0496. 487. Joshua, the Leader

487. Joshua, the Leader

Jos_18:1-10; Jos_24:1-31

Bible characters illustrate some one grace in their lives. In Abraham we see faith, in Joseph purity, in Moses meekness, in David courage, in Jonathan love, in Samuel faithfulness, and in Joshua carefulness as a leader. Joshua was a—

1. Victorious Leader—Jos_18:1. Under him the children of Israel were able to subdue the land of Canaan and its inhabitants. It may be well for the teacher to recall some of Joshua’s victories, and then remind the scholars that Joshua was a type of Christ—Heb_4:8-15, R.V. When we are led by our Lord we shall never be defeated. The Conqueror always conquers.

2. Discriminating Leader—Jos_18:2-10. Several of the tribes had not received their portion of the land, so Joshua sought the Lord’s mind as to what they should receive, but omitting Levi, as their inheritance was in the priesthood. In Christ believers are blessed with all spiritual blessing—Eph_1:3. Every blessing is in Him, and He is every Blessing, so that all we need for advancement in the spiritual life is found in Him (see the seven “in whom’s” in Ephesians); but we need to come to our Divine Leader to know what He would have us to do, for the truth of 1 Corinthians 12 and 1 Corinthians 13 is, that while all believers are one in Christ, the Holy Spirit gives us the gift for His service as He wills.

3. Reminding Leader—Jos_24:1-13. Joshua reminded the tribes and their leading men what God had done for their fathers in the past, and for them. This is strikingly illustrated in the personal pronoun “I” in relation to the Lord God of Israel. We can only indicate and leave the teacher to connect with New Testament truth:

Salvation, “I took… led… multiplied… and gave” (Jos_24:3).

Possession, “I gave” (Jos_24:4).

Commission, “I sent” (Jos_24:5).

Emancipation, “I brought” (Jos_24:6-7).

Extermination, “I brought,” “I gave,” “I destroyed,” “I delivered” (Jos_24:8-12).

Benediction, “I have given you a land” (Jos_24:13).

In all that was done Joshua saw the hand of God. It was not his prowess, but God’s power. Joshua reminded the people of their obligation to Him who had done so much for them—see Psalms 78.

4. Commanding Leader—Jos_24:14-25. Joshua’s clarion call was to “serve the Lord.” From Jos_24:14-31 we find the words “serve” and “served” occurring no fewer than fifteen times, and they cluster round three predominating thoughts, namely, whom we are not to serve, the gods with whom our former life were associated or who may come before us—Jos_24:14, Jos_24:16, Jos_24:20; whom we are to serve, the Lord—Jos_24:14-15, Jos_24:18-19, Jos_24:21-22, Jos_24:24, Jos_24:31; and how we are to serve Him: in sincerity and in truth—14. Service to the Lord takes in all our life, as the London shoeblack recognised, when he said to the gentleman who commended him for the care he took in shining his boots, “I’m serving the Lord, sir, in serving you.” Any drudgery is divinity when it is service for Him.

5. Faithful Leader—Jos_24:26-28. Since Israel pledged themselves to serve the Lord—24, Joshua made a covenant with the people, and set up a stone in Shechem to be a witness of their affirmed allegiance to the Lord. Joshua did not take any chances with a fickle people, but set up a monument to remind them of their responsibilities. No service is of any moment unless it is done in heart-faithfulness to the Lord. “I want to please the man who has appointed me to my work,” was the reply of an employee, when a man complained of his action when he was carrying out his employer’s directions.

6. Powerful Leader—Jos_24:31. The influence of Joshua was felt after his death, for we are told, “Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua.” Those who truly live for the Lord always find that their works follow them—Rev_14:13. The old American song of “John Brown’s soul is still marching on” speaks of the continuance of influence, and so does the hymn which tells us that “kind words can never die.” The best memorial that we can leave behind us is the fragrance of a holy life, and the most abiding epitaph is the memory of a helpful influence.

By: DR. F. E. MARSH