“Serve the Lord” (Josh 24)

‘I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them; you eat of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.’ Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! (vs13-14)

The Lord Jesus bids us to worship God upon the basis of His perfections, and the fact that He alone saves sinners from hell into heaven and newness of life. We are to serve Him in sincerity, knowing that He accepts nothing less, and there's a reward in the end.

First, the Lord Jesus Christ, our God and Savior, is the only reason we're going to heaven instead of hell (vs1-13). He says, “I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them; you eat of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant”, and again, “not with your sword or with your bow”, and again, “I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to what I did among them. Afterward I brought you out”. Surely, therefore, He must be good. He saved us, chose us, fought for us, and gave us eternal life, not because we deserved it, contributed to it, or in any way could have helped ourselves. The gospel is not a “cooperating” but a saving God. It is not Him helping you achieve your potential by a helpful push, but it is Him giving life to sinners who naturally hate holiness and would WILLFULLY perish. He has done it all. He is the SINGLE reason that sin doesn't whip you even now. He is why you no longer believe the lies of this world, and He is why you'll make it: His covenant promises, His goodness, His merit, and the power of Him only. Believe you this?

Secondly, He must be worshiped correctly, in response to the gospel (vs14-28). He says, “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord!” We cannot believe Him as Savior and yet worship someone else as lord. We can't say, “Saved by grace”, and then live for self. If we're of God... if we know that He is good... then singular devotion is demanded. Francis Chan is in his book, “Crazy Love”, says, “Jesus' call to commitment is clear: He wants all or nothing. The thought of a person calling himself a "Christian" without being a devoted follower of Christ is absurd.” And, he is right. We read elsewhere, “let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Cor 5:7-8). If God is gracious, then let us believe on Him genuinely, unto newness of life. If God is the truth, then let us believe Him on His terms, receiving salvation for what it really is. Nothing could be worse than confessing Christ's goodness, and yet not believing it unto a new course of life in the house of God and among your family and friends.

Thirdly, there's a reward for worshiping God rightly, and it is experienced in the life to come more than in the present (vs29-33). We read, “Now it came to pass after these things that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, one hundred and ten years old. And they buried him within the border of his inheritance”, and again, “The bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel had brought up out of Egypt, they buried at Shechem, in the plot of ground which Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor... for one hundred pieces of silver, and which had become an inheritance of the children of Joseph”. These men died in faith, even as all must die, but their death only BEGAN eternal pleasures, for they served for a reward yet to come. It is the same with us!

Worshiping God ain't easy. It takes everything you've got, and then some. It is IMPOSSIBLE with men (Matt 19:26). But, in GOODNESS, God gives grace and glory (Ps 84:11). He saves, keeps, gives newness of life, and revives the heart by the word, forcing us by many infallible proofs to trust Christ again, and to love as we're loved. He saves us unto the Day of full salvation, when sin is destroyed, temptations are eliminated, and pleasure is enjoyed unfettered, unceasingly, forever. We wait for the reward, and we'll be rewarded soon.

Finally, you've heard He's good, heard to believe Him for real, and you've heard the excellent reward you'll receive. Do it.

“As the Lord Your God Promised You”

"And the LORD your God will expel them from before you and drive them out of your sight. So you shall possess their land, as the LORD your God promised you. Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left, and lest you go among these nations, these who remain among you. You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them, but you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day. For the LORD has driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has been able to stand against you to this day. (vs5-9)

Three things are fundamental to God's word. (1) the Promises: God saves by PROMISING us salvation, and performing it by Himself by His power. (2) Commands: God's salvation comes with conditions or commands attached, so that we receive salvation ONLY if we repent and believe the gospel. (3) Warning: if we won't believe, then we'll be damned. We can't have the inheritance of the righteous as unbelievers.

These three things are fundamental to God's word. Let's examine them closely.

First, God saves by promising good to us (vs1-5). He says, “And the Lord your God will expel [your enemies] from before you and drive them out of your sight. So you shall possess their land, as the Lord your God promised you”. He saves us Himself, by His power and Spirit. We read again, “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength” (Is 40:29). He is the One who died, so that He may justly bless sinners with the blessings of eternal life. He is the reason that we endure, conquer, and enjoy salvation: He does it for us.

Secondly, salvation comes with terms of surrender, even faith (vs6-11). He says, “you shall hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day... take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the Lord your God”. We must RECEIVE the salvation that God gives by the means that He has ordained. He justifies by faith, saves by faith, and does all in the human soul by faith only. I can't say, “The promise is mine”, and not have the faith that produces actions and deeds, the faith of God's elect, which is unto godliness. We believe God's goodness in Christ unto DEPENDENING upon Him to make us able to live the life that He commands. Faith isn't believing part of the word (the promises), but it is believing the whole thing (commands and warnings included).

Thirdly, as the gospel is preached, salvation comes with a warning attached (vs12-16). We read, “When you have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed down to them, then the anger of the Lord will burn against you, and you shall perish quickly from the good land which He has given you”. Not only can we not have the blessing, but we'll get the curse, if we don't believe God. He hasn't made this optional. There are blessings for faith, and there is misery for everything else. We must believe!

Therefore, what will you do now? You've heard the gospel, and you know that God assuredly saves. It is by His power alone. Will you TRUST Him to save you on His terms, using His power to give you what He's promised, or will you reject mercies and die in unbelief? Salvation's terms are simple. Believe God to do what He has promised. Believe Him and receive the sure mercies, lest you worship something else by unbelief, and receive sure destruction. He says again, “Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all the good things have come upon you which the Lord your God promised you, so the Lord will bring upon you all harmful things, until He has destroyed you from this good land which the Lord your God has given you (vs15).” Choose Christ's grace, instead of wrath. And, choose Him by believing on Him as the only One you serve.

“A Witness Between Us that the Lord is God” (Josh 22)

And the report was good in the eyes of the people of Israel. And the people of Israel blessed God and spoke no more of making war against them to destroy the land where the people of Reuben and the people of Gad were settled.  The people of Reuben and the people of Gad called the altar Witness, “For,” they said, “it is a witness between us that the LORD is God.” (vs33-34)

This witness is zealous love for God and salvation, which shows itself in our love to brethren.

First, handle unfaithfulness directly (vs10-20). We read, “And the people of Israel heard it said, “Behold, the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built the altar at the frontier of the land of Canaan, in the region about the Jordan, on the side that belongs to the people of Israel.'And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered together at Shiloh to go to war against them”. We aren't to let it slide, but we openly deal with heresy, confronting those we THINK have offended, warning and instructing people who APPEAR to be wrong.   Don't let their position in the church or your cowardice keep you from dealing truthfully with sin, lest it spread to the church like leaven, and the Lord departs, fights against you, and misery is the result.

Secondly, we plead our case before the Lord, if we're innocent (vs21-29). We read, “Then the people of Reuben, the people of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh said in answer to the heads of the families of Israel, “The Mighty One, God, the LORD! The Mighty One, God, the LORD! He knows; and let Israel itself know! If it was in rebellion or in breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today for building an altar to turn away from following the LORD. Or if we did so to offer burnt offerings or grain offerings or peace offerings on it, may the LORD himself take vengeance”.  We don't violate scripture. We openly confess our rightness by opening the bible, God's word, and declaring that our actions are pleasing to Him. We honor His worship and word.

He is worshiped as He declares, and we know this. We read again, “Far be it from us that we should rebel against the Lord, and turn from following the Lord this day, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for grain offerings, or for sacrifices, besides the altar of the Lord our God which is before His tabernacle” (vs29). It isn't how, where, or with what I choose, but it's in the Son, by faith, and unto love.  True worship must be had at all costs, so we're wise, even if people hate us, to ensure that we obey God. Jesus said, “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt 10:27-28).  He hasn't said, "You're blessed.  Do whatever you want".  He's said, “But take careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Josh 22:5). Godly fear triumphs over the fear of being judged or misjudged by men.

Thirdly, coming together to reason before the Lord keeps brethren united (vs30-34). We read, “ And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is in our midst, because you have not committed this breach of faith against the LORD. Now you have delivered the people of Israel from the hand of the LORD... So the thing pleased the children of Israel, and the children of Israel blessed God; they spoke no more of going against them in battle, to destroy the land where the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt”.  Suspicion and lies didn't lead the day. Instead, concern, fear of God, and mutual love conquered.  Israel offered their land.  They said, "Nevertheless, if the land of your possession is unclean, then cross over to the land of the possession of the Lord, where the Lord's tabernacle stands, and take possession among us; but do not rebel against the Lord, nor rebel against us, by building yourselves an altar besides the altar of the Lord our God" (vs19).  Likewise, the three tribes east of Jordan gave heart-warming confession of love to Christ. The result of love is peace.  Obedience produces happiness.

Some blame God for misery and sin, but God is the hope filled remedy, the Reconciler, and the Giver of blessings.  When eyes are open, we see God's ways produce peace, while humans bring misery on ourselves by sin. Isaiah 59:8 says, “The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace”.

Learn the joys of obedience, fearing God above human relations and opinions!

God Provides (Josh 21)

Then the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites came to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua the son of Nun and to the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of the people of Israel. And they said to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, “The LORD commanded through Moses that we be given cities to dwell in, along with their pasturelands for our livestock.” So by command of the LORD the people of Israel gave to the Levites the following cities and pasturelands out of their inheritance. (vs1-3)

God is the provider for His people. He provides by His word, commanding us, He provides by the hands of the brethren, encouraging us, and He provides unto the very end, saving us completely!

First, God provides through commandments (Josh 21:1-3). The Levites said, “The Lord commanded through Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with their common-lands for our livestock. So the children of Israel gave to the Levites from their inheritance, at the commandment of the Lord, these cities and their common-lands”. When we see what God says "do", then we know our inheritance, for He doesn't command in vain.

Trust in the Lord, knowing that His benefits, according to His word, are yours.

Secondly, God provides for us without breaking any promises to His children elsewhere, so there's sufficient for all (Josh 21:9-12). We read, “So they gave from the tribe of the children of Judah and from the tribe of the children of Simeon... but the fields of the city and its villages they gave to Caleb the Son of Jephunneh as his possession”. We are all protected, loved, and needing nothing. We don't take from others nor do we fear someone else prospering. God will never neglect anyone to exalt someone else, but we all have access to God, the Spirit, and the victory (Eph 3:12).  The gifts of God are big enough to grace all the believers.

Thirdly, God provides for us, even as He did the Levites, giving us all that we need, using willing brethren (Josh 13:-41-42). We read, “All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty-eight cities with their common-lands. Every one of these cities had its common-land surrounding it; thus were all these cities”. Don't fear that He won't care for you.  The church is His place to revive us again, to hear the gospel, and to be encouraged by the saints unto holiness, by the Spirit. Just as the Levites got provision, God's people serve each other by commandment to the benefit of all. Hebrews 3:13 says, “but exhort one another daily, while it is called, Today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin”. Recently, battling sinful temptation and coldness of heart, God used His word and His saints to encourage me. Not only is Christ preached by the gospel, but the love, concern, and overcoming of the brethren compels me on, as we are in like temptations. It is common together for refreshment, because God has ordained the church to refresh the members, the gathering together, the using of our gifts of exhortation and service, to be the power whereby He revives us again.

Finally, trust Him completely: He provides unto the end (Josh 21:43-45). He says, “Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass”. He will do all that He's said.

Faith receives the promises... not mere desires... of God.  He speaks as having power to do His promises, even if they involve you. He says again, “I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, Seek Me in vain; I, the Lord, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right” (Is 45:19). In faithfulness, He's mighty to make us holy, make us continue in the faith, and He's mighty to save exactly as promised.  Never fear that you'll fail trusting Him, or He'll fail to pay off at the end. Hebrews 10:34-36 says, “you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise”.  He's promised heaven, promised to bring us there, and the promise is solid, safe, and sure.

  

“Could Not Drive Them Out” (Josh 15, 17, 20)

“As for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem to this day” (Josh 15:53)

We don't conquer sin completely, but we fight it lifelong.  We are not under its dominion, but we fall and are taken captive.  We are forgiven, and yet we grieve over corruptions, which spill out, starting in the heart, and then moving into our deeds. We read, “the children of Judah could not drive them out; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem to this day” (Josh 15:63).  But, we are wise to renew the battle, rather than succumb to failure.  We're wise to put the enemy down, lest it disturb or destroy us. God told Israel, “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell” (Numb 33:55-56).

Salvation isn't perfect in experience, but it is perfect in promised help, so we are blameable and accountable for not fighting.

Secondly, enemies of pride, lust, and fear are not undefeatable. We are mighty through God. Joshua said, “You are a great people and have great power; you shall not have only one lot, but the mountain country shall be yours. Although it is wooded, you shall cut it down, and its farthest extent shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots and are strong” (Josh 17:14-18). Someone said in prayer tonight, “They have iron chariots, but we have Christ”. Receive this and fight, though it is hard.  You have promised victory, so get more of God.

FAITH obtains promises through patience, trusts amidst hardships, and it conquers powerful foes.

Finally, there is pardon and forgiveness with God (Josh 20:1-6).  We read, “Then if the avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not deliver the slayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor unintentionally”. Paul said, “I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an injurious man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Tim 1:13). The One we've sinned against pardons the ignorance of sinners who believe.  The remedy for wrong is admitting ignorance, confessing unbelief, and receiving fresh, undeserved, blood earned mercies. God is a refuge in Christ.

Don't let failures stop you now. Don't let laxity overcome you either.  Be received by God and commissioned to love others.

“This Shall Be Your Southern Border” (Josh 15:1-19)

So this was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families: The border of Edom at the Wilderness of Zin southward was the extreme southern boundary. And their southern border began at the shore of the Salt Sea, from the bay that faces southward. Then it went out to the southern side of the Ascent of Akrabbim, passed along to Zin, ascended on the south side of Kadesh Barnea, passed along to Hezron, went up to Adar, and went around to Karkaa. From there it passed toward Azmon and went out to the Brook of Egypt; and the border ended at the sea. This shall be your southern border.

First, God determines our borders, giving the land in election and predestination (vs1-4). He determines how great we are, where we will spend eternity, and every instance of life. We read, “This shall be your southern border” (vs4). Nothing is by chance or half man and half God, but on the throne, He does according to His will, giving us Jesus Christ equally, and yet the enjoyment of Christ according to His will. We shine as bright as determined by God. Be thankful that you shine. He could have passed you by. You deserve hell.

Secondly, take the promises of God by faith (vs16-17). Faith is how we get in on what God has predetermined for us. We read, “And Caleb said, He who attacks Kirjath Sepher and takes it, to him I will give Achasah my daughter as wife. So Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it' and he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife”. We are not to say, “Predestination means that I do nothing”. We are to repent and believe the gospel, receiving what God gives by faith.

He gives the faith, so that we can trust the Lord for blessings, so that blessings may come.

Thirdly, if we ask, then we'll receive (vs18-19). We read, “She answered, "Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water." So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs”. There is no need to say, “I don't have” and stare at others. We may have all that God gives, and we may say, “What I have thus far is not enough. I want more”. He loves GIVING Christ to those who ask, seek, and knock. This is how you “get” from God.

Finally, the healthy soul asks God's blessing, takes them by faith, and acknowledges ELECTION and predestination caused the whole. We GLORIFY God while pursuing Him.

“Rest From War” (Joshua 13:8-14:15)

We rest when the enemies are conquered, but we never completely rest here. We read, “Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance... because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel... then the land rested from war” (Josh14:15). The sin within is miraculously subdued by the Lord who gives us strength, who blesses us with faith, and then blesses our faithfulness. But it is never eradicated. We read again, “Nevertheless the children of Israel did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maachathites, but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day” (Josh 13:13). We continually fight, but we win. He says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph 6:10-11).

When feeling overcome, and sin seems to be your lot in life, believe the promises of a God who saves sinners unworthy of salvation. All the while that He saves us, it is UNWORTHINESS in self that's overcome. Yet, He is the God of mercy, so receive the power that He gives, and FOR Christ's sake, say that He is righteous to bless you, in spite of your constant battle with sin, failures, and all. He is not a forsaking God, and no matter how hell-worthy and wretched we are, He continues to save according to His purpose, His promise, and His love.

We are more than conquerors, though we war daily (Rom 8:31-39). We read, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor power, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”. Having Him, I have a reason to be blessed. Yet, though we rest now by faith, we don't REALLY rest until we get to heaven, to sin and fight no more, when the victory is won. I confessed four reasons that I trust Christ today at a relatives memorial service:

1. Hell. I'm fearful of God's wrath. Blocking it out of my mind and loving sin will not stop the wrath from coming. I can't jump the cliff without sinking, and I can't face God in peace without Christ the Lord.
2. Sin. Sin is monstrous and uncontrollable by me. I have NO power to subdue it or remove it's guilt and shame. I can't atone, and I can't put down the sin that's within. No matter what, at the end of the day, to look lustfully is the same as the act of adultery, and I cannot overcome it.
3. Christ Jesus. He took away the sins of all who trust Him, paying them off completely, and earning the Spirit whereby they're subdued in this life. I have a Savior who CONQUERS sin, not only reconciling me to God, but granting me present power, peace, and joy, undeserved.
4. Grace. Electing love put me in the kingdom, and God is the REASON that I believe. Scripture says, “May God persuade Japheth, and may he dwell in the tents of Shem; and may Canaan be his servant” (Gen 9:27). God comes, when I'm in sin, and gives forgiveness, when I'm expecting wrath and separation. He is SO gracious that words cannot describe Him, but He saves because He loves, and whom He loves, He doesn't allow us to perish, granting repentance BY the forgiveness of sins. We read again, “To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called the tress of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified” (Is 61:3).

Until we get to heaven, God will give us power to obey. We must fight, but we will win.

Conquered, And Yet Given (Joshua 12-13:7)

“These are the kings of the land whom the children of Israel defeated, and whose land they possessed on the other side of the Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the River Arnon to Mount Hermon, and all the eastern Jordan plain...These Moses the servant of the LORD and the children of Israel had conquered; and Moses the servant of the LORD had given it as a possession to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh.” (Josh 12:1, 6)

First, the land is ours, even though we must fight (Josh 12:1-6). We read, “Moses the servant of the Lord and the children of Israel had conquered [the kings]: and Moses the servant of the Lord had given it as a possession to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of manasseh” (Josh 12:6). We don't get the inheritance of heaven apart from fighting on earth, but grace gives the victory, and grace is honored, even though it involves much striving from men.

I met someone who knew that I was telling the truth, and they blindly refused to release their “will power” as the deciding force, giving glory to God.

Others say, “It is by grace, so there is no need to pursue or fight. If God wants you to have it, you'll have it”. This is like what the older minister said to young Willaim Carey, “Young man, if God wants to convert the heathen, He can do it without you”. This is half-grace. It is not the grace that causes us to strive, war, and fight by faith (Eph 6:10-13)

Secondly, the enemies are plentiful, and grace is conquering them all - “all the kings, thirty-one” (vs7, 24 -13:1). The lust, pride, anger, sloth, and all the kings of sin are conquered by the grace of God, who enables us to obey Christ from the heart, willingly, by the gospel of peace, putting pleasure and power in us to do His will, giving us hope amidst the storm.

I sit back and say, “How will I conquer sin? Seriouly, how will I be kept from falling again?” The Lord responds, “But if a man finds a betrothed young woman in the countryside, and the man forces her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die. But you shall do nothing to the young woman; there is in the young woman no sin deserving of death, for just as when a man rises against his neighbor and kills him, even so is this matter. For he found her in the country-side, and the bethrothed young woman cried out, but there was no one to save her”, so that it's impossible that sin be too powerful for God (Deut 22:25-27). If I cry out to Him, then He'll save, even though the battle is life long. We read again, “Now Joshua was old, and advanced in years. And the Lord said to him: You are old, advanced in years, and there remains fvery much land yet to be possessed” (Josh 13:1).

Thirdly, our portion is allotted by God (Josh 13:6-7). God says, “them I will drive out from before the children of Israel; only divide it by lot to Israel as an inheritance, as I have commanded you”. He blessed us with spiritual blessings in Christ, and He decided who would get what gift and how much (1 Cor 12:4-11). We are equals, and yet we use DIFFERENT gifts for the COMMON cause of the body, even as the members of your one body work together for the good of the whole.

“Rested From War” (Josh 11:12-23)

“So all the cities of those kings, and all their kings, Joshua took and struck with the edge of the sword. He utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded... they struck every man with the edge of the sword until they had destroyed them, and they left none breathing. As the Lord had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did... So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had said to Moses; and Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Then the land rested from war”.

The Lord teaches us obedience. We obey the Son of God because it is best for us, because He punishes rebellion, and because there is only rest in overcoming sin.

First, we obey the Son of God (Josh 11:12-15). It doesn't matter what people say or how strange the gospel is to them. It doesn't matter that we're counted as crazy, self-righteous, and narrow minded. He has said “obey”, and we do what He says, like Joshua, not fearing men. I see God killing men, women, and children in Canaan, and I can hear the cavils of men, how it is unfair, unrighteous, etc. But, if God has commanded us to be holy, then we walk holy in conduct, fearing Him. If God says that He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills, He hardens for destruction, then we obey the gospel, admit mercy is undeserved, and trust in Christ. If God declares the gospel of election and predestination in Christ, justification by faith, and good works to be the only way, we get in line. Scripture says, “they struck every man with the edge of the sword until they had destroyed them, and they left none breathing. As the Lord had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses”.

Secondly, if we don't obey, then we're punished (Josh 11:16-20). The Lord is MERCIFUL and hateful, both. He has wrath that lasts forever. We read, “He captured all their kings, and struck them down and killed them”, so that all who oppose Christ and the Church shall be destroyed. He is not a toothless god, all bark and no bite. He is the God that punishes rebellion, so I must obey. I must conquer sin, no matter how hard it is, because sin cannot conquer me, lest I suffer wrath.

In this life, sin works havoc, ruins consciences, separates from God, and brings misery and death. Sin is the enemy, and we must believe the gospel to deal with it. I can't have Christ and sin be my boss at the same time.

Thirdly, the only rest is conquering sin (Josh 11:23). We read, “So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had said to Moses; and Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Then the land rested from war”. It wasn't until the enemy was defeated that the land rested, and it isn't until sin is conquered that we enjoy peace.

It must be conquered by forgiveness, so that the sins I have done are gone, paid in full. It must be conquered by righteousness, so that trusting Christ establishes me permanently righteous before God. It must be the Holy Spirit who for Christ's sake fights for us and subdues the deeds of the body (Rom 8:1-4).

Sin won't be ultimately conquered in this life, only in heaven shall we enjoy perfect peace to sin no more. But, by faith, we get the victory over sin before we battle, and by faith, we stand amidst the temptations of life. Trials are hard and temptations are so troublesome and dangerous that we're to pray, “Lead us not into temptation”, but it is BETTER to obey when tempted than surrender to sin. Sin gives no peace, and while we like to coddle the babe of wickedness in our minds, we must not. The only peace is going back to Christ, bowing to His will, and submitting to Him for joy and peace in obedience.

Finally, we have God, so we can and will obey, we will escape wrath, and we will rest because the enmity of rebellion is subdued by God's grace and His GIFT of victory.

“The Lord Will Do to All Your Enemies” (Josh 10:16-11:9)

“Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings. And they drew near and put their feet on their necks. Then Joshua said to them, Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight” (vs24-25)

I have three points to hammer into one, for they are linked together clearly. (1) The Son of God has earned victory for us, and we will experience it. (2) It doesn't matter the enemy's strength, for God is our Savior, greater than all. (3) And, we're to be bold, encouraged, and on the attack, not the defense, honoring God.

First, the Lord earned a victory that we get (Josh 10:24-25). Joshua told Israel's leaders, “Come near,, put your feet on the necks of these kings. And they drew near and put their feet on their necks. Then Joshua said to them, Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight”. The Lord accomplished the end of sin, dying for us on the tree. When we BELIEVE Him, putting our feet upon His already defeated foes, then we DIE to sin also, entering into His death and newness of life (Rom 6:1-4). Thus, new life and overcoming sin is the result of the victory that He gives. His death is our death, and His victory, even newness of life at God's right hand, is our victory, so we are sure that sin won't reign over us, failures won't cost our souls, and the grace of God WILL enable us to endure.

Secondly, God is the Savior, so it doesn't matter the size of the enemy. He can be numerous, great, and strong, but he isn't more powerful than God (Josh 11:4-6). We read, “So they went out, they and all their armies with them, as many people as the sand that is on the seashore in multitude, with very many horses and chariots. And when all these kings had met together, they came and camped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel. But the Lord said to Joshua, do not be afraid because of them, for tomorrow about this time I will deliver all of them slain before Israel”.

Temptations to quit will come. Disappointments and failures will say, “Why continue? Give it up. You're a fraud”. But, God's love has appointed that God's people who trust in Him shall never be disappointed. He will walk with you, even if He didn't cause the sin. He will comfort you, even if the misery is greater than humans can independently bear (John 14:27). He will fight the devil, even though he's tempted and deceived you before. God is why you and I shall endure, come what may, so lean on the Lord.

Thirdly, take the fight to the enemy, since God is with you (Josh 11:7-8). We read again, “So Joshua and all the people of war with him came against them suddenly by the waters of Merom, and they attacked them. And the Lord delivered them into the hand of Israel, who defeated them and chased them... they attacked them until they left none of them remaining”. Don't be cowardly and weak, but boldly confess your sins, get grace, and go love again. Luther said, “Be a sinner and sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly”. He is saying, “Confess your sins openly, all the vileness and repetitiveness of them, but believe on the Son of God to have taken them away, confessing His blood even more”. Fearlessly venture on Christ and confess Him openly, in spite of past failures. Be strong in the Lord now. He is with you by the gospel, and you have His Spirit to patiently bear mockery and to sincerely do good FOR men (1 Pet 2:20).

Finally, bless God that we have such hope and assurance. The devil separates men from God, cuts them off from blessing, and uses their sins against them (Heb 2:14-15). Yet, we who believe see God GREATER than our sins in Christ, greater than our weakness in the Spirit, and greater than all things against us in His promise to be with us always.

“They Have Also Transgressed My Covenant” (Joshua 7-10)

“So the Lord said to Joshua: 'Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them... Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before the enemies, because they have become doomed to destruction. Neither will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed from among you.” (vs10-12)

The Lord Jesus is God's remedy for sin. Not only does He reveal where we are wicked, causing an honest confession, but He also pays for the sins, earns the Spirit, and delivers us as promised. We must suffer to honor God in this world, but we shall be saved from all that does us harm.

First, the gospel deals with sin, rectifies us with God, establishes the blood of Christ as payment, and promises the Spirit as the power to conquer. We read, “So the Lord said to Joshua: 'Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them'” (vs10-11). Grace doesn't allow us to live in sin. It deals with sin openly in this life by confession. Achan represents sin UNCONFESSED until it is too late, at the Judgment. He also represents the sins of believers, the sins that must be punished fully, burned with fire. We read, “So all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones. Then they raised over him a great heap of stones, still there to this day. So the Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger” (vs25-26). Israel represents believers who confess sin when God reveals that it is the problem. I can't have God and sin, so God shows me that sin must go, it must be FULLY punished, and then He is with us in reconciliation. The Holy Spirit comes to SINNERS because Christ died to earn the deliverance.

Secondly, the gospel blesses us IN SPITE OF sin, and we must believe grace amidst unworthiness and failure in us (Josh 8:6-7). Israel had failed in the matter of Achan and God defeated them by their enemies. Yet, when they handled the matter in confession and forsaking, He returned to them again. We read, “For they will come out after us till we have drawn them from the city, for they will say, They are fleeing before us as at the first.' Therefore we will flee before them. Then you shall rise from the ambush and seize the city, for the Lord your God will deliver it into your hand”. Now, believe that in spite of the failure, God is with you, using the FAILURE to humble, to bring you to Christ, and then to bless you afresh for His sake, ambushing your foes who had you down. We need humility, sincerity, and spiritual dependence upon God the Spirit, so He reveals the wickedness within, deals with it, and then blesses us FREELY. Never think grace needs your worthiness. It is FOR the unworthy. So take it!

Thirdly, the grace that God gives conquers temptations and fears, even though we must serve Him amidst struggles (Josh 10:12-13). We read, “So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the people had revenge upon their enemies”. Gibeon had surrendered to the Lord, but they were servants, even as we serve Christ, though bound in bodies of sin (Rom 7:14-25). The Lord sees that we're in need, hears our cry, and in faithfulness, He saves us, giving us all that we need to CONQUER the hardships of obedience (Josh 10:4-6). The enemy hates the fact that we love God, but the Lord Jesus shall beat him down. We are saved by grace, and thus, saved unto the very end.

Finally, bless Him that you have this inheritance, that He reveals your sins now, and that He paid for them and subdues them by grace. Bless Him, even though you have many hardships and tears fighting sin.

“Then You Shall Shout” (Joshua 6-7:1)

“Now Joshua commanded the people, saying, You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, Shout! Then you shall shout” (vs10).

The Lord Jesus has given us clear instruction (Joshua 6:10-11). Salvation is free, but it comes to us God's way. Ephesians 2 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith”, so that grace, the promise of God's sure victory, is received by faith in this promise, and it is by the obedience of faith, that we overcome.

God told Joshua exactly what to do to get the land. Israel had to march around Jericho once a day, keep silent, listen to the priests blast the trumpet before the ark, and then, they were to shout on the last day. Joshua said, “You shall not shout or make noise with your vice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, “Shout! Then you shall shout”, so that exact obedience is required. God has called us to repent, to do verbs, like “believe”, “seek”, “ask”, and “knock”.

We are NOT to say, “The promise is free, so I will do nothing, and God will save me”, when the Lord has told you to believe and bring fruit worthy of faith (Acts 26:20). We are not to take one part of the gospel, “I have given Jericho into your hands”, and forget the WHOLE counsel of God, “You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once” (Joshua 6:2-3). We are to take the whole thing.

Secondly, if we obey, even though we're worthy of hell, the Lord WILL save us, as He promised (Joshua 6:17). Here, Rahab the harlot is set forth, and she is called a “harlot” to remind us that God saves the vilest offender who truly believes. We read, “Now the city shall be doomed by the Lord to destruction, it and all who are in it. Only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent” (vs17). The fornicating sinner, the hypocrite, and the person that has wickedly and wholeheartedly rebelled against God, shall all be forgiven and cleansed by faith alone. The child of Satan who says, “I am wrong. I have done it my way, and it has not worked, nor will it. It will only ruin me in the end”, and confesses their sins will receive the promised mercy. God has said to me in His word, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”, and I've tried the promise repeatedly (1 John 1:9). He has never forsaken. There may be consequences for sins, but the Lord is FOR whoever repents and believes.

Thirdly, if we don't obey, then it will be misery for us (Josh 7:1). We read, “But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the Lord burned against the children of Israel”.

Obedience is not optional. If I don't do God's will, zealously obeying Him in every aspect of life, I shall not prosper. I can't say, “I'm saved by grace, so it doesn't matter how I live”. No, if I take glory to myself by being my own boss and doing things MY way, as if I'm God and the honor of obedience belongs to me instead of Him, then I shall perish in my rebellion and/or suffer in unbelief.

I cannot turn from the God who's opened my eyes, because I see that He can love and chasten, and we must obey. I see that many who claim the promises are rebellious against the commands, and I watch them, cursed of God, depart from any real fellowship with Christ. I'm warned that I must obey, and the warning makes me get grace from God, confessing sins.

Throughout the day, as you're zealous, you'll see areas of failure. You'll arise from your idle thoughts and find yourself deep in sin. Go no further. Immediately return.

“Circumcise the Sons of Israel Again the Second Time” (Josh 5)

(vs2-5) At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives for yourself, and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time... And this is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: All the people who came out of Egypt who were males, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness on the way, after they had come out of Egypt. 5 For all the people who came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness, on the way as they came out of Egypt, had not been circumcised.

The Lord's salvation makes us obedient. He told them, “Circumcise the sons of Israel again a second time”, and circumcision is proof of faith in Christ. Romans 4 says of Abraham, “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe” (vs11). This mouthful means that Abraham obeyed God, circumcising his sons and male house members, because he believed the promise. Gen 17 says, “and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you”, so that we evidence that we believe, and God demands EVIDENTIARY faith, the faith that has actions, if we'll enter the benefit of honoring God and the fellowship of the Spirit.

Hear me. You will not enter in, except by faith - “So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief” (Heb 3:19). Israel didn't enter the Promised Land because they didn't believe the promise was faithful and they could overcome by Christ alone. So, before they go in the second time, they must show their faith in Christ, for He works by faith, and He blesses those who trust Him (Josh 5:9).

Secondly, God cares for us. We read, “So it was, when they had finished circumcising all the people, that they stayed in their places in the camp till they were healed” (vs8). Israel rested while they recovered from the pain of circumcision, and God patiently bears with us, knowing our frame, remembering how hard it is to obey. The Lord sweated as if it were blood, striving against sin (Luke 22:44). And, obedience is the most impossible thing in the world; it is painful and costly. Yet, He comforts us by the word saying, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition”, that they fight against you and Christ, “but to you of salvation”, that you are hated for honoring Christ and loving them, “and that from God” (Phil 1:27-28). The gospel not only demands, but also gives, and rewards obedience.

Thirdly, the Lord Jesus is why we conquer. We read, “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, Are You for us or for our adversaries? So He said, No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come” (vs13-14). He had His sword drawn out when He met Joshua, showing that He's no spectator. He is the “Commander of the army of the Lord”, and He is why we conquer sin. He paid for it, and He subdues it by the Spirit, while our mind is fixed on Him, feasting upon His death and redemption for us, receiving the grace that He gives. God is not watching to see how we'll do, but He's revealing that He is with us, so we'll win.

Finally, Joshua obeyed, honoring God. Not only did he circumcise Israel, but he “fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, What does my Lord say to His servant... And Joshua did so” (vs14-15).

Obedience is the path of peace, removing the reproach and removing the distance between man and God. He blesses faith.

“That You May Fear the Lord Your God forever” (Josh 4)

(vs21-24), "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ "then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; "for the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, "that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever."

First,remember the goodness of the Lord (vs1-7). Remember that God in Christ has done everything for you by His grace,and you are SAFE because of Him. We read, “When your children ask in time to come, saying, What do these stones mean to you? Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever” (vs7). Don't credit men or yourself, and don't turn away from Who saved you. A problem is that we think it was the preacher, or the feeling, or the deed, and trusting these things, in any measure, is wrong. We need reminding because this walk of faith has a single message of Christ and Him crucified, and we're to remember and focus on Him. Don't be distracted. Don't put your hope anywhere else. Remember you're saved by the grace of God through the blood payment of Christ and by the power of the Spirit. This is a fact, not a story. The bible is the record of truth, and we meet God with this hope before us.

Secondly, obedience elevates us (vs8-14). If we obey God, then God will show Himself faithful to the obedient, and people will fear, knowing that God is with us. We read, “On that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they had feared Moses, all the days of his life” (vs14). If we LIVE godly, then conviction will come to others (2 Cor 4:2). There is a power beyond human reason; it is the power of obedience manifesting itself to every man's conscience in the sight of God. Concern yourself only with obedience to God's will, and God WILL exalt you in due time as promised. He will give a reward, even as He highly exalted His Son who laid down His life obediently as the remission of sins.

Thirdly, if we want salvation, then we must believe on Christ (vs15-18). We read, “And it came to pass, when the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord had come from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet touched the dry land, that the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks as before” (vs18). It isn't enough to want to be saved or even want to do good. God's wrath is only appeased by the Lord Jesus, the ark of the covenant, the place where God meets sinners in peace (Ex 25:22).

I spoke to a friend that I've known for some time on this matter, again. She wants to serve God, and she wants atonement for sins, but she is slow to learn that the only atonement for what I've done to my fellow man is to die in hell eternally or have it paid by Jesus Christ. I cannot be “nice” the next time around. I can't lock myself into a torture chamber and exact punishment from me suitable to cleanse the conscience before God. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, the Perfect One who died and rose again, is the One who put away sin. Believe on Him, that He reconciled you to God, paid for your sins, and has earned you the power to sin no more, or you won't be accepted. There is PEACE for all believers, and there is WRATH for all who don't implicitly believe Christ, casting the whole relationship with God upon Him, dealing with God by Him, and believing that honoring Him is the right course of the forgiven.

Finally, God's hand is mighty to save so that He might be feared and reverenced for wrath-removing forgiveness (vs22-24). The fact that He saves sinners and gives us life makes Him the object of all worship. He is NEEDFUL.

“Stood Firm On Dry Ground” (Joshua 3)

“Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan” (vs17).

Obedience involves believing on Christ for the cleansing and removing of sins, for reconciliation with God accomplished by Someone Else, and receiving the benefits of His one act as why all grace is yours. This path of righteousness must be followed; it is the only way to avail with God, by believing that Christ SUCCEEDED and He's rightfully gracious. We read, “and they commanded the people, saying, When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before” (Joshua 3:3-4).

The blood of Christ is a sin-conquering payment, so that WRATH cannot hurt us. His death, the sin-bearing atonement that He made, is enough for God's wrath to be pacified and the way to blessings be on “dry ground” of no condemnation. His death means that we have paid and will not die! We read again, “And Joshua said, By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canannites and the Hittites and the Hivites and the Perizzites and the Girgashites (all the enemies of sin and fear) and the Amorites and the Jebusites: Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over before you into the Jordan... And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, the waters that come down from upstream, and they shall stand as a heap” (vs10-13).

This wasn't anything short of miraculous: the raging flood of God's wrath on sin, the wrath that punished Christ, that flooded the world and rained brimstone upon Sodom and Gomorrah, this FURIOUS wrath of God is pacified, so that He has PEACE for all who believe. Hear John who says, “And He Himself is the propitiation [appeasement] for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:2). Joshua wrote, “So it was, when the people set out from their camp to cross over the Jordan, with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest), that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho” (vs14-16).

Augustus Toplady said it best:

From whence this fear and unbelief?
Hath not the Father put to grief
His spotless Son for me?
And will the righteous Judge of men
Condemn me for that debt of sin
Which, Lord, was charged on thee?

Complete atonement thou hast made,
And to the utmost farthing paid
Whate’er thy people owed;
How then can wrath on me take place
If sheltered in thy righteousness,
And sprinkled with thy blood?

If thou hast my discharge procured,
And freely in my room endured
The whole of wrath divine,
Payment God cannot twice demand—
First at my bleeding Surety’s hand,
And then again at mine.

Turn then, my soul, unto thy rest!
The merits of thy great High Priest
Have bought thy liberty;
Trust in his efficacious blood,
Nor fear thy banishment from God,
Since Jesus died for thee.

Lastly, this gospel isn't wishy-washy; it is sure. They stood “firm on dry ground”, and we are safe in Christ completely. There is no partial wrath for the past; it is ALL washed away, all forgiven, all gone, and all appeased by blood. There is nothing for you but God's hand from here on out. Take it by faith, “Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan” (vs17).