BGEA

Friday, September 23, 2011

Joshua 3-5- September 22, 2011


RED SEA RULES by Robert J. Morgan
1.     Realize that God means for you to be where you are.
2.     Be more concerned for God’s glory than for your relief.
3.     Acknowledge your enemy, but keep your eyes on the Lord.
4.     Pray!
5.     Stay calm and confident, and give God time to work.
6.     When unsure, just take the next logical step by faith.
7.     Envision God’s enveloping presence.
8.     Trust God to deliver in His own unique way.
9.     View your current crisis as a faith builder for the future.
10.  Don’t forget to praise Him.
Thank you to Lillian Hambrick, one of our Core Leaders, who shared The Red Sea Rules with me. Comparing the parting of the Red Sea and the Jordan River has been interesting.PRAYER
MIRACLES, MEMORIALS, and the MARK OF THE COVANENT
God used a mighty Miracle to bring His people into a land flowing with milk and honey. Two Memorials were erected for a reminder to Israel and future generations and surrounding nations. He renewed the Covenant through circumcision which physically and spiritually Marks Israel as His people. 
Ladies please turn in your Bibles to Joshua.  I will be referring to chapters 3-5.
The Ark was very sacred; the people must keep a distance of about a thousand yards behind it and; never touch it. The Ark would be the only manifestation of God's physical presence on earth. The priests sprinkled blood on the mercy seat for the sins of the people. This is a foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross.
The Ark of the Covenant was in the very heart of Israel's camp for 40 years during the wilderness march. The twelve tribes camped about the ark. It was the very center. Now the Ark is to go before the people, to lead them where they have never been before. The ark is mention 16 times in ch.3-4 of Joshua (Ark of the Covenant 10 times, ark of the Lord 3 times, simply the ark 3 times.)
Joshua 3:3 When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. PICTURE OF ARK
An interesting thing I found in Deuteronomy 31:26 24 After Moses finished writing in a book the words of this law from beginning to end, 25 he gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD: 26 “Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God. There it will remain as a witness against you.
Joshua 3:5 Joshua instructs the people, “Consecrate yourselves,” Exodus 19:10 statesGo to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes.”
Washing your body and changing clothes symbolized making a new beginning with the Lord.  The Lord God of Israel is holy and deserved honor and respect. Other examples in the Bible:  Jacob returning to Bethel Gen. 35:1-5 and King David’s confession before God 2 Sam.12:20
The rest of verse 5Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.”
God had brought them through the Red Sea, pretty amazing. They were provided manna and quail and water for forty years in the desert. Their sandals and clothes lasted for forty years. All of that is so amazing, what more would it take to impress the people.
Joshua 3: 7 And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. 8 Tell the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’”
During most of the year the Jordan River is about 100 Feet wide, but in the spring time when it overflows its banks it became a mile wide. What a display of God’s power!
Joshua 3:15 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam, while the water flowing down to the (the Salt Sea[b]) was completely cut off.
Warren Weirsbe believes that is about a 20 miles walkway for the million Israelites to cross.
MIRACLES
  •   Jordan River in Flood stage
  •   About 1 million people to cross
  •   Waters backed up 20 miles to Adam 
  • Yabbashah- Hebrew for dry ground
The priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant literally had to step into the Jordan River when it was at flood stage getting their feet wet before the River would stop flowing.
Exodus 14: 21 tells us: Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land.
This miracle was even more amazing than the Red Sea. Warren Weirsbe states “This time it was not the obedient arm of a leader that brought the miracle but the obedient feet of the people.”
The Hebrew word for dry land or dry ground is yabbashah. Patti Prieb’s husband contributed this little nugget. There are only 12-14 times this word is used in the entire Bible, depending on the Version.
      Creation:  Genesis 1:9, 10 separating water from dry land.
      Noah:  Genesis 8:13 days after the ark landed he had to wait for the ground to dry up
      Red Sea: Exodus 14:16, When the LORD to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.
      Jordan River: Joshua 4: tell your children 22 ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’
      Jonah 2:10   And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. Various retelling of the above stories in Nehemiah, Psalms, and Isaiah.
  Your new word for the day- Yabbashah.
MEMORIALS
  •   To encourage Israel
  •   To be a sign for their children
  •   To be a testimony to other nations
Joshua 4: the LORD said to Joshua, 2 “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, 3 and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan from right where the priests stood and to carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.”
Now ladies, these are not little pebbles you pick up for a memory stone. These must have been huge boulders to build a Memorial with just 12 stones. The carried them 2 ½ miles from the Jordan to Gilgal.
 20 And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. 21 He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over.

Washington, DC is a city of monuments and memorials. We honor the presidents, generals and statesmen who helped shape our great nation. A “Photo Tour” of Washington, DC. Highlights 15 memorials, several that I missed on my actual visit. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in a wheel chair with his little terrier and the Korean War Memorial- Nineteen stainless steel sculptures looked like men walking in rain capes some emerging from the woods. http://dc.about.com/od/monuments/ss/MonumentPhotos_15.htm
The Vietnam Memorial is probably one of the most visited. This photo is actually of a painting by Lee Teter called “Vietnam Reflections”. Look closely in the reflection of the wall to see images fallen comrades reaching out to comfort a grief stricken man.
Do you have any memorials to share with future generation?  Ladies are you sharing Christ with your friends and family. What will your children and grandchildren share about you after you have gone to be with Jesus?
Several years ago my first attempt at Stamping, was at the home Linda Deaton. A group of ladies used a simple notebook to make a book of Blessings. Now I still use my Journal to jot down prayer requests and occasionally to record the answers to those prayers. There is a stack of prayer journal from years ago when my kids were teenagers. Hopefully when I die, these will be rescued from the yard sale. Maybe my children will have a chance to read the prayers my Little Group said over them. Perhaps my grandchildren will learn to love God through the remembrances of my life.
TWO MEMORIALS
4: 9 Then Joshua set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan at the place where the feet of the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant were standing, and they are there to this day. NASV
Weirsbe tells us, When the Jewish children ask about the memorial stones at Gilgal. Perhaps their parents will add “there is another memorial where Joshua piled up stones in the middle of the Jordan.”  Even though they cannot be seen, children would accept this fact by faith. It symbolized the burial of their old life. As the crossed the river they became citizens of Palestine, a new life of obedience to the Lord.  Faith is hope in things not seen.   
What a picture of baptism in Rom. 6:2-6, The
Message by Eugene Peterson explains it so well.
If we've left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn't you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace—a new life in a new land!  3-5That's what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see where we're going in our new grace-sovereign country.
Memorials so other nations might know-Joshua 4:24 He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.”
Rahab had already testified that those in Jericho had heard of the miracles of the Red Sea. Jane Anderson tells that in her trip to the Holy Land she visited Jericho. Her belief is that the people high on the walls of Jericho may have been able to see the Jordan.
God used the Miracle of the Jordan for a testimony for Israel, a memorial for their children and a reminder to other nations of His power.
Psalm 78
 4 We will not hide them from their children;
   we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
   his power, and the wonders he has done. 

Here is a photo of my grandson Brayden. He is reading the meaning for one of the Chrismon ornament the ladies of my church made to decorate for Christmas.
MARK OF THE COVENANT
  •   Renewed Covenant
  •   Circumcision
  •   Passover Meal
  •   No more Manna
 Joshua 5:1 Now when all the Amorite kings and all the Canaanite kings heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan, their hearts melted and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.
Do you wonder why this verse precedes the circumcision of ALL the men?  This is how the LORD protected the people while the men were healing until they were able to defend themselves.
5:2-8 the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.”  The men of military age when they left Egypt had died during the 40 years in the desert. They had refused to fight to possess the land flowing with milk and honey, except for Caleb and Joshua. The Lord raised up their sons in their place. They had not been circumcised on the way.
 Weirsbe states “in spirit and reality the Children of Israel had not kept the rite of circumcision, the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant. During that time God  suspended His covenant relationship with that rebellious group. He continued to preform miracles and met their needs, but they were temporarily not His covenant people.”
Deuteronomy  10:  12 And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to observe the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?  15…he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today. 16 Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.
Joshua 5: 9 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So the place has been called Gilgal to this day.  Word means a rolling.
Deuteronomy 30:6 The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. For the generations to come you are to commemorate and celebrate PASSOVER as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance.
Exodus 12: 25 When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. 26 And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ 27 then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’”
Uncircumcised men could not participate in the Passover.
Joshua5:10 On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. 11 The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. 12 The manna stopped the day after[c] they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan.
God used a mighty Miracle to bring His people Israel a land flowing with milk and honey. A Memorial was erected for a reminder to all. He renewed the Covenant through circumcision which physically and spiritually Marks Israel as His people. 
 Colossians 2:13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature,[b] God made you[c] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,
As Christians, we have the circumcision of the heart done by Christ and a promise from God to be heirs with Christ. If you want to claim your inheritance, Ladies, you might have to get your feet wet.
Commander of the Lords Army
  •   “Are you for us or for our enemies?”
  •   Joshua fell facedown
  •  Theophany
  •  Holy Ground
Can it get any better for Joshua? (BTW He was already circumcised!)  As Joshua looks toward Jericho perhaps pondering the strategy he meets a messenger from God.
Joshua 5: 13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”  14“Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord[h] have for his servant?” 
Since Joshua fell on his face before the visitor we must believe that he is not an angel. In the commentary that you will read later about “the theophany” defined as a pre-incarnate appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ. Further justified by the next verse.
 15 The commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.  This is another affirmation that the Lord had chosen Joshua, just as he had chosen Moses.
Would you choose today to find meaningful ways to testify to God’s presence and power in your life?  PRAY

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Joshua 1 and 2 September 14, 2011


Remember God’s Promises, Presence, and Protection
Welcome Ladies so good to see you again. Did you bring any friends with you?
QUESTION BOX-You may take complaints straight upstairs and talk to God. Anyone with questions about procedure or the current Bible Study, please write it on a piece of paper, sign your name, and drop it in the. If it relates to this study of Joshua or an immediate need we will address it ASAP.  Don’t forget to put your prayer needs on a note and drop it in the PRAYER BOX.
How appropriate the title of the lecture is with the Anniversary of 9-11 just this past Sunday. Where were you on that day? Did you know anyone affected, injured or killed in the attack? I can remember exactly the room I was in, teaching fourth grade at Belmont Central, when a knock gave at the door and I was called into the hall to relate the news of first plane hitting the Twin Towers.  My first reaction was shock, unbelief that such a thing could happen, confusion on how to handle parents flooding the school to reclaim their children. Never throughout the unfolding of the events and the endless replaying of the action by the television news program, did I feel fear or dread or lack of peace.
Why? Because I remembered God’s promises, assured by His continual presence, and His covered by His sovereign protection.
Isaiah 43:1-3 is one of my favorite promises.
1But now, this is what the LORD says—  he who created you, O Jacob,  he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
PRAYER
Remember God’s Promises
Have you ever noticed that new opportunities often bring with them feeling of inadequacy? Do you think Joshua had doubts as he was given the overwhelming commission to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land?
Moses saw the land but did not possess it. Deut. 34: 4 “Then the LORD said to him (Moses), “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.”
Joshua must now walk in the land to possess it.  LORD said to Joshua 1:2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites”. Talk about responsibility.
3 “I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.”…  from the desert to Lebanon, and the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea on the west.
Joshua had God’s promises 5 “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. “ 6 “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.  Joshua had to walk by faith.
Prosperity and Success
Joshua 1:7 Just be determined, be confident; and make sure that you obey the whole Law that my servant Moses gave you. Do not neglect any part of it and you will succeed wherever you go.8 Be sure that the book of the Law is always read in your worship. Study it day and night, and make sure that you obey everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.9 Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for I, the Lord your God, am with you wherever you go.  Living Translation
When Patti Prieb, our CBS Area Director, called me last July to ask me to pray about accepting the position of Teaching Director. I was stunned; I felt so unworthy of the calling.  But I had to remember the promises of God.
     Joshua 1:5 I will never leave you nor forsake you.
     Thess. 5:24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Do you feel the POWER?
Do you ever feel inadequate in your marriage, your finances, on your job, with your parenting skills? Maybe tonight you even feel like you have bit off more than you can chew with this 30 week Bible Study. Let me ask you a question? Have you taken it to God? Are you appropriating God’s power this is available to you?
A man bought a chainsaw and was frustrated when it didn’t do a good job. He could cut only a couple of trees each day, instead of 40, as he’d been promised. When he brought it back to the shop, the owner pulled the starter rope and the chainsaw started right up. The man asked in surprise, “What’s that noise?”
 Often, we’re like that. We have the chainsaw, but we haven’t learned to access the power! Remember God’s promises are for you. Accept His forgiveness and His supernatural resources to successfully meet the challenges in your daily life.
Joshua didn’t give in to feelings of inadequacy. He remembered God’s promises! Joshua was strong and courageous and stepped out in faith, trusting God would be with him wherever he went.
Joshua may have doubted his ability when he realized certainty of his responsibilities. Moses, his mentor and leader, was dead. Talk about feeling all alone at the top! How could he ever lead this bunch of stubborn, complaining people?
Even Moses, who talked with God, could barely maintain any control as their leader.
WHOSE PEOPLE? (Exodus 32:7LORD said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. 11But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. “O LORD,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? Again 33:1 and 13)
But Joshua had been mentored and trained by Moses. He knew power who had the power and he knew was not alone.
God was with him every step of the way. He could feel the presence of the Lord
Remember God’s Presence “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Matthew 8:24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

Ladies several weeks ago, my pastor was telling the story of the disciples in the boat when storm came up, crying out for Jesus to wake up from his nap and save them from the storm. These were experienced fishermen and had weather many storms.  Matthew 8:26 He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.  Jesus had just healed a man of leprosy and the Centurion’s slave and yet the disciples still didn’t realize the power of God. My Pastor said “They just didn’t get it!”  The Pastor pointed out into our congregation and said “Do you get it?” I was shaking my head really encouraging him. And Ladies I promise I felt like he pointed straight at me!!! And challenged “Do you, do you really get it!!!”I was so convicted, holding on to 3 issues in my hand and clutching them tight. I argued with the God! “Please LORD; I can fix this let me do it!” I don’t want to give it up yet!!! How prideful to think that I am more capable of fixing my problems than Almighty God the Creator of the Universe. Ladies I had to take those issues and lay them down at the altar at His feet and leave them there. And you know I have been freed from those worries. I know who is in control; who controls the waves and calms the storm.
RAHAB “Not who she was, but who she became.”  Harlot, Weaver of flax, Protected her family, Courageous
Let’s talk about Rahab, I am so amazed and comforted to study how God uses the most unlikely people to accomplish His purposes. Praise the Lord- He is using me. Romans 3:9 reminds, No one is righteous. “No, not one.” This year we will be studying other Servants of God that were not perfect, yet Christ blood washes us and redeems us to be used for His glory.
Remember God’s Protection
Rahab had great faith. She heard 10 We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea[b] for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed.[c] 11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
She believed- Joshua 2:9 I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you.
She acted on her faith 12 Now then; please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you.
 Rahab easily could have doubted God’s presence, thinking, “How could God ever be with someone with a past like mine?”
Has that thought ever crossed your mind? The Devil would like for you to believe that, you just remind him that “you’ve been changed, you’ve been reborn, you’ve been washed by the blood of the lamb.”
Someone recently said “God equips the called. He doesn’t call the equipped.” I praise Him every day for His mercies and grace. Give Him all the glory, laud and honor that is due Him.
God’s Grace in the Guardrails
If you have teenagers, we know how they test the limits of your rules. Maybe some of us will even question the policies at work or church. But “Woe be unto those” that challenge the authority of God’s written Word.
Look at the carefully placed guardrails along a mountain road. Who in their right mind would complain about those “limiting, restrictive guardrails?”  God’s Word may seem limiting and restrictive to some.
Melissa Griffin relates this story in her blog, “A few years back, one of my relatives (we’ll call him Bob) was traveling home through the mountains of Western N C after spending the day in another city. As his vehicle cruised the winding roads, Bob began to feel a bit drowsy, but still he drove on. Before long, Bob found himself fully awakened when his truck drifted to the opposite side of the road and ricocheted off the guardrail. Although it left an ugly mark down the side of the vehicle, the guardrail served its purpose well and kept the truck from flying off the road.  Bob learned a powerful lesson that day about the purpose and necessity of guardrails.”
 Some of us might have bumps and bruises from our guardrails. God’s Word keeps us out of the ditch and on the road to success and protects us (sometimes from ourselves.)
GOD’S WORD: Know it, Obey it, Share it
When you feel inadequate about the challenge facing you, nobody understands all that you are going through, friends and family isn’t helping. Commit yourself to God’s Word Find you a book of God’s Promises-read them every morning.
God protected Joshua as he prepared to invade enemy territory. Because Rahab believed in their God, He protected her when she bravely chose to hide the Israelite spies. That same God can protect us, regardless of the circumstances. Remember His protection and step out in faith. You can trust Him!
 What lessons can we learn from Joshua and Rahab? For one thing, God can use all kinds of people to accomplish His purposes. Joshua had a great past of faithfulness, training, and integrity; Rahab had a sordid and ugly past. And yet, God used both to accomplish His purposes.
Ladies would you choose to trust God’s promises, presence and protection?
The secret is in your willingness to risk everything and give all your worries to God.  For Joshua, God’s question was: Will you trust My promises, My presence and My protection to make you Israel’s leader?  For Rahab the question was: Will you risk everything for Me, trusting that I will give you My promise, My presence, and My protection? God’s question for you is: Will you choose to trust God’s plan and purpose for your life?

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Introduction to Joshua


September 8, 2011 Introduction to the Book of Joshua CBS Women’s Evening Class, Gastonia, NC
Ladies, I know you are really going to enjoy studying the Servants of God in the Old Testament. Children have heard so many bedtime stories and Sunday school lessons about these Men and Women. However if you missed those in your childhood, Hebrews 11 in the NT gives us a brief history of the HEROES OF FAITH in the bible starting with Abel through Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel. Though Joshua is not mentioned specifically, it does relate the fall of Jericho.
Warren Wiersby “The main character in the book of Joshua is not Joshua but the LORD Jehovah, the God of Joshua and of Israel.” At least 14 times in this book God is called the LORD God of Israel. In all the Joshua did by faith, he desired to glorify the LORD. That is my aim tonight. PRAYER
 To understand where we are going sometimes we have to look back. Psalm 105 is a quick review of the important events of Abraham and Moses; a “mini Torah” as my friend Jean Bugg would say.
A concise overview of the first 5 books of the OT comes from J. Vernon McGee, “In the book of Genesis Israel was born. In Exodus Israel was chosen. In Numbers the nation was proven. In Leviticus it was brought nigh by the blood. In Deuteronomy it was instructed. Now in the book of Joshua it faces conflict and conquest.” The book of Joshua completes the redemption of Israel that was begun in Exodus. Exodus is the redemption OUT of Egypt; Joshua is the book of redemption INTO the Promised Land.  
Our lecture tonight is “Why Joshua, son of Nun?”
 JOSHUA THE SON My friend Jean Bugg relates as a child in Sunday school hearing about Joshua. “I thought it was strange that he had no parents – he was the son of n-o-n-e. Now I know Nun was his daddy’s name.” And his name wasn’t Joshua to begin with – he was Hoshea son of Nun from the tribe of Ephraim.
How important is a son in the family? We love our girls, our precious daughters we can dress up in lace and ribbons. But Dad often wants to keep trying until they have a son to carry on the family name.
Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE The Hebrews regarded the presence of children in the family as a mark of Divine favor and greatly to be desired Ps 127:3 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. The birth of a male child was especially a cause for rejoicing Ps 128:3  Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. More men meant more defenders for the tribe. If there were no sons born to a family, the branch became lost. Gen. 22 God made a promise with Abraham that he would have a son. So his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand of the seashore. This promise is repeated numerous times throughout the Old Testament. Look in day 4 of lesson 2 how the lineage of Jesus in Matthew can be traced back earlier times.
JOSHUA THE SLAVE-Joshua was a slave in Egypt. He saw all the signs and wonders God performed to free his people. He saw the power of Jehovah open the Red Sea so the Israelites could pass on dry land and then close it over the Egyptian army. 
Joshua was a man of faith who knew God and trusted Him to protect His people.
Wonder how Joshua felt after being rescued in such a miraculous way with God’s People safely on the other side! FREE at last! Makes you think of heaven, doesn’t it?
 Joshua was born into slavery and was given the name Hoshea which means salvation. God was preparing him for his calling even then.
Exodus 11-12 Joshua was a first born son which meant his life was in danger on the night of first Passover, the last plague on the Egyptians. He was saved by the blood of the lamb covering the sides and tops of the doorframes of the Israelites.
The firstborn son belonged to God (Nu 3:44 ff). The ceremony of redeeming the firstborn occurred on the 30th day. Friends of the family were invited to a feast. The child was placed in the hands of the Rabbi. The priest asked the mother whether this was her firstborn, and, on being answered in the affirmative, claimed the child as Yahweh's. The father offered the redemption money, some gold or silver in a cup or vessel, which was accepted in exchange for the child. Are you still a slave to sin?  Have you been redeemed by your Father? 
1 Pet 1: 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed …, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect-“ who was chosen before the creation of the world, …Would you trust in HIM to redeem you tonight?
JOSHUA THE SOLDIER Exodus17:
9 Moses said to Joshua “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” 10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
Exodus 17:14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”  How prophetic that God told Moses to specifically relay the message to Joshua.  15 Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. 16 He said, “For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The[c] LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”
The first recorded act of Joshua in Scripture was his victory over the Amalekite army about 2 months after Israel's exodus from Egypt. While Moses was a prophet and representative of God to His people, Joshua was a general and soldier of great military skill. He was a man of great courage and strength.
Joshua was learning that power, True power is from the LORD. Who won the battle? Joshua, Moses, God?
JOSHUA THE SERVANT In Exodus 24 Joshua was called Moses’ servant, aide, minister which indicates he was an official assistant to the leader of Israel.  Our CBS leadership is called the SERVANTS TEAM. That is what we want to be. We are here to serve you.
Exodus 24 Tells the Elders waited while Joshua accompanied Moses up the mountain and the Appearance of the Glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire! The Glory of the Lord rested on the Mountain for SIX days.  Joshua was observing all this, that God is not far off that He is always present. Joshua faithfully waited until Moses descended the mountain forty days later.
 When rest of the children of Israel grew weary of waiting, Aaron, Moses’ own brother, helped them build a god. Ch.31 “24 Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!”  Have you ever heard such a ridiculous excuse?
The Tent of Meeting was the place God‘s Spirit met Moses friend to friend some distance away from the camp. Sometimes don’t you just need to get away from your “camp” and meet with the LORD? That is why CBS is such a big part of my life. I hope you will find it fills that NEED for you as well.  After Moses returned to camp; Joshua stayed with the tent and guarded it.  Joshua was comfortable in the presence of God. Joshua proved himself faithful and trustworthy – Waiting is not easy.
How many of us grow weary of “waiting on the LORD?”  One of my favorite verses Isaiah 40:31 (
KJV)
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint”.
How long have you waited for the answer to your problems? Have you been holding onto to them trying to fix it yourself? Do you have issues you need to left on the altar.  Do you have faith enough to wait on God to fix it for you!
JOSHUA THE SPY Do you remember the bible story of Moses sending the 12 spies to investigate the land of Canaan, the Promise Land?  One from each tribe was chosen. Numbers 13: 6 from the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh; 8 from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun;….. 25 At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land.
They returned and reported to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. 28 But the people who live there are powerful and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekite lives in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan.” V.30Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” The other ten spies shouted, v.32 “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” V.33 We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”
The people wailed and complained, “If we had only died in the desert.” Numbers 14- Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes in anguish. Here they are on the edge of the Land flowing with milk and honey, the inheritance that God has promised Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and Moses. 
Only Joshua and Caleb had faith in God that they could possess the land. The assembly threatened to stone them, but they were courageous in the stand. God was angry with His people. Numbers 14:32 But as for you, your bodies will fall in this wilderness. 33 Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness. 34 For forty years—one year for each of the forty days you explored the land.  REMEMBER ALL THESE 40’S AS WE STUDY.
Have you ever lacked the courage to possess what God had promised is yours? I will never leave you or forsake you; you are a child of a King; joint heirs with Christ! Ladies seek the promises in this BOOK and be amazed at what the LORD has prepared for you.
JOSHUA THE SUCCESSOR
Can you see the hand of the LORD was preparing Joshua all through his life experiences? Not all of them good. Of all of the Israelites freed from the slavery of Egypt only two men were to enter the Promise land-Joshua and Caleb.  NUM. 14:30 “Not one of you will enter the land, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.” Num. 27 tells us the LORD handpicked Joshua to be Moses’ Successor. A man in who is the spirit.  Deut. 1 reminds Moses that Joshua will be the one to lead Israel into the land God promised. The people will finally possess what God had promised Abraham and Isaac and Jacob.
Have you been called by God to a position in your church or community; are you being prepared to be a leader? I can note where God was preparing me for this calling.  What is God calling you to do? Will you take a leap of faith and trust Him?
JOSHUA THE SAVIOR?  Joshua has been regarded as a prototype of Christ, a shadow of the future. Can you see any parallel between Joshua and Jesus? Joshua means God is salvation or Jehovah Saves and our Lord’s Hebrew name is derived from the name Joshua but is Jeshua, The same word in the NT is Jesus.
Joshua brought the Israelites into the Promised Land. Joshua 21:43” So the LORD gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there.”
Jesus brings us to a heavenly Canaan. Hebrews 9:15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
Through conquering the land the people had rest. Joshua 21:44The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the LORD handed all their enemies over to them.” Hebrews 4:8For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.
Jesus said “I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28(NKJV) 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Joshua apportioned the land -Israel’s inheritance. Joshua 21:45 Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.
Jesus Christ offer eternal possessions to all who come to Him. Titus 3:3 “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
What about you? Will you choose to claim all that Jesus has redeemed for you?
Warren Wiersby “After 40 years of wandering the desert Israel will finally claim their inheritance and enjoyed the blessings of the land God had prepared for them. Jesus Christ wants to lead us in conquest now and share with us all the treasures of His wonderful inheritance.”
Ephesians 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”
How many of us are like the Children of Israel? God tells us we are free, He gives us salvation and yet we do not take hold of all the riches He gives. All you have to do is claim what is already yours.

Will you come tonight and talk to me or one of the core leaders. If you have questions and would like to talk at another time, please put a note in the prayer box out front. PRAYER