The Story of God: Joshua

Moses successfully led the people to freedom.  However, he never led them to rest.  There was just waiting.  Because they didn’t wait well, they never enjoyed God’s rest.  

Their mission/purpose was GET TO THE LAND OF PROMISE and REST.  

But the people formulated their own mission:  HAVE MY NEEDS MET!  As a result, they never found rest.

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 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. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.  Joshua 1:1-4

THE TIME HAD FINALLY COME.  IT WAS CRYING TIME. 

THEY KNEW THERE WERE PEOPLE IN THE LAND.  THAT FACT HAD SCARED OFF THEIR FATHERS and GRANDFATHERS.  SO GOD REASSURED THEM.

No one will be able to stand 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 ancestors to give them. 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:5-9

NOTICE THAT STRENGTH AND COURAGE ARE LINKED TO OBEDIENCE AND ALL THREE ARE RELATED TO REST. 

WHEN WE ARE WEAK, AFRAID, OR REBELLIOUS, OUR SOULS DO NOT REST.

MAYBE THE REASON YOUR SOUL IS SO RESTLESS IS THAT YOU ARE LIVING IN FEAR OR REBELLION.  

So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’”  Joshua 1:10-11

THE PEOPLE WERE BEING GIVEN REST!  GOD WAS ANSWERING THEIR BIGGEST PRAYER.  

MAYBE GOD HAS ALREADY GIVEN YOUR SOUL REST.  LIFE IS NOT PERFECT, BUT YOU’RE FORGIVEN.  YOU HAVE PURPOSE.  YOU’RE RESTING IN GOD.  

But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, 13 “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’ 14 Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. 

Joshua 1:12-14

WHAT?

NUMBERS 32 RECORDS THIS OATH TAKEN BY THEIR FATHERS.  THE TRIBES OF REUBEN AND GAD HAD ASKED MOSES TO LET THEM SETTLE EAST OF THE JORDAN.  THEY WERE CONTENT TO STAY WHERE THEY WERE WANDERING.  IT WAS NOT WELL RECEIVED BY MOSES BUT HE AGREED...ON ONE CONDITION

You are to help them 15 until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you….Joshua 1:14-15

ONLY THEN COULD THEY GO HOME AND REST

No one rests until everyone rests

Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. 18 Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”  Joshua 1:16-18

NO ONE RESTS UNTIL WE ALL REST!