2:14 And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.
Josh 2:15 Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.
Josh 2:16 And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.
Josh 2:17 And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.
Josh 2:18 Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee.
The scarlet thread, reminiscent of the lamb's blood painted around the doorway of the Hebrew homes in Egypt. The death angel passed over the dwellings with the scarlet blood of the lamb, but those without, lost out. There is safety in the home where the blood of Jesus is applied.
Josh 2:19 And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.
Josh 2:20 And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
Josh 2:21 And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.
So be it according to your words. The scarlet thread was the lifeline to spare Rahab and her family. Salvation through the blood of Jesus brings life to all the family.
All who came within the Ark of Noah were saved.
Gen 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
Paul spoke salvation to the jailer and his family.
Acts 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Rahab interceded by faith, to secure the lives of her entire family. By faith we intercede, through prayer for salvation for all in our own families. All are saved by the blood of Jesus, through faith in Jesus we are saved from the wrath of God that will come on the children of disobedience.
The Good Report
Josh 2:22 And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not.
They went to the mountain. It was on a mountain where Moses had received the law. The mountain is where we see a clear view of things. They pondered the words of Rahab and waited. We wait upon the LORD, when he says move, we move. They were safe while on the mountain from the enemy. We all need to go to the mountain at times. When we are in troubles needing a clear vision, we go to the mountain and commune with God.
Lot was told to escape to the mountain, when God's judgment was to fall on Sodom and Gomorra. Lot refused, and got into more trouble. We get into trouble when we do not submit our will to God's will.
Gen 19:17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life (Lot); look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
Gen 19:18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:
Josh 2:23 So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them:
Josh 2:24 And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.
They believed the report of Rahab. They believed the true report and spoke faith. God's word is the true report of God, we are to believe and trust and do as he says. We are to share the good news of the gospel.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Rom 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
Eaglewings Sites
Journey 9
Journey 1
Eaglewings Ministries
Eaglewings Daily Bible