Commentary On Joshua

INTRODUCTION

In the bible the meaning of someone's name was very significant to their story. Joshua means Jehovah saves. We read can read about Joshua in Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy then in Joshua. These stories are about 2000 years old but they still relate to us today because they have spiritual lessons we need to learn so we can live a victorious life by understanding and living in the new covenant through Jesus Christ.

In brief: Joshua was Moses assistant and then he succeeded Moses and led the

Israelites into the Promised Land.

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Exodus 17:8-16 Joshua defeats the Amalekites.

Joshua was young, strong, dependable and reliable therefore Moses commanded him to choose some men to fight the Amalekites. As long as Moses held his staff up the Israelites were winning. Aaron & Hur held up Moses's arms.

Leaders today also need a few Joshua's to help them build Gods kingdom. In Ecclesiastes 12:1 God’s word encourages us to ‘Remember your creator in your youth, serve God while you are young.’ This is why today’s leaders are and do encourage young people to use their God given gifts and talents to do the will of God. Don't wait till you’re old and grey, give ALL your years to God. Whether your young or old we can all serve God just like Joshua.

Exodus 24:13 Joshua the helper.

Then Moses set out with Joshua his aide, and Moses went up on the mountain of God.

Joshua is referred to as Moses's helper/assistant from a young age. (Num11:28) Moses had a lot of complainers around him, but thank God he also had many helpers, one of which was a Joshua.

The first helper we read about is eve and in Ecclesiastes 4:9 we read that two are better than one. Couples your partner needs your help, encouragement, support. They do not need your sarcasm or criticism. Always speak words of life, blessing and words to help and build someone up.

Exodus 33:11 Joshua wanted more of God.

Inside the tent of meeting The Lord spoke to Moses face to face as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but Moses’ young helper, Joshua son of Nun, did not leave the Tent.

Joshua learned a lot from Moses but he wasn't following a man he was following God and he wanted more of God. He remained in the tent of meeting because he wanted to meet with God for himself, he wanted to know God, not via somebody, but personally.

If you want to know more of God today then take time out to sit still in his presence on your own. Choose a time and place and get alone with God. Get up out of your bed in a morning, freshen up and hear what God wants to say to you, get your instruction from him before you start the rest of your day. I'm not talking about burning incense, bowing your head to a statue, stone or place. God is spirit and we must worship him in spirit and in truth. That means the way we live our life, living it in service to God this is our sweet smelling incense to God.

Numbers 11:1-35 Moses chooses 70 elders.

Here 2 of the elders prophesied outside the tabernacle. This confused Joshua because he thought that Gods spirit would only come upon the elders who had gone to the tabernacle. This shows that in his mind Joshua was limiting God.

God is unlimited, we can’t put God in a box and say God will only do things a particular way. He will not contradict his word but he will not be restricted by man. He is God and he will do things the way he decides.

Isaiah 55:8-9

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,” says the Lord.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Don't put a restriction on what God can do, nothing is too difficult for him. His ways are bigger and better. Just remember whose boss. Gods the boss and like Joshua we should not think that God will do things our way or the way we think, God will do things his way, the way he thinks.

Numbers 14:1-38 Joshua sent to spy out the Promised Land.

Moses sent out 12 men representing each tribe to spy and checkout Canaan the Promised Land. Only two men brought back a good report. Caleb and Joshua they saw the big blessings but the rest brought a bad report they just saw the big giants. The 10 men who brought back a bad report and had no faith in God died of a plague. All those who complained against God also didn't enter into the Promised Land.