Bible Study - Joshua (1) - Accept Your Leadership Role - Joshua 1:1-9 - June 7, 2015

Bible Study – Joshua (1) – Accept Your Leadership Role – June 7, 2015

This is lesson one (1) in our series entitled “Be Strong and Courageous: Leadership Lessons from Joshua.”

Our focus scripture is Joshua 1:1-9.

As you lead, submit to GOD’S authority and direction.

For the next six (6) weeks we will study Joshua. The name Joshua means “the 

LORD saves” or “the LORD delivers.” In Greek “Joshua” is equivalent to “JESUS.”

It is believed that Joshua wrote the Book of Joshua, except for the ending, which it is believed to have been written by Phinehas, the high priest.   

As you recall, because of disobedience, GOD told Moses that, neither he nor Aaron would enter into the Promised Land as recorded in Numbers 20:2-12:

2 There was no water for the community, so they assembled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The people quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord. 4 Why have you brought the Lord’s assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? 5 Why have you led us up from Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It’s not a place of grain, figs, vines, and pomegranates, and there is no water to drink!” 6 Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the doorway of the tent of meeting. They fell down with their faces to the ground, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. 7 The Lord spoke to Moses, 8 “Take the staff and assemble the community. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will yield its water. You will bring out water for them from the rock and provide drink for the community and their livestock.” 9 So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence just as He had commanded him. 10 Moses and Aaron summoned the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels! Must we bring water out of this rock for you?” 11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. 12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you (applying to both) did not trust Me to show My holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you (applying to both) will not bring this assembly into the land I have given them.”

Numbers 20:22-29 records the death of Aaron on Mount Hor.

But GOD allowed Moses to see the Promised Land as recorded in Deuteronomy 34:1-10:

1 Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which faces Jericho, and the Lord showed him all the land: Gilead as far as Dan, 2 all of Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Mediterranean Sea, 3 the • Negev, and the region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. 4 The Lord then said to him, “This is the land I promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you will not cross into it.” 5 So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, as the Lord had said. 6 He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab facing Beth-peor, and no one to this day knows where his grave is. 7 Moses was 120 years old when he died; his eyes were not weak, and his vitality had not left him. 8 The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab 30 days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses came to an end. 9 Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses. 10 No prophet has arisen again in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.

Do you think the lesson GOD taught Moses regarding complete obedience was a message and teachable moment for Joshua? I think so, because GOD needed a person who would follow HIS directions to the letter, as we will see.

What kind of relationship did Moses have with GOD?

Exodus 33:11:

11 The Lord spoke with Moses face to face, just as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his assistant, the young man Joshua son of Nun, would not leave the inside of the tent.

Moses’ had a personal relationship with GOD but such a relationship did not cut Moses any slack when he disobeyed GOD. GOD was true to HIS word and Moses did not enter the Promised Land but HE allowed Moses to see it.

Of the over one million adult Israelites who left Egypt, Joshua and Caleb would enter the Promised Land because they trusted GOD. GOD’S desire is for HIS children to obey HIM completely. GOD called Joshua to obediently serve HIM in times like these. Joshua succeeded Moses as the leader of the Israelites for the next phase of GOD’S plan, which was for them to enter into the Promised Land. It was a must for Joshua to be completely obedient to GOD’S leadership, as we will study.

First, the Israelites must accept Joshua and trust his leadership. Joshua had to have faith in his relationship with GOD as their leader. A lot of elements had to come together to transition leadership from Moses to Joshua and accomplish the objective of GOD’S promise. GOD had a role and Joshua and the Israelites had a role for there to be success. GOD had a grand plan of revealing Himself to the world through the success of the Israelites as their 

One and Only True Living GOD.

Let’s consider GOD choosing of the Israelites as HIS people as recorded in Exodus 19:1-6: (This was after GOD had delivered the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and they were camped at the base of Mount Sinai. GOD had demonstrated HIS presence to the Israelites all along their journey. Now was that opportune moment to bring together the physical with the Spiritual.)

3 Moses went up the mountain to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain: “This is what you must say to the house of Jacob, and explain to the Israelites: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Me. 5 Now if you will listen to Me and carefully keep My covenant, you will be My own possession out of all the peoples, although all the earth is Mine, 6 and you will be My kingdom of priests and My holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.”

The Israelites agreed to GOD’S covenant and they became GOD’S chosen people on Mount Sinai.

The Israelites’ physical journey toward the Promised Land continued. As they approached the Promised Land, Moses sent 12 spies to scout the Promised Land. The spies returned with a report of a land flowing with milk and honey but there were giants in the land. Two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, had faith in GOD and voted for them to more forward because GOD would give them success. But the lack of faith of 10 spies prevailed and the leadership made the decision not to enter the Promised Land. Their lack of faith in GOD to give them victory resulted in the Israelites wandering in the wilderness for 40 years until the adults died off, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb. But during those 40 years GOD’S presence and care was very visible with the Israelites.

Now that the Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land, it was imperative that their leader and the people follow GOD’S directions because HE was establishing them as HIS nation. GOD would reveal Himself to the pagans through the revelation of HIS mighty works as manifested through the Israelites.

The same is true today. Christians belong to GOD and when we obediently allow HIM to manifest Himself through our lives, HE is glorified.

What do we hope to learn from this quarter’s study? Christians are leaders in some capacity – home, workplace, socially, politically, school and the list goes on. All Christians are called by GOD to obediently serve HIM. Christians can only obediently serve GOD naturally by having an intimate, viable relationship with HIM. When Christians have the right relationship with GOD, they, in turn, have the right relationship with others and GOD’S wisdom flows through them to deal with the issues that life brings.

Is GOD active in your life or do you feel like HE is taking a leave-of-absence?

As we study Joshua, what leadership qualities do you see in him? What was Joshua’s attitude toward GOD? What is your attitude toward GOD?

Let’s explore!

Let’s read Joshua 1:1-6:

Encouragement of Joshua

1 After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, who had served Moses: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now you and all the people prepare to cross over the Jordan to the land I am giving the Israelites. 3 I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads, just as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will be from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great Euphrates River —all the land of the Hittites—and west to the Mediterranean Sea. 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 “Be strong and courageous, for you will distribute the land I swore to their fathers to give them as an inheritance.

GOD confirmed the death of Moses to Joshua. How GOD delivered the message was not indicated: That is, did GOD speak directly to Joshua audibly or Spiritually? What mattered was the fact that Moses was dead and Joshua was the new leader of the Israelites. The death of Moses did not mean the end of the journey for the Israelites. In fact, it was just the beginning, under new leadership that would require for all to have faith in GOD.

GOD revealed the land the Israelites were to possess with HIS help. It was GOD’S land which HE gave to the Israelites. This would be a joint venture. GOD promised that HE would be with them just as HE was with Moses and that HE would not leave them or forsake them. That is GOD’S promise to us as Christians as well.

Notice something very important in verse 3 “I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads, just as I promised Moses.” The Israelites had to take action to be physically stepping upon the land. Stepping and continuing to step was their acts of faith. GOD had already given them the victory, they had to claim it!!!

This is so true of many things in our lives. GOD gives the victory but we have to act upon it by claiming it. Always look to GOD for your victory because HE is the only one with the power to defend and defeat your enemies.

GOD encouraged them to be “Be strong and courageous, for you will distribute the land I swore to their fathers to give them as an inheritance.” (This is the first time GOD used these words)

Let’s read Joshua 1:7-8:

7 Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. 8 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.

Verse 7, is both to encourage and to warn Joshua and the Israelites. GOD repeated the words “be strong and very courageous” for the second time.

The leaders and the people are to observe “the whole instruction.” The Israelites knew what GOD had told Moses and Aaron regarding speaking to the rock versus striking the rock to produce water. Such a thing may seem silly but to GOD it was profound disobedience. Why would speaking to a rock versus striking a rock and water coming forth matter?

To me, it was all about the coming of the Promised Messiah, The Rock, JESUS. It was not something mankind to do physically but it was all about the gift of GOD to redeem mankind from a torrid Spiritual thirst that could only be quenched by the living Spiritual water from GOD alone. Who could bring forth living water out of a solid, dry rock except GOD! CHRIST, the living water would bring GOD’S hope to those who are lost to sin and death and that same living water would provide nourishing water to those who have placed their faith in CHRIST to Glorify HIM.

GOD’S message to Joshua was clear; learn from the disobedience of Moses and Aaron because I will ask you to trust ME in the days to come which will require strict obedience.

Let’s read Joshua 1:9:

9 Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

When GOD makes a promise HE keeps it. Notice the use of the words “be strong and courageous” for the third time. HE reminded Joshua and the Israelites that when they encountered things that would cause them to question HIM, they must remain “strong and courageous” and continue to trust. They were not to be afraid or discouraged. Why? It was because “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

One thing sure and two things certain when GOD gives you instructions, HE intends for you to follow them completely just as HE reveals to you. That goes for churches and denomination’s who are changing GOD’S message in order to be politically correct. We must keep in mind that GOD loves the sinner but hates the sin. Blessings!!!