“THE BOOK OF JOSHUA ~ a Type & Shadow” A-007 (05-26-21) Joshua 1:16-18
--------------------------------------------------------------
Joshua 1:16-18 (NKJV) says, “16 So they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses. 18 Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage.”
● For the children of Israel, their journey did not begin in Egypt or in bondage, yet that was all they could remember at the time. Some complained about life in general, even though this appearance realm is temporary by way of the fact that nothing here stays the same.
● What the children of Israel should have remembered was that they were not born of Adam, but they were born or birthed forth from out of the womb of God. So, after all of that, the people told Joshua at the Jordan river, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.” They further told Joshua in verse 17, “Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses.”
● For me, if I am going to faithfully follow a leader, I would want to know that they are aware of their divine origin and connection with Father. And if the children of Israel had this attitude during their entire journey, they would have saved themselves many years of suffering and difficulty while in the wilderness.
● The people of Israel are just like any other people, in any other generation, in that whether they have a good or bad attitude toward God, their response does not change things for a leader who is doing their best to serve others. But a people who love the Lord and have a great attituded in serving others, make a contribution to any generation so that a difference can be made in their surroundings.
● It was that the people obeyed those who ruled over them, or in a better way of stating this, they faithfully obeyed those who led them. The people were willing to sacrifice their time and talents for the greater good of mankind. We all know that it makes a powerful statement when one person sacrifices his or her own time, money, and preferences in order to help someone else have a better life.
● How did a couple of million people make it on a journey that was over 5,000 miles long with all of the complainers, and those who got tired and were ready to give up? It was because of all of those who maintained a right attitude and were an encouragement to the rest of the group. This type of selfless effort is what is called love. When you devote yourself to others because of love, then the heart of the Father is displayed from within you.
● Now, I would not think God had anything to do with their decision to put someone to death because they were one of the complainers or doubters, but it does seem that discipline would at least be in order. Again, Joshua had the job of clearing out the wandering tribes of Canaan, so the Israelites could have a home. And the phrase wandering tribes is an allegory for the wandering thoughts within the soul of mankind.
● When serving in a group or being a part of any group, whether 2-million, or 2-hundred, or even 20 people strong, it takes keeping your own thoughts in line with the truth of who Father created you as. As these people purposely walked from Egypt to Canaan, well over a 5-thousand mile journey, there must have been a wave of love flowing among them, even if they had to keep reminding themselves each day of the journey.
● Joshua 1:16-18 is a picture of love in mass-quantity, due to the numbers of all of the Israelites there. Maybe you have an opportunity to join with a group that God is calling you to make some sacrifice of your time and talents. Are you holding back because you have been burnt by church groups before? What about the talents God has gifted you with that can be of benefit to others in that group?
● Think about these 2.5 tribes who thought about not only the consequences of their decision to follow the leadership before them, but what about the consequences of NOT being there for that person or small group that needs what God has placed within you. Just remember that the church group you were once a part of was not God who did you wrong.
● Remember that the leader who may not have served you well, was not God who actually when above and beyond by creating you and placing His life within you. There is always another way to look at things around you, and instead of complaining about the journey, join in with the group and be one who remains “strong and of good courage” and impart what the one standing or sitting next to you actually needs.
● I hope you were enlightened and inspired as you “dig deep into the well of Father’s mind within” as you watch this video lesson!