Preparing to Cross (Joshua 1:1-9)

 

[Title Slide] Preparing to Cross (Joshua 1:1-9)

 

[Slide] We will be celebrating Independence Day this week. Happy 4^th everybody! [Slide] It’s also a presidential election year. Will voters reveal it’s time for a change in leadership? We may wonder, “Will the next president be what America needs for the times we are facing? Today is my last day with you. Perry Montgomery begins his ministry with you this week. [Slide] I trust you will remain faithful to our true leader, the Lord Jesus Christ, as you greet him warmly and pray for him throughout his ministry with you. And regardless of who sits in the oval office, may the Church remain the faithful Church of Jesus Christ.

 

[Slide] The reading from Joshua takes place east of the Jordan River. To the west lay the Promised Land of Canaan. Moses had led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, through 40 years in the wilderness, and prepared them to cross into God’s promised future. Moses will not make this crossing. He will die there. A change of leadership was required. God commissioned Joshua to take the role of spiritual and political leadership for Israel.

 

Let’s do a little history on Joshua. The first time Joshua is mentioned in the Bible is Exodus 17:9.

 

[Slide] Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some men for us and go out; fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”

 

There’s no background, whatsoever. The Bible just name drops Joshua as if we already know who he is! The Amalekites attacked the Hebrews as they journeyed through the wilderness. Joshua led the battle and won the day. [Slide] The story goes that as long as Moses held his staff above him with outstretched arms, Joshua and his troops prevailed over the enemy, but when Moses’ arms got tired and he lowered them, the Amalekites prevailed. Aaron and Hur stood on either side of Moses and held up his arms!

 

Joshua isn’t the hero of this battle, not really. The hero is God. God’s power flows through Moses to Joshua and the men of Israel. This is a picture of how Israel will cross into its future. Power and truth go from God to Moses, Moses to Joshua, and Joshua to the people. Joshua will lead Israel to keep God’s law. By doing so, Israel will live under the power and protection of God.

 

[Slide] God chose Joshua to take Moses’ place. [Slide] His given name was actually Hoshea/Hosea, which means Salvation or Saves. [Slide] Moses renamed him Yehoshua (Joshua), which means Yahweh is Salvation or The Lord Saves. [Slide] Yehoshua is shortened to Yeshua, the name of our Lord Jesus. 

 

Joshua served as an aid to Moses, his trusted personal assistant. [Slide] When Moses prayed in the tabernacle, Joshua kept watch. When Moses returned to camp, Joshua stayed at the tabernacle. This image speaks of his devotion to the Lord.

 

An important story is the spying out of the Promised Land. Moses picked one man, from each of the 12 tribes of Israel, for this mission. Joshua was the representative for Ephraim. When the spies returned, they gave a good report of a land flowing with milk and honey. [Slide] They carried back a massive cluster of grapes. But, they also gave a frightful message. The cities were fortified with tall stone walls, and they saw giants. They warned,

 

“We are not able to go up against this people, for they are stronger than we… The land devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great size. We saw the Nephilim, and to ourselves we seemed like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.” (Num 13:31-33)

 

[Slide] Only Joshua and Caleb of the tribe of Judah encouraged the people to go and take possession of the promised land.

 

They said, “If the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us... Only, do not rebel against the Lord, and do not fear the people of the land, for they are no more than bread for us; their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” (Num 14:7-9)

 

The people were not convinced and threatened to stone Joshua and Caleb. Because of their refusal to take possession of the land, God made them wander for 40 years, until every one of them died in the desert. [Slide] Only Joshua and Caleb were allowed to cross the river into the Promised Land.

 

After Moses died, Joshua stepped into leadership. You can imagine the reservations he must have had, filling the shoes of the greatest prophet Israel had ever known. How do you do that? Would Israel even listen to him?

 

A few things occurred to give the people confidence that God was with Joshua. [Slide] At his commissioning, Moses laid his hands on Joshua to impart some of God’s power. This public ceremony was intended to put Joshua forward as the new leader, endowed with the same power Moses had carried. [Slide] At the crossing of the Jordan, the people truly saw that God was with Joshua. Just as God split the Red Sea for Israel to cross on dry land for Moses, [Slide] God stopped the waters of the River Jordan for Joshua and the Israelites to cross into the Promised Land.

[Slide] On that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him, as they had stood in awe of Moses all the days of his life. (Jos 4:14)

 

As they prepared to cross the Jordan, God gave these instructions to Joshua.

 

[Slide]

·       Now proceed to cross

·       Be strong and courageous

·       Be careful to act in accordance with all the law

 

Another way to read, “now proceed to cross” is “straightaway, get up and cross over.” The time of preparation in the wilderness was over. They were ready to take possession of the land. It was time to move into action. [Slide] God told Joshua, “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, as I promised to Moses.” (Jos 1:3)

 

[Slide] Archaeology has revealed ancient foot shaped encampments in Israel. This one, north of Jericho, dates to the time of the conquest. Archaeologists suggest that these foot shaped encampments reveal the early Israelites attitude. They fully embraced God’s promise to give them the land. The foot shaped camp was a daily reminder.

 

[Slide] God commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous precisely because God promised to be with him. God told Joshua,

 

I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous… (Joshua 1:5-6)

 

Where does courage come from? Is it not confidence? As Joshua prepared to take Jericho, he had doubts. He feared for Israel. Joshua sought the Lord. He needed proof that the Lord was going to be with them. [Slide] God sent an angel to encourage Joshua.

 

Joshua’s courage wasn’t found in his own abilities, but in the limitless abilities of the Lord, our God. [Slide] When Sarah, the elderly and barren wife of the patriarch Abraham, laughed at the notion of an old woman giving birth, God said to her,

 

Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? (Genesis 18:14)

 

[Slide] And when the angel Gabriel visited a young virgin and announced she would bear the Son of God, the angel answered Mary’s concerns by saying…

 

nothing will be impossible with God. (Luke 1:37)

 

Both Joshua’s and Mary’s courage were rooted in their faith in God’s ability. Therefore, Joshua was able to be strong and courageous as he led Israel into the Promised Land.

 

When you read the words on the screen, do you really believe it? Or does it seem like fanciful pie in the sky thinking? How capable is your God? Here’s how the apostle Paul described our creator. [Slide] From Romans 4:17,

 

Abraham believed in a God who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

 

This is who our God is, creator of heaven and earth, maker of all things seen and unseen, the spiritual and the material world. If God can make this vast universe in all its wondrous glory, God certainly has the power to create new categories of existence like the resurrected body. If God can raise the dead and give you a new spiritual body that can endure eternity, God can do all things. Nothing is impossible with God at your side.

 

For Israel, God’s presence among them was provisional.

 

God commanded Joshua,

 

[Slide] Be careful to act in accordance with all the law, then you will be successful.

 

God established a covenant through Moses with his chosen nation.  It functions like wedding vows. God binds Himself to His beloved people, and the people bind themselves to God. By keeping His laws, God will dwell among the people and bless them. God will give His obedient nation victory over their enemies. God will bless the fields to bear fruit, vegetable and grain. God will bless flocks of cattle, sheep and goat to be fruitful and multiply. An obedient Israel means a blessed Israel.

 

Sadly, Israel failed to remain faithful. But God always keeps a faithful remnant for Himself. Through a faithful remnant, God will rebuild, replenish, and restore. You are the faithful remnant of this congregation.

 

[Slide] There’s a change of leadership coming to this church with Pastor Perry Montgomery. I trust he is gifted with what you need to step forward into the future. Your leadership council certainly has what it takes to lead you into the future.

 

They are preparing you to cross over into a bright future. You may fear the giant prospect of attracting new members. Don’t make the mistake of looking at what you don’t have. Look at who promises to be with you!

 

[Slide] In exile, God encouraged Israel.

 

I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

 

I don’t know what God has planned for you, but I do know that people need the Lord and you’ve got God with you. Is anything too wonderful for the Lord?

     Dream God-sized dreams. Keep the law of love in everything. Practice the golden rule. Treat others as you wish to be treated. Seek to glorify God in everything you do. And trust that God is with you, guiding you, empowering you, blessing you, so that you are a blessing to this community.

 

When the time is right, the Lord is going to tell your leadership, “Now! Get up and cross over into your promised bright future.” Be strong and courageous, for God is with you.

 

I look forward to seeing what you and God can do together!